Advent Calendar

This year I decided it was time that we started creating holiday traditions for our family. I love the idea of advent calendars, but I wanted the idea to be more than just a way for us to gain some extra holiday pounds. Instead, I wanted to make the whole countdown process "interactive." After searching several blogs,I concluded that I would wrap up treats and a holiday activity for us to open and do each day through the month of December. So far we've done things like:

1) Go to Starbucks for warm drinks (I got apple cider, Rob got peppermint hot chocolate)

2) Watch a Christmas film

3) Make homemade marshmallows and hot cocoa (YUMMY)

4) Go buy a new Christmas CD to listen to (which we are going to do today)

While the idea is not completely evolved, I think it has some good potential. I didn't include several of my ideas this year because I did not feel like they would be very fun until we have older children (like making a real gingerbread house, which I really want to do, but I just don't think is worth all of the work for just Rob and I). Other ideas (going to outdoor Christmas events put on by the city) are just no feasible with a little baby. Despite these roadblocks, I am looking forward to getting in to the holiday spirit by celebrating just a little bit everyday.