I meant to post these earlier, but got side tracked. These are some really cool sites I found when I was working on my Christmas sidebar. (If you haven’t checked it out yet, there are new sites to visit every day of December)
The Christmas Songbook– Christmas sheet music PDF file
Audrey’s Christmas Page– an unbelievable list of links
We have always celebrated advent in our home. When my oldest was young, he and I made an advent wreath of our own but time took it’s toll and the wreath is just a memory. Years ago my mother gave me this and we have used it ever since.
(tried to get a close up off the figures, but this is as close as my camera gets without totally blurring the picture)
It’s really cool because the heat from the candles move the propellers and the scene below spins. Each night at dinner the kids take turns lighting the candle(s), reading a Scripture and then we discuss a related topic.
We also have various other ways to count down the days. We have always had the traditional open the doors advent calendars but we also have used other ways in addition to the calendar. In the past we have made paper chains with verses on them, hung tiny candy canes on a line with tiny clothes pins, put 25 kisses in a jar, and used a chalk board to keep track. This year we are doing something a bit different. We are doing a different project each day to tick the days off. Some have been successful projects, some not so great. I’ll share more about that tomorrow.
Here are some Advent calendar sites for you check out. It’s never too late to count down the days.
Spirit Home Advent – all about advent with Scripture readings
Make your own calendar sites:
About.com Advent Calendar – countdowns to Christmas projects
Online Countdowns:
Teaching Mom’s Advent Calendar – This one is a must see unit study calendar with everything you need for a complete study.
Homeschooled-Kids.com Advent Calendar-An interactive advent calendar.
About.com Homeschooling – online advent calendar with recipes, crafts, games and more for each day .
The Woodlands Junior Advent Calendar
and
Advent Countdown Christmas Around the World – Each day there is a new geographical question and answer about how Christmas is celebrated around the world.
And we mustn’t forget getting organized for the holidays.
So many great resources. Thank you, I am always looking for new ideas. We also had an Advent Candle thingy that was operated by the heat from the candles when I was growing up.
*Kristie*
As always, great links….thanks so much! My in-laws have one of those spinning things, and I've always coveted it.
Great poem below, by the way. I missed a couple of days….
Thanks for the great sites. Guess what? I have been on your site for about 20 minutes listening to your Christmas music. My dc have been leaping/dancing around the room and asking for more at the end of all the songs. Thanks for the evening entertainment.
Blessings,
4sweetums