#AdventatTrinity Family Advent Activities Electronic Version: Copy and paste to share on your social media platforms
November 28: What is Advent? Advent is observed during the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day. It is a time to reflect and prepare our hearts for the upcoming holiday. This Advent, use the daily activities posted here to celebrate the season, break the monotonous routine of quarantine, grow closer as a family, and remember the true meaning of Christmas. Even in 2020, we can still make this the best Christmas yet! Join us at facebook.com/trinitchurchmnkids. Share your pictures and spread some joy! #AdventatTrinity
November 29: First Sunday of Advent: HOPE Make an advent wreath as a family: https://funfamilycrafts.com/printable-advent- wreath “Light” the first candle Read Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. God promised to send a Savior. We are filled with hope because we know Jesus was born on the first Christmas to be our Savior. Additional reading: https://thelife.com/advent-week-1-the-candle-of-hope #AdventatTrinity
November 30: Disney Christmas Celebration Watch: The Disney Holiday Singalong (ABC) Play Disney Trivia: https://parade.com/1041219/alexandra-hurtado/disney-trivia/ Make felt Disney ornaments: https://family.disney.com/craft/olaf-ornament/ #AdventatTrinity
December 1: The Countdown is on! Make a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xluXsO7IX9U. Or, print this version with Bible verses for each day: https://www.flandersfamily.info/web/2015/12/01/advent-christmas-chain- free-printable/ Watch: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS) Make and send a Christmas card to a US Soldier. Deadline for mailing is Dec. 3rd. Send cards (no envelopes, no glitter) to: USASOA, Christmas Cards for Our Troops, 714 Farmington Road West, Accokeek, Maryland, 20607 #AdventatTrinity
December 2: Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree Watch: Christmas in Rockefeller Center, Radio City Christmas Spectacular (NBC) Design the best Christmas tree ever: http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring- pages/simple-christmas-tree #AdventatTrinity
December 3: Bake & Take Watch: The Voice Holiday Celebration (NBC) Make cookies or treats together. Not a baker? Try these 40 no-bake Christmas Cookies & Treats: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/no-bake-christmas-cookies/ Or, these 15 super easy and cute Christmas treats: https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/easy-cute-christmas-treats/ Take treats to others and share the Christmas joy! (See tomorrow’s activity.) #AdventatTrinity
December 4: It is better to give than to receive. Discuss: What was your favorite Christmas present you ever received? Make a Christmas craft, card or gift for your neighbors and surprise them with some holiday cheer by leaving something on their door/porch. Here’s an idea -- make a Christmas door hanger: https://thepeacefulmom.com/diy-holiday-door-hanger-with- free-template/ #AdventatTrinity
December 5: Christmas Around the World Learn about Christmas celebrations around the world and how to say Merry Christmas in different languages: https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/ Discuss: What holiday traditions are special in your family? #AdventatTrinity
December 6: Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE “Light” the second advent candle Read: Isaiah 40:3-5. Additional reading: https://southridgechurch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2.- Advent-Peace.pdf Have a picnic in front of your Christmas tree #AdventatTrinity
December 7: Candy Cane Night Watch: The Legend of the Candy Cane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhmhI2vn3Ls Printables & Devotional: https://thecraftyclassroom.com/2015/02/08/legend-of-the- candy-cane-printables Eat candy canes! #AdventatTrinity
December 8: Christmas Letters Write a Christmas letter to a family or friend far away and put it in the mail so it arrives by Christmas. Include a picture that you have colored for that person to display throughout the season. https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring- pages/holidays/christmas-coloring-pages/ #AdventatTrinity
December 9: Get your Grinch on! Watch: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical (NBC) Get your Grinch on with these crafts and activities: https://www.fandomspot.com/grinch-days-craft-ideas/ #AdventatTrinity
December 10: Pizza Night! Make, decorate and eat snowman pizzas! https://www.thefoodieskitchen.com/2019/12/19/little-foodies-snowman-pizzas-2/. Make it an entire snowman meal by making snowman bananas (http://onehandedcooks.com.au/recipe/christmas-banana-snowmen/) and maybe some ice cream (what else?) for dessert! #AdventatTrinity
December 11: Memory Capsule It’s been a rough year, but there have still been highlights! Cut out strips of paper and write your favorite memories from 2020 and store them to read next year. Store them in a jar or in a clear ornament that you can hang on your tree! Here’s an example: https://www.cleanandscentsible.com/christmas-memory-ornaments/ #AdventatTrinity
December 12: Popcorn and Movie Night! Watch: Rudolph, Frosty & Frosty Returns (CBS) Eat popcorn and/or try making a popcorn garland: https://sparkandpook.com/how-to- make-a-popcorn-garland-with-kids/ #AdventatTrinity
December 13: Third Sunday of Advent: JOY “Light” the third advent candle. Read: Matthew 2:10-11. Additional reading: https://www.myrivertree.org/church-life/2016/12/11/advent-week- 3-joy Create some joy in your home! Make it a family game night! #AdventatTrinity
December 14: Christmas Coupon Book Exchange Draw names within your family and make a coupon book for the person whose name you draw: https://www.onecrazymom.com/free-christmas-coupon-book-printable/ #AdventatTrinity
December 15: Gingerbread Houses Make gingerbread houses and decorate them as a family. Use what you have at home by making them out of graham crackers: https://www.happinessishomemade.net/make-graham-cracker-gingerbread-houses/ #AdventatTrinity
December 16: The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Discuss: What is your favorite Christmas song? Tell Alexa to play “100 Greatest Christmas Songs”, or tune into the Holiday for Kids station Turn up the music inside the house, or take it outside and go caroling! #AdventatTrinity
December 17: Minute to Win it! Play some Christmas-style Minute to Win it games with the whole family! Here are some ideas: https://www.happinessishomemade.net/christmas-minute-to-win-it-games/ #AdventatTrinity
December 18: Deck the Halls! Make a Christmas ornament: https://www.lifescarousel.com/christmas-ornament-for- kids/ Watch: Shrek the Halls (ABC) #AdventatTrinity
December 19: Enjoy a classic Watch, read, or act out “A Christmas Carol” together. Search for the movie on YouTube to find many different versions and pick your favorite. Or, watch The Guthrie Theater’s performance of A Christmas Carol online. This performance streams on-demand from Dec. 19-31st, $10 per household. https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2020-2021-season/dickens-holiday- classic/ Read a younger kids’ version of the story here: https://taleswithgigi.com/tale/64 You can even put on the play yourself at home: https://www.nonprofitprnow.com/AChristmasCarolforChildrentoReadOutloudRevisedas PDF.pdf #AdventatTrinity
December 20: Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE “Light” the fourth advent candle. Read: John 3:16-19 Additional reading: https://uncontrollinglove.com/2016/12/18/love-reflections-for- advent-week-4/ Watch: The Sound of Music (ABC) Make: paper snowflakes and hang them in your windows #AdventatTrinity
December 21: Bingo! Play a Christmas version of Bingo with some Christmas treats as the markers or prizes. Free Bingo printables can be found here: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/printable- christmas-bingo-games-1356265. This is a great game for a Zoom night with other family and friends! #AdventatTrinity
December 22: Storybook night Read “The Night Before Christmas” or another one of your favorite Christmas books as a family. Need ideas? http://www.bedtimeshortstories.com/top-10-famous-christmas- stories-kids #AdventatTrinity
December 23: Shine a Light Watch: The Great Christmas Light Fight (Season Finale) (ABC) Make memories: Drive around your neighborhood or community and look at Christmas lights. #AdventatTrinity
December 24: Christmas Eve Read: Luke 2:1-40 Light a real candle and read Luke 2 together as a family. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before you blow out the candle. #AdventatTrinity
December 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you for spending your Advent with us! We hope that you have made many happy memories together as a family during this time. We pray you have a very blessed Christmas! #AdventatTrinity