Every year, I try to do an activity based advent calendar for Max (as well as a chocolate one - I’m not a meanie!). Last year I took it a bit easy and put chocolates in quite a few of the boxes, given that I was really suffering with pregnancy sickness and not really up to a lot of the things I’d have liked to do. So this year I’m intending to make the most of it and make sure that we do lots of Christmas things so that we’re really in the mood. Luckily my love of Christmas has definitely rubbed off on Max - he’s already asking to wear his Christmas jumper, and keeps asking if it’s Christmas Day tomorrow!

I often struggle with thinking of easy-ish things to fill up the days - it’s good to have a bit of a balance of days out, crafts, and baking, as well as family activities to bring you all together. I hope you get some good ideas from our list!

1. Go to a Christmas Market
2. Decorate the Christmas Tree
3. Make Christmas cards
4. Bake gingerbread cookies
5. Make a Christmas wreath
6. Buy a new Christmas decoration
7. Sing Christmas carols
8. Go to a Christmas party
9. Do a Christmas puzzle together
10. Make mince pies
11. Make a pillow bed on the floor and watch a Christmas film
12. Hang mistletoe and practice kisses
13. Make a paper garland
14. Make a bird feeder for the birds
15. Make paper snowflakes
16. Read a Christmas book underneath the lights of the Christmas tree
17. Sing Christmas carols around the piano
18. Drink hot chocolate
19. Look through old photos of previous Christmases
20. Talk about your favourite Christmas memory
21. Take a walk into the forest to visit Santa
22. Talk about your favourite Christmas memory
23. Make salt dough ornaments and hang them on the tree
24. Ride a Steam Train to visit Santa

What things do you like to do to get into the Christmas spirit? Do let me know, I love to hear your comments.