One of our Christmas family traditions is to select an activity for every day of December leading up to the big holiday. On December 1st, Jackson writes his letter to Santa. We always pick one night to drive to see Christmas lights. And decorating gingerbread houses is an absolute must! All of our activities get tucked into this adorable mitten garland, and Jackson pulls out a new activity every morning.
![mitten christmas advent calendar](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_bebd4cb627bf4887ac6329536376e0ad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_bebd4cb627bf4887ac6329536376e0ad~mv2.jpg)
You may have seen other advent calendar lists online before, so I wanted to share some of our favorite unique ideas that might be new to you! Maybe they'll become some of your favorite advent traditions too!
* See more advent ideas here!
1. Make Gifts for the Birds
We love watching the birds gather at our feeders all winter long! This is a simple project to do as a family to make sure your feathered friends get a little extra treat at Christmas.
![boy with bird seed on his fingers](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_928e199697684b6d82a1107680cedd12~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_928e199697684b6d82a1107680cedd12~mv2.jpg)
Materials
Cardboard tubes
Peanut Butter
Knife
Birdseed
Yarn or twine
Scissors
How to make it
1. Spread Peanut Butter all over a cardboard tube.
2. Roll the tube in bird seed until fully covered.
![birdseed and bird house](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_a00d576dbb234767be3b73e702b70570~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_a00d576dbb234767be3b73e702b70570~mv2.jpg)
3. Thread the tube with yarn and hang in a prominent spot for your bird friends!
![boy hanging bird feeder](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_7c65979ade124ae28ed2977ee1f150fc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_7c65979ade124ae28ed2977ee1f150fc~mv2.jpg)
2. Make a Grinchy Snack and Watch the Grinch Together
How cute are these easy (and healthy) fruit kabobs?! This is a great, simple recipe for your kids to make because it doesn't require a sharp knife to slice the fruit! Jackson (5) made these almost completely by himself.
![grinch christmas fruit snack](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_d07224a76e0347ce8fdb72fd39da233d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_d07224a76e0347ce8fdb72fd39da233d~mv2.jpg)
Ingredients
Green grapes
Banana, sliced
Strawberries, tops removed
Mini marshmallows
Toothpicks
![fruit on a cutting board](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_c4a0c44ed458428cbecc849c38ec4b25~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_c4a0c44ed458428cbecc849c38ec4b25~mv2.jpg)
How to make it
Thread fruit onto a toothpick in this order - grape, banana slice, strawberry, marshmallow.
![boy making a christmas snack](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_74d8453398ea4c288b5dae79c16c59e3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_74d8453398ea4c288b5dae79c16c59e3~mv2.jpg)
Plate your snack, curl up under a blanket and watch your favorite version of the Grinch!
![boy holding fruit](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_9a2648319a0c4b3db5b4b1c273d1c7ad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_9a2648319a0c4b3db5b4b1c273d1c7ad~mv2.jpg)
3. Make Your Own Ornaments
We make ornaments every year, but this is our first time making these absolutely adorable yarn letters! They are so simple and inexpensive to make, and the entire family (even my husband!) enjoyed making them! These make beautiful ornaments but would also look great at stocking tags or even gift toppers!
![christmas ornaments](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_2cb72dfa8cb045d5a4bfecca72861770~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_2cb72dfa8cb045d5a4bfecca72861770~mv2.jpg)
You and find the tutorial to make them here!
![christmas stockings](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_bbfaf000cd43497c9b9c8e901698b8f2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_bbfaf000cd43497c9b9c8e901698b8f2~mv2.jpg)
I hope you find some inspiration here! Do you have an advent calendar you use every year? What are your favorite advent or Christmas activities to do as a family? Share in the comments!
![yarn letter ornaments](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3eb591_de84f31bad374676b058a3678f986da3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_135,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3eb591_de84f31bad374676b058a3678f986da3~mv2.jpg)
From my family to yours, we wish you a season filled with love, health, and lots of joy!
xoxo, L, T, J, F, J, & E