Now that the boys are a little older (remember that Jonathan was only 11 months on Christmas Day last year?) and more capable of doing things, Jenny is putting together the 2011 Box Family Advent Calendar of Greatness. In layman’s terms, she’s planning a fun Christmas-related event each day in December through the 25th. In the Advent Conspiracy tradition, we’re trying to keep the Christmas season focused on Jesus, giving, and family rather than stuff for ourselves. Here are some of the highlights so far:
- Nov 30 – Put up the tree as a surprise after the boys go to bed. Brenden has requested the big tree this year rather than the 4.5′ tree we used last year when Jonathan was a baby.
- Early Dec – Take the boys shopping for our Salvation Army angels. We try to adopt angels that are near the boys’ age, and this year we’ll get their input regarding which clothes and toys to choose.
- Dec 3 – Make Christmas cookies with my mom, sister, and her kids at my mom’s house like Lisa and I did as kids
- Dec 10 – Instead of exchanging gifts among the adults, Jenny’s side of the family is visiting the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History together and having dinner afterward – experience over stuff.
- Various – Drive around looking at Christmas lights, watch one or more Christmas movies, do other etc.
- Mid Dec – Bake something tasty with Jenny’s parents and take it to her grandfather in his nursing home
- Dec 21 – Dallas Jingle Bell Run as a family
- Dec 24 – Christmas Eve service at Irving Bible Church
Plus we’ll get together for Christmas dinner with my immediate family and my dad’s family in Wichita Falls. It will be a busy month, but we’re excited about the festivities, and I think the boys will have a blast.
What are your plans for next month?