I shared a little bit last year of a tradition that I started during my son’s first Christmas. Each day in December, we have a different activity planned for us as a family. Before you think I’m crazy and that this is an impossible undertaking, most of the days are simple activities we can do at home like watching a Christmas movie or reading a Christmas book. It is our way of being more intentional about the holiday season and to enjoy each day before it rushes away.
My grand idea for this tradition is to eventually have 25 presents for him to open. Each day it would be a hint of some sort as to what we would do (like ingredients for cookies, or the popcorn bowl for watching a movie). Most things would represent what we’re doing, not be an actual item I would need to purchase.
However, with a toddler, I don’t expect 25 wrapped gifts to last all month! So instead, I just keep a list of all the activities.
Here are a few of the things we have on our list:
• Going to the Aquarium. This isn’t a Christmas-y activity, but it has become something we really look forward to each year. Drew loves it and so do we!
There’s a couple of great ways to save some money with this activity too! On December 8 & 9, 2018, they are celebrating Dollar Days; you only pay $1 for admission!
December also falls into their Maryland Mornings discounts. If you are a Maryland resident and purchase your ticket on site, you can get $10 off an adult ticket and $5 off of children’s tickets when purchase before noon on a any day but Saturday!
• Baking cookies. What’s Christmas without some Christmas cookies?
Do you have a cookie that you save for Christmas time only? We make a buttery, pecan, powdered sugar coated delicious cacoon cookies. Sooooo good!
•Winterfest of Lights. This is another one of our favorites. We head down to Ocean City and check out their awesome lights! Every night this month, starting at 5:30, you can board their team than takes you through the lights.
•Watching Christmas movies. Some popcorn, blankets, and classic Christmas movies will be taking up a few of our December nights!
•D.C. Zoo Lights. Last year was the first year we went to the zoo lights at the Washington D.C. zoo. It was so fun! It’s a free event, which seems crazy with all they have for you to see. 
•Christmas parades. This year looks like it’s going to be harder to hit all of our “usuals”, but we are going to still going to be able to get to a couple!
•Make Christmas ornaments. We made some cinnamon ornaments last year. We are going to add some paper rings and birdseed ornaments to the list this year!
•Christmas tree craft. I found this cute little craft on Pinterest. We are going to give this a whirl one day this month.
•Visit the train display. This is something that a local man opens up every year for visitors. His collection is incredible and so cool to go see. I think that this will be the first year that Drew will really appreciate the display, so I’m extra excited to see him enjoy it.
• Reading Christmas books. This is another thing we will be doing lots of the days!
•Lights on the Bay. We’re checking out lights from the beach to the bay this year! These are a fun drive through light display at Sandy Point Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. (There’s a Groupon offer for it, too!)
I am excited for another year of making memories. I know that in the 3 years we have had this tradition, it has been so fun. Looking back at the pictures from last year while writing this post has made me so happy and I am all the more looking forward to starting the best month of the year!
If you’d like to follow along for what we specifically do each day, be sure to follow me on Instagram!
