Christ-Centered Christmas Countdown

http://ift.tt/1NAXL1H

Count Down to Christmas with 

CHRIST-Centered

Family Activities and Traditions!

 

We just LOVE Christmastime and all the fun crafts, presents, and goodies that come with it. But as parents, we're always trying to find ways to make more meaningful memories with our family. With all the chaos and busyness of Christmas, we want to make sure we're focused on the REAL reason for the season. You might remember that last year we shared LOTS of fun, Christ-centered family activities and traditions. Well, it was one of our all-time, most popular posts, so we figured you all were trying to focus more on keeping Christ in Christmas too! That's why this year we decided to take it a step further and put our favorite ideas onto our own...

 

Christ-Centered Christmas Countdown!

 

[pinit count="horizontal" always-show-count="1"
url="http://ift.tt/1NAXMCE;
image_url="http://ift.tt/1XyFp0I; description="Free printable activity cards to make your own DIY Christ-Centered Christmas Countdown. What a great way to make meaningful memories and family Christmas traditions! http://ift.tt/1p4MuWQ;]

Of course, we wanted YOU to be able to make your very own DIY Christmas countdown too, so we asked one of our favorite designers, Kristin Clove, to create some Christ-Centered Christmas Activity Cards. And we have to say, they turned out absolutely gorgeous!

If you haven't checked our her shop, CdotLove, you really need to! We're always drooling over her custom designs. {Make sure you stop by her facebook page to leave a quick "thank you!" and let her know the Divas sent ya.}

To Make Your Own Countdown You Will Need:

• Our Printable Activity Cards
• White Cardstock
• A Laminator and Laminating Pouches
• A 12x12 Nativity Print 
• A 12x12 Frame
• Sticky Tack
• Scissors

Here's How It Works:

First, print our Christ-Centered Christmas Activity Cards onto white cardstock.

Cut and laminate each card.

Next, frame your 12x12 nativity print in your 12x12 frame. {You can chose any 12x12 print that you like, but this one is my absolute favorite! It's just gorgeous!}

Now, simply use sticky tack to attach your 24 favorite activity cards to the glass of the frame, covering the picture. {We've included 30 cards, just in case some of them don't work for your family.}

You should end up with 4 rows with 6 cards on each.

Each day in December, choose one activity to do together as a family. When you've completed the activity, remove the card from your frame. As Christmas approaches, you'll slowly start to see your nativity print.

By Christmas morning, you'll be able to see the full picture of Christ's birth.

So Simple! It's as Easy as...

One

Two

Three

Want to Know What's on the Activity Cards?

For your convenience, we've listed each of the activity cards below. Many of them are linked to other posts with more details, ideas, and free printables to make the activities even easier to pull off! {We're ALL about quick and easy during the busy holiday season!}

*TIP: You might want to pin or bookmark this post now so you can refer back to the list below quickly each night when you pick a new activity.

• Make a Christ-Centered Christmas Playlist
  • {See the top of this post for over 50 Christ-Centered Christmas Songs to choose from!}
• Watch Joy to the World or The Nativity Story
• Cut and Color a Nativity Scene
  • {Here's another fun nativity scene printable set using toilet paper rolls.}
• Make a Gingerbread Nativity Scene
• Go on a Family Nativity Scavenger Hunt
• Talk About the Symbols of Christmas
• Have a Bethlehem Dinner
• Hang a Jesus Stocking and Fill it With Letters to Jesus
• Go Caroling at a Nursing Home
• Make Birthday Cupcakes for Jesus
  • {Click here for free "Happy Birthday Jesus" cupcake toppers.}
  • {Click here for free "Happy Birthday Jesus" party hats.}
• Attend a Live Nativity or a Messiah Concert
• Talk About the Legend of the Candy Cane
• Have a Christ-Centered Coloring Party
  • {Scroll down to the middle of this post for 15 Christ-Centered Christmas coloring pages.}
• Do Random Acts of Christmas Kindness
  • {Click here for a printable list of Holiday RAOK ideas.}
  • {Click here for free printable RAOK cards.}
• Make a Baby Jesus Ornament for the Tree
  • {Click here for an ornament craft for younger children.}
  • {Click here for an ornament craft for older children and adults.}
• Visit a Widow or Write Christmas Cards to Your Grandparents
• Make a Gratitude List and Count the Gifts Jesus Gave Us
  • {This is a great video to watch together as a family to talk about how "He is the gift!"}
• Go Stargazing and Talk about the Christmas Star
• Watch Mr. Krueger’s Christmas or A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Put Thank You Notes on the Doors of Homes That Display Nativities
• Donate Old Toys to a Charity
• Share Your Favorite Stories of Jesus
• Volunteer as a Bell Ringer or at a Soup Kitchen
• Read and Act Out the Nativity Story
• Send a Christmas Card or Package to a Solider Overseas
• Organize a Family Service Project
• Turn Off the Lights, Light a Candle, and Talk About the Light of Christ
• Take Christmas Goodies to Your Local Police or Fire Station
• Deliver Small Christmas Gifts to a Children’s Hospital
• Sing Silent Night and Talk About What the First Christmas was Like

Oh, and we've also included a few BLANK activity cards as well, just in case you want to add your own, personal family traditions.

This would also make an AMAZING Christmas gift idea for family and friends! It's a gift their families can use for years to come!

Ready to get started?!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR CHRIST-CENTERED CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN PRINTABLES!

Now, go make some Christmas memories!

For even MORE fun ways to keep Christ in Christmas, check out our free Printable Nativity Masks and our popular round-up of Christ-Centered Christmas Ideas!

Read More

The post Christ-Centered Christmas Countdown appeared first on The Dating Divas.

from The Dating Divas http://ift.tt/1NAXL1H
via IFTTT