Ditch the traditional advent calendar for a magic moment one instead

I’m just putting the finishing touches to our activity advent for this year {see some of the activities we’re including here} – last minute as ever! Christmas can be a crazy time of year, with so much to do and not enough time to fit it all in. If we aren’t careful we can lose the magic in the rush to recreate a magazine-style ‘perfect’ family Christmas.

I think that the most magical family Christmas moments come in the simplest of wrappings. Remember, it’s not in things that we find true happiness but in the experiences we share with others.

So, count-up to Christmas with this special happiness filled advent calendar.

1^st December Put up your Decorations everywhere!

2^nd December Make a Christmas Alphabet think of 26 things beginning with each letter.

3^rd December Go on a candy cane hunt indoors or out

4^th December Make Christmas biscuits (ones with a boiled sweet in middle are especially gorgeous at Christmas time)

5^th December Go tinsel bombing (like yarn bombing but with tinsel!)

6^th December Create a Christmas hat or buy and wear really silly ones

7^th December Make something nice to share (mince pies are good) even popcorn

8^th December Antlers and bells day – wear antlers all day and sing jungle bells often

9^th December Make paper Christmas trees with rolls of a3 paper

10^th December Have a rocking robin party – wear red bibs and flash mob your front room

11^th December Make and take Christmas cards to neighbours and friends

12^th December Make hot chocolate and drink it outdoors

13^th December Go to a care home and sing some Christmas songs or visit an elderly person

14^th December Dress up in sparkly outfits

15^th December Sing we wish you a merry Christmas to your family, neighbours or in public!

16^th December Make a gingerbread house (even just with ginger biscuits and icing)

17^th December Learn a new Christmas Song

18^th December Go outside at night and find a star

19^th December Wrap yourself up in wrapping paper like a present #allwrappedup

20^th December Make some Christmas playdough – add cinnamon, mixed fruit or mixed spice

21^st December Make handprint cut-outs and make a wreath for the door.

22^nd December Make paper chains – who can make the longest one?

23^rd December Choose your favourite from the past 22 days and do it again!

24^th December Make reindeer food and sprinkle it on your path.

These wonderful ideas come from Shonette Bason-Wood, who is the co-author of Happiness – your route-map to inner joy. Available now on Amazon. Find out more about Shonette at www.spreadthehappiness.co.uk