So after making and hanging our envelopes for our 25 Days of Christmas, we have been having a blast doing them. My son is just THRILLED each day when I tell him it’s time to open his envelope. He even usually remembers what number is next without even seeing it. Here are some of our highlights:
Day 1: Write and mail letter to Santa
He was more than happy to sit down and dictate his letter. He made a specific point of telling Santa that he was happy it was snowing that day, that jet fighters planes are loud, and that the jet fighter guy jumped onto a big plane (we had been to the Aviation museum a few days before.)
After asking for his gifts (sports and musical instruments topped the list) he asked for a small dragon (???) and musical instruments for his sister. This was a hilarious activity.
Day 2: Paint a Christmas Tree for the Wall
We ended up finger painting the tree. Paint + kids = fun. So this was another success.
Day 3: Sing Jingle Bells, get a special holiday treat
Hilarious. He was first of all so excited when I read the paper. Then kept singing the song. Over and over (I did get it on video!). Finally, we shared Smarties 🙂
Day 4: Dessert for Supper, Supper for Dessert
So, I wasn’t sure what to expect here. It was a Friday at least so that helped. I did have a few tricks up my sleeve for this one. First, I told him we’d open the envelope when daddy got home from work (to avoid the day long ‘can we eat yet?). Also, I chose to make him Bacon and Eggs for supper, probably his favourite meal. Lastly, while I was cooking (I also made salmon cakes for dh and I) he nibbled on cheese and bacon, so he had something in his belly.
When dh got him, he was excited to say we had to open the envelope – ‘number 4!!’. I got it. He likes to ‘read’ each one each day. And every day he tells me it either says ‘ice cream’ or something involving chocolate (it happened on Day 3, so it could happen again I’m sure he figures!).
My husband read what it said and I acted all ‘no way! it doesn’t say to have dessert for supper! Holy cow it does! Lucky!”. I was 100% sure he’d pick ice cream, it’s his dessert of choice.
I said to him “What would you like for dessert?” – he responded: “Chippies!!”. Okay, yes, he loves chips and we did have a bag. But I opened the freezer and said “You can have anything, even ice cream before supper”. His response? “No, chippies! chippies! chippies!” Picture the biggest smile on his face possible, wide eyes and jumping up and down.
He enjoyed his chips. Then ate his bacon and eggs. Success!
Day 5: Enjoy Hot chocolate
Simple, but well enjoyed by all of us.
Day 6: Select at least 2 of your toys to give away to children who need toys
I wasn’t sure how much he could get ‘needing’ toys or how other children may not be as fortunate as him. So I explained, simple, that not every child is as lucky as us, and some don’t have as many cool toys like he does and let’s pick some toys to give to those kids.
I did steer him in the direction of some toys that I was looking to get rid of, but then he kept going through and picking things. We selected about 5. At one point he took a toy he really likes and said ‘other kids would love this too” and went to put it in the bag. So sweet. I told him since he still played with it and loved it that he can keep it, but that was really nice of him to share.
Needless to say, our 25 Days of Christmas has been a huge success so far. We are really enjoying and appreciating each activity. But what is really special to me is how he gets so excited when it’s time to open the envelope. He takes it, we go to the same spot on the carpet, he ‘reads’ what he thinks it says then I read it and we do it.
The funny part? I can’t tell you how excited I am to see what’s in the envelope too! I check the day before to see what’s coming up (and to be prepared) but that’s been so fun!
Can’t wait to see what this week brings!
