This year, we’re doing something different for Advent! I’m calling it “The 12 Days of Christmas Schedule.”
Each day, we’ll read part of the Christmas story, do an act of kindness (related to the story), and the kids will receive a small gift (that also ties into the act of kindness).
Want to join us? Here’s the schedule! (Scroll down for pictures!)
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.)
*Note: Some of the Acts of Kindness will need to be planned ahead.*
DAY 1: December 13
Read: Luke 1:26-38 (Mary)
Gift: Art supplies of some kind (we got this glitter glue from Mondo Llama, and I split the glues between the girls)
Act of Kindness: Draw a picture and mail it to a grandparent (or great grandparent)
Explanation: Mary was going to be a mom! Let’s honor someone else in our lives who is a parent by drawing a picture for them!
DAY 2: December 14
Read: Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph)
Gift: Play-doh
Act of Kindness: Find an old toy or clothing item to pass on to a friend (or drop it in a donation bin near you)
Explanation: Joseph had to be flexible with some very unexpected news! Playdough is also flexible, and so is giving something we already have!
DAY 3: December 15
Read: Luke 1:39-45 (Magnificat – Part 1)
Gift: Christmas Stampers (this is the kind we got)
Act of Kindness: Write a thank you letter to God, listing 3 things you’re thankful for
Explanation: Elizabeth and Mary praised God for sending Baby Jesus! What can we praise God for? And we can decorate the letter to God with our stamps!
DAY 4: December 16
Read: Luke 1:39-45 (Magnificat – Part 2)
Gift: Christmas Ornament (I found $5 ones at Target, but I could have found some at Dollar Tree!)
Act of Kindness: Go Christmas caroling somewhere (ideas: around your neighborhood, at your office, at a senior center, etc.) – if they’re still young, the kids can “play” toy instruments/shakers while the parents sing
Explanation: Decorate the Christmas tree as we get in the spirit of praising God for Christmas time!
DAY 5: December 17
Read: Luke 2:1-7 (The Journey)
Gift: Cookie Cutters (found $1 ones at Target!)
Act of Kindness: Make cookies for a friend or neighbor, as a surprise!
Explanation: Mary and Joseph must have been hungry and tired on their long trip. I bet they would have loved if someone brought them cookies to cheer them up! How can we cheer up the people around us, who might also be on hard journeys of their own?
DAY 6: December 18
Read: Luke 2:6-7 (The Birth)
Gift: Fun Dinner Plates (Found $3 ones at Target, but also could have tried Dollar Tree or Bed Bath & Beyond)
Act of Kindness: Bring dinner (or a bouquet of flowers – you can find beautiful, inexpensive ones at Trader Joe’s!) to someone (this will take some planning ahead of time)
Explanation: When someone has a new baby, other families bring them meals to help take care of them! Who can we bring a meal to?
DAY 7: December 19
Read: John 1:1-5, 14 (The Word)
Gift: Cute Bandaids (I found DIY Build-A-Bear Bandaids – making your own with stickers! – for just $2 on sale at Target)
Act of Kindness: Ship (or drop off) a simple care package to someone who is sick (or color a picture to send them)
Explanation: When God became flesh, He felt all pain just like we do! How can we take care of someone who’s feeling pain?
DAY 8: December 20
Read: Luke 2:8-14 (Shepherds – Part 1)
Gift: Christmas Stickers (I ended up getting Christmas window cling stickers in the dollar bin at Target!)
Act of Kindness: Send a Christmas letter to someone living far away, using your stickers to decorate it!
Explanation: The shepherds were far away from their families, in a field alone with sheep at night. I bet they would have loved a letter!
DAY 9: December 21
Read: Luke 2:15-20 (Shepherds – Part 2)
Gift: Fun Hair Clips or Headbands (I found a fun Christmas lights headband at Michaels for $3 with a coupon, some Frozen hairbands at Dollar Tree, some clip in colored hair extensions at Marshalls for $5, and some glittery unicorn clips at Target for $5).
Act of Kindness: Offer to babysit for someone without local family – but you’d have to plan that ahead (OR FaceTime with someone far away while wearing your new hair accessories!)
Explanation: The shepherds spent time with Mary, Joseph, and their new baby. Being a new parent can be really tiring. Maybe we can spend time helping with a family with young kids too!
DAY 10: December 22
Read: Matthew 2:1-6 (Wise Men – Part 1)
Gift: Candy
Act of Kindness: Hand out candies at mommy or daddy’s office / to their work friends (this needs to be planned ahead) – OR drop off a small bag of treats to a friend or neighbor
Explanation: The wise men were traveling to bring gifts to Baby Jesus. Maybe we can bring candy gifts to friends today!
DAY 11: December 23
Read: Matthew 2:7-12 (Wise Men – Part 2)
Gift: Something sparkly! (For Natalie, I found sparkly Elsa dress up shoes at a second-hand store for $3, and for Ellie I found sparkly red shoes for $4. I also got beautiful sparkly matching ice skate shirts at Marshalls for $7 each.)
Act of Kindness: Make and decorate a Christmas star decoration for a relative or friend (here are some star craft ideas)
Explanation: The wise men followed a sparkling star to where Jesus was. Now we can wear our sparkling shirts AND make a beautiful ornament for a friend!
DAY 12: December 24, Christmas Eve
Read: Luke 2:25-32 (Temple Prophecies)
Gift: Christmas Pajamas (We got these from Children’s Place!)
Act of Kindness: Write a letter telling your sibling (or parent) something you love about them (or draw a picture showing your love)
Explanation: Simeon and Anna had lots of beautiful prophecies about Jesus and how amazing He was. Can you encourage someone today, by telling them the things you love about them?
What ideas would you add to this Kids Advent Schedule?♥️
Here’s how our Advent went:
- The girls LOVED the different activities and gifts! I spent extra on these because we aren’t getting them big gifts on Christmas Day. I still felt they were great deals, although we could have spent a lot less if we wanted to!
- We ended up getting COVID during this which cut back on the creative acts of kindness, but we still had a great time.
- I ended up summarizing many of the Christmas story passages to make them more kid-friendly and understandable. Someday I’ll have to write these summaries down and share them!
- Hope you enjoy these pics!
That Allergy Mama 