Some ideas we did this year to celebrate Advent: Making an Advent wreath. Claire also loved singing "O Come Emmanuel" every night while lighting the wreath. She listened to several Christmas carols in the car during Advent and really learned the words to a few great songs. Her favorites are O Come Emmanuel, Away in a Manger, and We Three Kings.
St. Nicholas brought both girls Christmas books: for Claire, he brought Donkey's Dream and for Catherine he brought Who is Coming to Our House.
Perhaps Claire's favorite part of Advent was 'Playing Manger." This consisted of Claire first assigning roles" (I will be Mary, she will be Joseph, and you will be the three Kings). Then (on a good day), dressing up like Mary, including the baby in the womb, and riding the stick horse around and knocking on doors asking "Is there Room in the Inn?" Catherine (as Joseph) follows her around, and then Mom or Dad (as the Three Kings) present the Baby Jesus with gifts. However, by the end of Advent, this turned most often into: "I will be the Baby Jesus" Translation: wrap me up in a blanket and I will fake cry for the next 20 minutes. We have some room to grow.
Nativity craft:
