Something I try to do with the kids each holiday season, is some type of countdown to Christmas.  Some years I pre-plan all activities for the month, other years we have added Bible verses, one year we counted down with Hershey's kisses.  Each year the activities and schedules are slightly different but the intention is the same.  As much fun as it is to think about Santa, decorate, have family gatherings, and eat yummy food (all of which we do), our main focus should be the birth of Jesus.  I have to admit though, the years that I pre-plan typically are more stressful (for me).  I end of panicking at 10 o'clock at night because I have realized that I don't have all the supplies for the next day.  At which point, I begin shuffling to steal an activity from a different day.  This causes musical switcher-roo and I become the stressed out crazy Christmas mom.  I have learned it is better to just plan a few days at a time - way less stress. Yesterday, we kicked off the season with our Advent Wreath.  Today, the kids learned about the history of the Christmas tree and made "conifers".  One of the books I use to reference throughout our activities is The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel.  It is such a great tool for the education behind different activities.  I had never used this book until last year when a friend introduced me to it.  It has become such a great addition to our holiday traditions. Cone-ifers are small edible Christmas trees made from ice cream cones, green icing, and mini M&M's.  YUM! Christmas Tree Tidbit -  Evergreen trees are used as a symbol of God and the shape of the tree represents the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.