Do you remember making paper chains when you were a kid?

I remember making a paper chain out of red and green construction paper when I was in kindergarten. It was attached to a bell, also made out of paper, with the instructions to take one link off of the chain a day to help count down the days until Christmas. This memory inspired me to make a similar countdown for my girls.

What makes this countdown special is that each link of the chain has an activity for us to complete as a family as we countdown the days until Christmas.

I made a PDF document so that you can participate as well. Download the PDF here.

The activities in this countdown are simple, but some are more “involved” than others. I didn’t want them to be difficult tasks, but I wanted to make sure to include activities that help me teach my girls about the true meaning of Christmas. I also wanted to put an emphasis on family time.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of this time of year, or worse - to completely tune out our family members and get our faces stuck in our phones or the TV. My hope is that we can use these activities to grow closer as a family this Christmas season.

The List:

Bake cookies

Drive around & look at Christmas lights

Help someone in need

Visit an older relative who lives alone

Play in the snow

Donate unused toys, home goods, etc.

Make hot cocoa

Watch a Christmas movie

Read the Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-20)

Read a Christmas picture book

Say Merry Christmas to everyone you see

Take a picture with Santa

Have a family game night

Sing Christmas carols

Mail a letter to Santa

Make an ornament

Make a Christmas craft

Tell the Christmas Story from memory

Talk about favorite Christmas memories 

Make s'mores

Write/decorate Christmas cards

I also included a few chains that say “get creative - make up your own activity!” On these days you can do whatever you want - you can even repeat activities that you really enjoyed.

Putting It All Together

I let the girls color on the bell while I prepped the strips of paper for the chains.

After I cut out all of the strips, I arranged them into a pattern. I also tried to put our activities into an order that fits our family best. For example, mailing a letter to Santa is at the beginning of the chains. You can put them into any order you choose.

Making the chain is the best part, because CHILDHOOD. lol.

Form a circle with the first strip and fasten with tape or a staple. Run the next strip through the first circle and fasten. Repeat with the rest of the strips, making a paper chain.

Attach the chain to the bell, and hang the bell up where everyone in your family can see it.

Starting on December 1st (today), tear one strip off each day, and complete the activity as a family. You will complete your last activity on Christmas Eve. Have Fun!