How Can I Make Christmas More Meaningful?

I'm sure as a parent or grandparent, you've asked yourself this question: How can I make Christmas more meaningful? I think one of the answers is that you start a few weeks in advance with a preparation time called Advent.  

This can be a stressful time of year, but also one of the most important and impactful times for you, as the parent or grandparent, to make really great and meaningful memories with your children. Today I want to share some ideas to help you do that. 

Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas happening the four Sundays before Christmas. Some people have never heard of Advent, so if you don't mind, I'm going to share my tradition with you. 

In my family growing up, among other decorations for Christmas, out would come our old advent wreath. This was just a simple metal ring with 4 candle holders covered with red berries and some fake evergreens. My mom liked everything in her home to look lovely and coordinated, which meant she used 4 red candles around the ring instead of the pink and purple candles that many people use. Anyway, we also had a fat white one in the middle of the wreath. Each Sunday for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we lit one more candle. So the first candle got lighted the first week, and then two candles the second week, and so on. On Christmas morning, we read the story from Luke 2 in the Bible and lit the white candle in the middle. It would stay lighted all day, symbolizing the birth of Jesus, God coming down to earth as a baby. For us children, these moments were magical--the anticipation that built as one more candle lit signaled one day closer to Christmas. The whole tradition reinforced to us that Christmas wasn't about us, about getting presents, about "family time," or even about giving. It was about something much, much, more wonderful. Christmas was about God giving Himself to the whole, big, lost, dark world--a baby, growing to a man, to bring light and hope to everyone. That is what those candles meant to me.

Do you want to start making your family's Christmas preparation more meaningful? Take 5 minutes a day, maybe at dinner or at bedtime, to incorporate some advent ideas in your routine. Here are some advent calendars, wreaths, and devotionals to get you started. Christmastime--specifically, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is primetime to be enriching kids lives through stories and art. Why not start with the greatest event in human history, the greatest story ever told, inspiring the greatest artwork ever made? Why not start this Christmas? Here are a few of my favorite resources to get you started: (The following are affiliate links, which means we receive a small portion of your purchase at no extra cost to you, which helps support Storygalorey! Thank you!) 
The Story of Christmas Advent Calendar by Carolyn Croll-24 miniature books to open on the days before Christmas.
Twas the Season of Advent by Glenys Nellist-beautifully illustrated book by an author I like.
The Wonder of the Greatest Gift by Ann Voscamp-an advent calendar that opens with a pop-up Jesse Tree inside, plus a simple devotional book that explains each day’s ornament. I wish this had been around when my kids were young.
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voscamp-these are devotions and activities the family can enjoy to make Christmas meaningful.
The Way to the Manger: A Family Advent Devotional by Jeff and Abbey Land-I love the collage illustrations in this one. Each day has a short reading, verse, and suggestion for families to do together.
My Advent Nativity Board Book by Tama Fortner-perfect for younger kids and busy families, this little book features cut-out cardboard pieces that kids can put together.
Felt Nativity Wall Hanging Calendar-We had a “mouse in a house” advent countdown like this when my kids were growing up--it was always fun for them to move the mouse each morning before Christmas!
Advent Wreath Ring -This is just a plain metal ring with holders for 4 candles. You can add your own real or faux evergreen boughs to create a beautiful advent wreath for your table.
Advent Wreath with Greenery-This is a simple advent wreath with the greenery included.  
Dripless Candles-Get whatever color or style of candles you like.
Cradle-to-Cross Wreath-This is such a cool company and I love this idea: a wooden wreath that works for both Christmas and Easter. Check out all their Christmas resources.

Want a printable copy of these ideas? Grab my favorite resources in a pdf.
Download the advent resources guide pdf now.

Happy preparing-the first Sunday in Advent is December 3!

PS. Did you miss my art and stories holiday gift guide? Here it is!