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Direct your family back to the true meaning of the Christmas season with these fun, age-appropriate activities to focus on and celebrate Jesus - Emmanuel, God who is with us.
Ages 0-3
- Avoid making Christmas a "don't touch holiday" for little ones by giving them fun things they can touch. Move glass ornaments and lights up to higher branches on the Christmas tree and help your child make fun decorations for the bottom.
- Sing Christmas carols and read the Christmas story often throughout the month of December.
Ages 4-7
- Place the Christmas cards you receive in a basket on the dinner table and take turns drawing one out each night. Pray together for that person or family.
- Start a family tradition by picking out a new holiday-themed book to read aloud this month.
- Decorate ornaments for the tree with glitter and paint! Allow each child to choose one ornament to mail or deliver to a friend or family member.
Ages 8-12
- Decorate cookies and build gingerbread houses together as a family.
- Assign each of your children a country to research and report about how that country celebrates Christmas. Encourage interactive elements that involve preparing a traditional treat, song or dance. Pray for the people of that country so that they too might understand the meaning of God's love for everyone and the real meaning of the Christmas season.
Ages 13-18
- Plan a creative, COVID-friendly caroling outing as a family. Proclaim the birth of Christ by singing a few songs and reading Scripture passages outside of your local retirement homes, homeless shelters or in your neighborhoods.
All Ages
- Focus on the Family offers a free downloadable Advent calendar, allowing families to gather and reflect on the meaning of the season throughout the month. This is also a great resource to read through with family members or friends who you are not able to physically meet with this year. Whether it's a virtual video chat or a phone call, it's not too late to start this tradition and begin reading the daily devotions with your loved ones!