Countdown to Winter Solstice

As a standard, every Black Friday i make a paper chain to start on December first and count down to the Winter Solstice. On the back of each link, i write one thing to make or do as a family...thus setting the tone for the holiday, about Family and not materialism.

This year, i decided to make this adorable little flag banner type...but i linked it all together with a cute pink ribbon. Each flag counts back to Solstice and has the day it corresponds to, and also some cute stars...all to represent the coming of the darkest and longest night...the Winter Solstice.

The backs are written in silver, and i chose from this list...

~ Write letters to the Winter Faeries (or Santa)
~ Make and/or mail out holiday cards
~ Paint wooden holiday magnets
~ Make and decorate paper snowflakes
~ Decorate the home and put up holiday tree
~ Send out Secret Faerie
 ~ Do something nice for someone else
~ Make home made holiday ornaments
~ Color holiday pictures
~ Decorate pinecones
~ Go for a walk and do a little scavenger hunt for winter animals/plants/trees (learn their names and uses)
~ Find/Make and decorate a Yule log
~ Adopt an endangered animal
~ Volunteer at the local food bank, animal shelter, soup kitchen
~ Donate food, clothing, coats to shelters
~ Go caroling for the elderly
~ Write your own 12 days of Solstice/Christmas song
~ Make a bird feeder out of a orange
~ Take a ride in the car, drink hot chocolate and look at all the holiday lights
~ Go caroling
~ Make holiday cookies
~ Family game night
~ Holiday movie night (with cuddles and talks after)
~ Holiday Story reading (more cuddles and talks)
~ Make salt dough ornaments
~ Make and play with magic fake snow (this can be done inside)
~ Make food for the reindeer (or in my house, faery friends)...be sure to not use anything with chocolate, glitter, or sugar, as these things are not safe for animals to ingest.
~ Set intentions for the upcoming year
~ Make dream pillows
~ Make stars and moons and suns to hang in windows (or draw them with window markers)

These are just some ideas we have used over the years in my family...but you can make or add your own also. :)

i will be posting pictures of the things we do this year!! i would love to see or hear about the things you do as well. :)