Christmas countdown activities

[SaltaKatten]

This year the last day of term is 18th so we will have 6 days before Christmas day. I'm a teacher and my dh is a stay at home dad /lunchtime supervisor so we will both be off work as well. I thought this year it would be fun to make a christmas countdown calendar and put a surprise activity of some sort on each day. We have a panto booked on the 23rd and the 24th is Swedish Christmas eve so we will be celebrating that then and open presents from the swedish grandparents. I'd love some ideas of things (preferable cheap) that we could do on other days. My children are 7 and 10, both girls and love crafts.

[SlatternIsNotSure]

An unexpectedly nice thing we did with the DCs was go in late night shopping. We didn't buy anything as we were 'done' shopping at that point, but just wandered about soaking up the atmosphere and looking at the lights and window displays.

[SaltaKatten]

That's a nice idea, thank you.

[d270r0]

Make christmas decorations, paper chains or tree decorations
Make a gingerbread house (can get sets form ikea, supermarkets)
Make christmas sweets, mince pies, christmas cake or pudding
Visit to see father christmas
Trips out to christmassy places (eg. We are going to westonbirt arboretum to see the trees lit up)
Any christmas markets near you? Or even a new christmassy dvd, trip to cinema to see christmas film
Write letters to father christmas

[SlatternIsNotSure]

Another thing we have done in the past was spend an evening with our friends. Coming up to Christmas is crazy busy and on the days immediately around the 25th we see family, so it was lovely to spend a laid back evening, take out meal and chat. Not necessarily Christmassy but a good time to connect with friends.

[PresidentUnderwood]

I'm planning a big craft project (crazy I know) probably to make a Tracey Island from Thunderbirds.

I always look at Pinterest projects with longing and just think it would be fun to collect things, plan, and create.

[ChristmasZombie]

Is there an outdoor skating rink near you? These seem to be popping up more and more every year.
A Christmas market, even a small one, will be fun. Just have a wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
Cinema.
Gather holly and pinecones in the park? Use them in some sort of festive crafty thing?
Christmas film day, with snacks.