ADVENT CALENDARS + activities

You don't need an Advent calendar to know that Christmas is coming, but opening a little numbered door to reveal a prize is an idea that everyone—religious or not—can get behind. Here’s a brief history of Advent calendars and a few designs of this popular tradition.

ADVENT CALENDAR ORIGINS

Advent calendars begin on December 1 and mark the 24 days before Christmas. Today, most Advent calendars include paper doors that open to reveal an image, Bible verse, or piece of chocolate. The tradition dates to the mid-19th century, when German Protestants made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas.

                                                                          Taken from A Brief History of Advent Calendars BY SCOTT ALLEN

EXAMPLES  

24 Super Low-Prep Advent Activities

1. Decorate the Christmas tree
2. Set up the nativity scene (if you have one)
3. Read a classic Christmas book together
4. Make paper snowflakes
5. Write a letter to Santa and put it in the mail
6. Drink hot apple cider or hot cocoa
7. Wear something red or green
8. Sing Christmas carols
9. Eat breakfast for dinner
10. Make a Christmas card for a teacher or friend
11. Eat a candy cane
12. Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas (or another Christmas movie)
13. Wrap presents together
14. Take cookies (or a candy cane) to the neighbors
15. Look at photos from last Christmas
16. Have a cozy PJ’s day
17. Make snow angels (or leaf angels if there is no snow)
18. Call a family member or friend who lives far away
19. Color Christmas pictures for Santa or the elf
20. Do a random act of kindness for someone
21. Have a simple picnic next to the Christmas tree
22. Take a walk (or drive) to look at Christmas lights
23. Have a dance party to Christmas music
24. Set out cookies and milk for Santa

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                                                                                                 https://modernparentsmessykids.com/free-printable-advent-calendar-jokes-every-day-2/                  

                           Because Christmas is fun!

THANKSGIVING VOCABULARY + THANKSGIVING FOOD GAME

                    THANKSGIVING VOCABULARY 

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                       THANKSGIVING FOOD GAME

When is Thanksgiving 2021?

Thanksgiving doesn’t always fall on the same day of the yea, but it always falls on the same day of the week, Thursday.

This year, Thanksgiving will fall on Nov. 25, which is the fourth Thursday of the month. This has been the way that the date for the holiday has been determined since 1941. Before this, the holiday was traditionally held on the last Thursday of November.

The reason for this is a bit unclear. Going back to the earliest days of the tradition, Historians believe that Thursday was chosen because it was one of the more convenient days of the week to have an annual feast. For the early Puritan settlers, Sunday was the Sabbath. It’s likely that the early days of giving thanks were purposely scheduled not to interfere with the Sabbath. Also, Fridays were commonly days of fasting, making them inconvenient feast days for many people.

Since ministers would often give lectures on Thursdays in the New England area, Thursday seemingly became a convenient day for Thanksgiving. As the years went by, it became a tradition. By the time George Washington issued a proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving, Thursday had already been associated with feasts of that nature.

                                                                                                                                 By Michael Hollan | Fox News

How Is Thanksgiving Celebrated?

Thanksgiving in America is very family-focused. During the day, family and friends will come together and eat a large meal and spend quality time together.
Traditional Thanksgiving meals include dishes like sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, fruit pies, and other in-season foods like walnuts, potatoes, corn, squash, and mushrooms. Of course, this also includes the main course for meat-eaters, a turkey! 
Some families like to watch a Thanksgiving Day Parade or American football. The holiday has lost its religious associations over time, and is now mostly a time to practice gratitude and perhaps help others in need.

Watch the video for more information

https://www.twinkl.es/event/thanksgiving-2021