I've italicized the ideas that I actually used. Also, I printed this list out in duplicate before the month started so that I could easily repeat an activity if it proved to be a hit.
Activities are organized in three categories according to effort/prep, time, and cost. Having a huge menu of choices was key to making sure we had a little something to look forward to each day - big or small.
WHOLE FAMILY/WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Go to the Christmas market in city
Go ice skating
Have lunch at a special restaurant
Have our friends over for a special snack
Take a drive to see Christmas
lights
Take Christmas card pictures
Go sledding
Watch a Christmas movie
Go to a Christmas music concert
Caroling at Cloud Gate
See the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights
Wonderland Express at the Gardens
Ride the CTA Holiday Train
SOME PLANNING INVOLVED
Make a present
Visit Daddy at work for snacktime
Make pomanders
Gift shopping for
Daddy/Mama/brothers
Hang up mistletoe in the house
Make pinecone bird feeders
Make cookies & deliver to
neighbors
Make pinecone elves
Make meringue snowmen
Go for an afternoon nature walk
Bring home a Christmas tree
Decorate Christmas tree
Donate to a food or toy drive
Bake gingerbread men
Take city bus to library and check
out a Christmas/Winter book
SUPER EASY
Have hot cocoa and cookies
Write a letter to Santa
Make pipe cleaner ornaments
Make “woven” ornaments
Make paper snowflakes
Make gift tags
Blow ice bubbles outside
Make ice votives
Mail Christmas cards
Make a paper garland for the tree
Color in a Christmas picture
Have a Christmas Carols dance party
Drop coins in Salvation Army bell
ringer’s bucket
A chocolate kiss!
