It's not too late to make it a great Advent - 3 ideas for you and your family

So I was feeling a bit STUMPED on how to make these next few weeks really special.  And then I was feeling like DOWN that Advent started this past Sunday and we didn't even pull out our wreath yet.  BUT instead of beating myself up about it or letting myself get goofy and anxious, I decided I would simply go on the hunt for some practical things that we could do this year and DO THEM (even if we are starting late)!  

Here are some of my favorite finds.  I bunched them into three groups:
-Acts of Service
-Crafts/Decorations
-Daily Reflections

Join me in making it a great Advent, Catholic Mama. It's not too late.

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ACTS OF SERVICE

Adopt an individual or a family in need.  Many parishes and organizations have programs set up and make it easy to help others.  Also consider adopting a family in need in your parish or school who may not be on any official list, but could really use some extra kindness and love.  

Use Kindness Elves (call them Advent Angels?) to encourage daily or weekly acts of kindness.  LOVVVEEEE this! Read more at TheImaginationTree.org.  

* Don't forget to lead by example.  Start by doing a few acts of kindness for your own kids.  Check out 10-surprises-for-kids-that-wont-cost-you-a-dime.


Prepare a Manger for Baby Jesus
A great activity for kids to do during Advent is have a manger for Baby Jesus. Every time they do a good deed or make a sacrifice, they get to add a piece of straw to the manger. Hopefully by Christmas Baby Jesus has a nice soft bed to lay on! Read more at Catholic Icing.

CRAFTS / DECORATIONS

Set up a manger scene in your home.  When I was young, it was my job to set up the manger scene when the decorations came out.  After my mom passed away, my dad gave me the manger scene and now I think of her every year when we put it up.

Kids can make their own manger scene with tips from CatholicIcing.   

Buy or make an Advent Wreath. This flameless Advent wreath from KarenInMommyLand can be made with items that most of us already have in our homes.    

I found an adorable Advent arrangement on Etsy and bought it as a birthday gift for a few of my favorite peeps.

DAILY REFLECTIONS

Advent Adventure from Holy Heroes is great for kids.  Subscribe here.

Don't miss Bishop Robert Barron's Reflections.  Subscribe here.

Click here to subscribe to Catholic Mom Danielle Bean's 'Daily Advent Prayer'.