It's the .:Most:. Wonderful Time of the Year! 10 of Our Traditions for Advent and Christmas~ Wreaths, Trees, Recipes, Crafts, Stories, Santa, Science & Savoring w/LINKY

Despite the ads and commercials telling us that the Christmas season is here, 

we actually have this wonderful, preparatory, redemptive span of time

that tends to get "lost" amid the hustle of December....: advent.

So as we began to decorate the house and strategize the calendar

for December, I decided  to gather ideas in a roundup of sorts of  our family's 

advent-ish and Christmas-y  traditions.

This advent's schedule looks a bit different than it did in  previous years.

As the kids get older and their outside commitments and extra curriculars,

 even within the parish community,

  cast a wider net  and fill more boxes than I'd like on the calendar

I find I have to guard our

family's most precious commodity....time...even more than ever.

Numerous invitations and opportunities will have to be declined

 this month in order to do so......

in order to  widen the margins and crate more white space...

in order  to pray over the advent wreath and read our

Jesse Tree verses. 

Just a few minutes of prayer per night, as a family.

That's all I can hope for and write in on our calendar.

Here's my collection of rituals and reflections

....I can assure you, friends,

especially given my less-is-more rant, above,

that these activities are simple and require little to no prep.

Maybe an idea or two will speak to you

 to adapt into your'own domestic church!
I'd love to get an advent idea exchange going! 
You're welcome to share in the combox a ritual or anything, really
that your family loves!!
Here goes~~~

Our Jesse Tree Traditions + Everything You Need to Start Your Own!

Celebrating the Great  O Antiphons~  

Resources for Simple and Meaningful Activities 

The Santa Debate and Honesty~ 

My December  Catholic Mom.com column

and the post which stirred a great deal of controversy and deleted comments.....

Hard to believe

6 Ways My Family Takes the Expensive OUT &
 Puts the Frugal IN the Christmas Season ~  

And You Can Too!

35 Frugal, Creative, Educational, Homemade and Faith -Filled Christmas Gifts 

& Stocking Stuffers for Kids

Festive Christmas Kitchen:  

Gingerbread Houses and........  

Chocolate Covered Pretzels~

This Advent, Allow the Spirit.

my advent 2013 Catholic Mom.com column

What Garlic Knots, Roof Surfing and the Beach Boys Have to Do With Advent~

 Or: How Our Family Keeps Christ in Christmas Linky

This post is an anchor/host of the

 Catholic Bloggers' Network advent 2013  linky...
TONS of awesome posts are linked!

By the way, if your kids are fans of hands-on science and

 The Magic School Bus, check out this amazing subscription box deal !!

The $10/ month  offering is good through the end of October. 

Also--don't forget: just a few hours remain
 in the Ultimate Homemaking bundle sale!

Interested? Check it out here--

100% money back guarantee!

Thank you for spending some of your precious time today

here at my home on the web! 

Have you signed up to receive my posts in your email inbox?

   If not, just click here to 

subscribe to Campfires and Cleats by email 

quickly and easily  so we can be in touch regularly!

You might wish to follow on Facebook as well.....

If you are shopping at  amazon and Target. 

or shopping for Halloween costumes, 

why not consider clicking through my link? 

In this way, I will receive a small commission on the purchase.....

at no cost to you.

THANK YOU!

Until next time,

~Chris

BTW, I'm offering photo services and customized

photo packages for your blog or business!
< Subscribers receive a deep discount! >