What do you do on the lead up to Christmas?

[Fluffysnow]

All I've done up to yet is christmas shopping, wrapping gifts and putting up the decorations.
This year I want to get way more festive and wintery/christmasey on the lead up to Christmas.
It's too late to make a cake unfortunately.
So far I have planned:
Ice skating with the other half. (Been together 4 years this December and still haven't been)
Christmas movie MARATHON with the bf (she claims to have never seen a Christmas film)
Taking my bf and her little sister to see the reindeers at the garden centre.
Baking Christmas cookies with either my niece or my bf and her sister.
Going to a Christmas market (idk if they're a think in the US but there big in the UK and I've never been)
Can't think of anything else, I want to do at least one christmasy thing a week but it would be nice to fill all my days off from work with Christmas activities and I get three a week.

[ornamentmaven]

Sounds like a good plan! There are Christmas markets here in the USA, but they generally aren't called "Christmas markets". Some of the larger cities have them. In small towns, these seasonal markets may be called craft fairs, church bazaars, flea markets, etc.

[Fluffysnow]

We have small ones in small towns, that and generally a it rubbish, and just like the standard saturday marked but with christmas music playing from the CD stall rather than old songs, so we're going to travel in to a city closer to us to get the full feel for it.
It's a shame that (as far as I know) we don't have any out door ice skating rings near by, going in doors will be a bit or a let down, would much rather be out in the cold.

Any other ideas of things that can be done during christmas?

[Papa_Christmas]

We go here every year.
http://txchristkindlmarket.com/

[ornamentmaven]

That looks great Papa

[Bishop1954]

I try to get all my stuff (presents, decorating, even baking) done early so I can do other things like... Christmas lights driving, watching Christmas shows/movies, visiting etc all the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. :christmasdinner:

[Mistletoe]

I bought an Advent "Calendar" in the form of 25 red envelopes that have a card inside them for each day, with suggestions for the season (Why Don't You...), a suggested movie or song, a Did You Know, and a quote. On Fridays there's an additional card in the envelope for a Festive Friday alcoholic drink. They're elegantly done, saying how many days left until Christmas with the date on the envelopes. They come with the stack wrapped in a bow. I've enjoyed them and looked forward to opening them each day. Kind of like a mini present. I'm going to gift them to people next November. The shop owner doesn't have them currently listed, but says they'll be back next year.
BoldLifeDecor | Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/BoldLifeDecor)

[Bishop1954]

I bought an Advent "Calendar" in the form of 25 red envelopes that have a card inside them for each day, with suggestions for the season (Why Don't You...), a suggested movie or song, a Did You Know, and a quote. On Fridays there's an additional card in the envelope for a Festive Friday alcoholic drink. They're elegantly done, saying how many days left until Christmas with the date on the envelopes. They come with the stack wrapped in a bow. I've enjoyed them and looked forward to opening them each day. Kind of like a mini present. I'm going to gift them to people next November. The shop owner doesn't have them currently listed, but says they'll be back next year.
BoldLifeDecor | Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/BoldLifeDecor)

Very nice and something to look forward to each day. I have a North Pole radio that broadcast messages from various elves, Mrs Claus and even Santa from Dec 1st till the 24th. A green light will flash when a message (or messages) are there... :dizzy:

[Mistletoe]

Very nice and something to look forward to each day. I have a North Pole radio that broadcast messages from various elves, Mrs Claus and even Santa from Dec 1st till the 24th. A green light will flash when a message (or messages) are there... :dizzy:
Fun!

I have something similar, I have to press the button each day to hear Mickey counting down the days- he lets me know if something's happening that day (A Christmas party, baking cookies, going shopping, etc).

I don't think I could have too many of these types of things. :hopxmas:

[Bishop1954]

Fun!

I have something similar, I have to press the button each day to hear Mickey counting down the days- he lets me know if something's happening that day (A Christmas party, baking cookies, going shopping, etc).

I don't think I could have too many of these types of things. :hopxmas:

I agree. I also have a Christmas radio I picked up at Hobby Lobby this year and there are weather messages, commercials and of course several classic carols... :tree:

[Mistletoe]

I agree. I also have a Christmas radio I picked up at Hobby Lobby this year and there are weather messages, commercials and of course several classic carols... :tree:
I'll have to look into getting more Advent things for next year.

[Bishop1954]

You know, that is one thing I have never gotten (advent calendar), but for 2022, I will do just that... :santa2:

[Mistletoe]

Has anyone gone to Disney around Christmastime? I see Disneyland has 'A Very Foodie Holiday' festival that has 8 kiosks with food inspired by five different cultural holidays including Christmas, Navidad, Kwanzaa, Diwali and Hanukkah... Sounds delicious and I like that they represent the different cultures.

I don't like going to Disney when it's cold, but I feel I ought to experience Disney at Christmastime at least once in my life.

[Bishop1954]

Yes I have. Both Disneyland & Walt Disney World. But I went of the first full week in December, because, no one is there! The week of Thanksgiving is packed and the closer you get to Christmas is the same, but that first week, children are still in school, vacations are upcoming, but not there yet and a lot of company Christmas parties are scheduled for that first full week. The parks are all decorated, they have the special parades & you can get on the rides very quickly. :waving:

[Mistletoe]

Yes I have. Both Disneyland & Walt Disney World. But I went of the first full week in December, because, no one is there! The week of Thanksgiving is packed and the closer you get to Christmas is the same, but that first week, children are still in school, vacations are upcoming, but not there yet and a lot of company Christmas parties are scheduled for that first full week. The parks are all decorated, they have the special parades & you can get on the rides very quickly. :waving:
Good to know!

[Bishop1954]

I did the same at Universal Orlando one year (wife is a Harry Potter fan). They even had a few floats from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Very enjoyable... :snowman:

[Mistletoe]

I did the same at Universal Orlando one year (wife is a Harry Potter fan). They even had a few floats from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Very enjoyable... :snowman:
That's interesting about the floats- I never thought of them being anywhere else other than NY.

[Bishop1954]

I was surprised when I heard it as well, but since "Universal" projects the image of Hollywood, I think it added a special touch... :tree:

[snowbell1]

I get my baking and candy making done and just about a week or so before christmas i run out to pick up my poinsettia's.:christmastree:

[Bishop1954]

I also get some baking done to distribute around the neighborhood. This year I am also treating my wife to the "Twelve Dates of Christmas" with the last being breakfast on Christmas Eve... :home:

[Mistletoe]

I also get some baking done to distribute around the neighborhood. This year I am also treating my wife to the "Twelve Dates of Christmas" with the last being breakfast on Christmas Eve... :home:

That's great! :tree:

[Mistletoe]

just about a week or so before christmas i run out to pick up my poinsettia's.:christmastree:
How many do you get?

I'm always tempted to buy them and have them all over my house, but I can't keep them alive because i don't have enough sun for them.

[Bishop1954]

Hmmm... may have to pick up a Poinsettia or two myself for the table dinner... :elf3:

[Elf_Erv]

I drink lots of eggnog :gelf:

[Bishop1954]

Follow many of the online Santa tracking sites (especially NORAD)... :gingerhouse: