The 21 Days of Christmas

I'm behind on the Advent sock calendar, but here, finally, is a draft of the list of activities that will be included (we have already donated to the food pantry and set up our Lego Christmas village, so we are getting into the spirit even without the calendar):

1. Build gingerbread houses
2. Host cookie party (Dec. 17)
3. Make holiday wreath
4. Stay up late, a la Solstice Camp Out (Dec. 21 or 22, for us)
5. Fondue dinner
6. Make a snowman (weather permitting)
7. Decorate--especially Fridge Snowman
8. Snowflake Bingo at school (Dec. 6)
9. Deliver gifts to vet, pediatrician, etc.
10. Family game night
11. Santa Lucia celebration with saffron buns and glogg (Dec. 13)
12. Dinner by candlelight
13. Watch "Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas"
14. Sort through toys and books for donations
15. Make cards for teachers, babysitters, etc.
16. Watch "Doctor Who" Christmas episodes
17. Backwards/reverse day
18. Choose family holiday charity (manatees?  Save the Children? Heifer?)
19. Deliver ELF bags to friends in need of holiday cheer
20. Make treats for animals (birdfeeders? local shelter?)
21. Compile Cookie-Time bags for food pantries (Dec. 11)

Extras (just in case):  watch Geminid meteors (Dec. 13/14), make Elf doughnuts, write a letter to a sick child or a soldier, make thank-you notes for after Christmas, make scarves for community coat closet, drive around looking at lights, caroling by phone, make reindeer food, write letter to Santa, read A Christmas Carol, make "our favorites" ornaments or any Christmas ornament

Finally, if you are an Elf-on-the-Shelf disliker like me (the behavioral bribery by a creepy doll just doesn't say "holiday spirit" to me; we don't threaten about Santa bringing no presents either--it's cruel and untrue--because how many parents ever really follow through?), check out the Kindness Elves idea here.