Let the Christmas Countdown Begin!

***WORK IN PROGRESS***


First of all, happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

And now, let's commence with the holiday festivities.


Ahh, Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year...in order to maximize the season we look for special Christmas activities to do each day throughout the season.

Would you like to celebrate along with us?

Here is a look at some possible activities that you just might want to pencil in on your calendars.

NOVEMBER
26- Final day for Thanksgiving Train Ride (website for more info: http://www.techscribes.com
/sarm/schedule.htm)
27- Trim the tree and deck the halls
28- Kingston Christmas parade
29- Make a Christmas favorite: Christmas Chex Mix
30- Family Christmas photo time!!!

DECEMBER
1- Harriman Christmas parade
2- Breakfast with Santa, Oak Ridge Civic Center
3- "The Nutcracker", presented by Arts in Motion at RSCC
also, check out the Oliver Springs Christmas parade.
4- Service idea: Round up extra change and take it to the Salvation Army drop bucket
5- Rockwood Christmas parade
6- Santa's Village at Knoxville Zoo
7- Write that letter to Santa!
8- Try out a homemade hot chocolate recipe.
9- "A Song in Born" Holiday Concert
10- Dashing Through the Park 5K, Roane County Park
or, go for a ride on the Santa Train
11- Service idea: Take a plate of goodies to the neighbors!
12- Craft idea: Try out this Christmas Playdough recipe.
13- Go for a night drive to look at Christmas lights.
14- Ever gone caroling? Convince your local church group to sing to residents at a nursing home. If you need lyrics to any songs, check out this site.
15- Wrap the presents!
16- Family Movie night: A Charlie Brown Christmas (this is just a youtube excerpt...ABC will probably host the video after it airs on TV Dec. 5th)
17- Attend 'It's a Wonderful Life- a live radio show' at Creative Arts Co-op
18- Service idea: Don't forget the pets this time of year. Here are some dog treat recipes.
19- A fun Christmas break activity is to visit the UT Gardens and check out the miniature train exhibit. (The website also lists other seasonal events, which look like a lot of fun.)
20- If you need some activities to entertain your kids during the holidays, many family Christmas games are available on this site.
21- Your mouth will be watering when you check out all the different Christmas cookie recipes listed by Family Fun.
22- Reading is always fun when done on the computer! Maybe your kids will enjoy reading The Gingerbread Man. Or, check out these printable Nativity crafts for kids.
23- Family movie night: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
24- Remember to leave a plate of cookies and some milk for Santa. I hear the jolly old man has a hearty appetite.
25- Enjoy the day with family. Read the story of the first Christmas, attend church, open presents, call relatives, tinker around with new presents. :)
26- Go ice skating.
27- Have some down time? My favorite holiday movie is The Polar Express. Family members of all ages will be sure to enjoy it.
28- Perhaps I am overly concerned with clutter, but I like my kids to find one old toy to donate to Goodwill since they just received new things and presents. I also find it helps them to think of others!
29- Catch a bargain and cash in those gift cards at After-Christmas sales.
30- service idea: Write a letter to a soldier just to say thanks.
31- New Year's Eve! Looking forward to 2012.


Other ideas: Attend a class at the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, visit A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, or select another event from the list at Roane Tourism.