the christmas chain

Every family has something like this – don’t they?

You know . . .  some

count-down-the-days-until-Christmas-arrives

sort of system.

I’ve seen exquisitely decorated ones,

numbered do-dads with a series of intricate doors and surprises,

and even a chocolate for every day of December one.

They all look good to me.

But I’m pretty sure the appearance is not the point.

Or at least I hope so.

Because this year our family took the basic route.

The classic old paper chain – one link for every day until Christmas day.

(The great thing about having primarily younger children is that even old ideas are new to them.

Which is why slap bracelets, Care Bears, My Little Pony and Monchichi can all make an easy comeback.)

I’ve done cuter, more elaborate schemes in the past.

One year I did this too-adorable twine strung across our living room windows and attached tiny single socks with themed clothespins to the twine.  Each sock held a tiny toy or treat or message.  It was pretty magazine-ish.

But that was back in the days of only four kids.

(Tee Hee.  Only four children.)

So.

This year we have the paper chain.

With each day’s surprise being some activity the family does together after dinner.

And that, more than the cutesy manner in which it is displayed, has really been the focus.

I can tell the kids like it.

Because of their enthusiasm every morning for ripping apart the chain.

Because of their joy in participating in whatever that day’s activity is.

Oh, and because now they are big enough to tell me how much they like it.

We have strolled the Christmas-y streets of Hendersonville, watched Polar Express one evening cuddling on the sofa and completed unique-to-our-family Christmas art while listening to music from the Nutcracker.

So far, every activity has been completely free of charge – which suits us (and our envelopes) just fine.

This week one of our evening’s events was to craft ornaments out of clay.

Well, I don’t think any of the kids actually completed an ornament.

We ended up with the head that London is holding in the photo and a complete line of designer clay beds for two tiny princesses, a Zhu Zhu pet and a black stuffed dog whose loss Bergen has been mourning for days.

(That’s another question I should add to my list.  Anyone seen the little guy?  A reward for the recovery of Nibbles.)

I like our paper chain.

Although it isn’t pretty and the colors do not compliment the kitchen,

I like it.

And I like the little people who live here who make this season a bit more festive

a bit more jolly

and a lot more fun.