A Toddler's Christmas Bucket List

I am so excited about Christmas this year! My daughter is now old enough to really enjoy a lot of the things that go along with this season.  I can't wait to share them with her. Here is what I hope we'll accomplish this month. (Please note: most of these photos are from last year.)Make, and keep up with, an advent calendar. Do you do an advent calendar? You can click here to see how I made ours, or see this list of other great advent ideas put together by Julie at Sum of Their Stories. String Cranberries. We have a bunch leftover from Thanksgiving dinner, so I hope we can add them to our tree. (I think it would make for great fine motor skill practice for Pooky.)Read Christmas stories. I built a picture book Christmas tree using our winter and Christmas themed books.  You can click these links to see which winter and Christmas books we chose as our favorites.Do a Christmas craft. Echo from the Mad Mommy has an easy I-Spy bottle you and your kiddos can put together quickly with things you probably already have on hand. Watch a Christmas cartoon.Make Christmas tree ornaments. We made some with friends when I hosted a crafting playdate.Decorate Christmas cookies.Make Christmas cards for a few far-away relatives. Learn with Play at Home has a fun list of ones kids can make.Dance to Christmas music.

Decorate the Christmas tree.

Watch a Christmas parade.Make Gingerbread Men.Shop for a child from the Angel Tree.Make and play with Christmas themed play-dough. Here's a festive roundup of DIY play-dough recipes from In the Playroom.

Get dressed up for Christmas pictures.

Sip cocoa in front of the Christmas tree lights.

Make a gingerbread house. We do this with family after Christmas dinner.

See the Christmas lights at the zoo.Watch a candlelight Christmas Eve service. I encourage everyone to attend one of these.  I always find it such a beautiful experience that forces me to slow down and remember the true meaning of Christmas.Open one present on Christmas Eve. (Do you do this?)

Open presents on Christmas morning!

Have Christmas dinner with the family while remembering to be thankful for the true meaning of Christmas.I realize this is a long list.  I'm hopeful we'll be able to check most items off by Christmas.  What's on your bucket list that I didn't include?