With the help of the kids, we are creating a Countdown to Christmas list of things to do (in no particular order)!!!  Thanks for the idea Supermom Nicki!!! 

1.  Ring bells for the Salvation Army! http://www.registertoring.com/TwinCities/Default.aspx
2.  Watch the Holidazzle Parade http://www.holidazzle.com/  Here is a little tip:  We always make a resevation at one of the restaurants on the parade route.  Call in advance and ask for a window seat!  Then you can watch part of the parade from your table and also head outside for a little!  The last two years, we ate at the Newsroom and it was perfect!
3.  Macy's 8th Floor Display http://www.uniquelyminnesota.com/activities/macys-8th-floor-display-minneapolis-mn.htm  As much as I miss how the theme used to change each year, watching my kids walk through Santa's Workshop each year is still worth the trip!  If planned accordingly, you can hit up the 8th Floor Display and the Holidazzle the same night!
4.  Disney on Ice - http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/ Coming to the Xcel Center in December, this is a fun event for the whole family!
5.  Drive around and look at Christmas Lights!  Here is one of many places to check out!  http://www.lightsinthepark.org/
6.  Toddler Tuesday at the Mall of America! http://www.mallofamerica.com/upload/ToddlerTuesday4thQ_2012.pdf  We will not be missing Rocking around the Christmas Tree with Dora on Tuesday, December 18th!
7.  Make Christmas Cookies!  Need some ideas.  Check out my Pinterst Page http://pinterest.com/emiuelmen/holiday-cookie-exchange/
8.  Read Elf on the Shelf and hope that our Elf comes back to share the holidays with us!  http://www.elfontheshelf.com/
9.  Go Skiing/Snow Boarding!  http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park/winter-recreation-area.aspx  Elm Creek in Maple Grove is a great place for younger kids to learn to ski!  We took the twins several times last winter and they loved it!  Our older two enjoyed it too! 
10.  Go Sledding!  http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park/winter-recreation-area.aspx  Elm Creek has a great sledding hill too!
11.  Adopt a Family!  This year, we are adopting our family from WeCan.  http://wecan-help.org/?page_id=22  A great organization who will be donating back to families in our area!
12.  Make Ornaments for the Christmas Tree!  http://pinterest.com/emiuelmen/holidays/  Pinterest has helped us come up with many new ideas.  This is a great gift for any grandparents and family member too!
13.  25 Books of Christmas! http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199298198960/ Wrap up twenty-five children's books and put them under the tree with a special blanket next to them. Before bed each evening, your kids choose one book to open and read together until Christmas. Love it! This might be better than an advent calendar!!
14.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Children's Theater Company  http://www.childrenstheatre.org/index.php?
15.  Breakfast with Santa!   This is a favorite for our family!  Check our your local restaurants and Country Clubs to see if they offer a meal with Santa!
16.  Madeline's Christmas at Stage's Theater http://www.stagestheatre.org/upcoming-shows/01/31/2012/madelines-christmas  Act fast and get this great deal from Plum District! http://www.plumdistrict.com/moms/discount/minneapolis-st-paul/tickets-and-events-deals/stages-theatre-company-two-tickets-to-any-performance-of-madeline-s-christmas-by--IHBDHp  We are using this as a Daddy/Daughter Holiday Date!
17.  Decorate our Christmas Tree!  Probably my favorite day of all time!  I love going through all our ornaments seeing how much the kids have changed year to year!
18.  Donate to Toys for Tots!  http://www.toysfortots.org/  This is always a hard day for my kids to shop for others than themselves but just an important day too!  I believe in starting at an early age teaching them the importance of giving to others!
19.  Watch Elf!  And many other holiday movies.... Movie Marathon anyone?
20.  Dance to Holiday Music!  This should definitely be done more than just once!
21.  Donate food to the food pantry!  Here is a great site to help find where to donate in your area https://www.emergencyfoodshelf.org/howtohelp/holdafoodandcashdrive/foodandcashdriveprogramoverview.aspx
22.  Decorate a Gingerbread House!
23.  Write a letter to Santa! 
24.  Feed Reindeer!  Looks like they will be making lots of appearances this Winter http://www.livereindeer.com/appearances/ 
25.  Play in the snow!  (If we have any...)
26.  Cuddle in front of the fire!
27.  Run a Race!  New to us this year!!!  www.active.com is a great site to find a race near you!
28.  Go Ice Skating!  Want to go indoors... check out the Depot http://www.thedepotminneapolis.com/ice-rink.php
29.  Give a secret gift.  My plan is to take each kids separately to shop for their siblings.  Then they can give them their holiday gifts after they wrap, make a card and hide their gifts!
30.  Drink Hot Chocolate... with lots of Marshmallows!  Or even have a Hot Chocolate Bar http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199298256997/
31.  Make smores by the fire and then take a hot tub!
32.  Make care packages to send to relatives!  In our case, they will go to the kids Great Grandmas!! 
33.  Take Pink to visit Santa! check with your local Pet Store for times!  We go to http://www.petsmart.com/ 
34.  Go to a local Tree Lighting!  Live out west?  Mound's Tree lighting is next week!  http://lakeminnetonka.patch.com/articles/live-nativity-planned-for-2013-mound-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony
35.  Go Christmas Caroling!
36.  Get a kiss under the Mistletoe!
37.  Deck the Halls!  Put up the Christmas Tree as a family!  And then sleep under the lights!
38.  Elf your neighbor!!  My kids love Booing their neighors at Halloween that I know they will LOVE this!!  http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199298248947/ 
39.  Shop for Matching Christmas PJ's! 
40.  Make gifts for our teachers.  This will be easy with the help of Pinterest!

Most important...STOP AND ENJOY AND HAVE FUN!!


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