As the holiday season approaches, families around the world begin to embrace the joyful anticipation of Christmas. One of the most cherished ways to countdown to the big day is through the celebration of Advent—a time of reflection, joy, and preparation. Involving children in this special season not only makes it more festive but also helps them understand the deeper meaning behind the festivities.

In this blog post, we’ll explore lots of creative and engaging ideas for your Christmas countdown. From Advent calendars, crafts and baking to acts of kindness and festive traditions, these ideas are designed to foster family bonding and help instil the spirit of giving in your little ones.

So, get ready to create lasting memories as you embark on this magical journey toward Christmas!

An Advent ring or wreath serves as a focal point for fostering a sense of peace, anticipation, and connection during the holiday season.

Select Your Ring or Wreath: Choose a Grimm's Celebration Ring or use an evergreen wreath.

Add Candles: Traditionally, four candles are placed around the wreath or in the ring, representing hope, peace, joy, and love. Or, in the Waldorf tradition, representing the four kingdoms of the natural world - earth and minerals, the plant kingdom, the animal kingdom and humanity. A fifth candle can be placed in the centre for Christmas Eve.

Lighting the Candles: Each week of Advent, light one candle on Sunday, starting with the first candle, and progress to the next in subsequent weeks. Use the lighting of the candles as a time for reflection, together as a family. Each candle's significance can inspire discussions about the themes of the season. If they wish to, children can add natural objects representing that week's kingdom. 

Display: Place your Advent ring or wreath in a central location, such as a dining table or living room, to serve as a focal point for your celebrations.

Why not use recycled materials to create your own Advent Calendar? Brown paper lunch bags and recycled cardboard boxes are perfect containers for little gifts and treats. Decorate with Pens, Pencils and Crayons and make sure to number each one. We love the idea of attaching From Jennifer number coins.

Images: @_simply_bea_ ; Oskar's Wooden Ark

A simple yet fun way to count down to Christmas. Get creative and design your own chalkboard countdown calendar. Involve your children by letting them cross off or colour in each day as it passes. Browse our wide range of chalk and chalkboards...

Image: @_simply_bea_ for Oskar's Wooden Ark

Start a new collection or use toys you already have at home to create a play scene or activity that gradually builds and evolves over the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Some ideas include:

Building Set: Each day, reveal new pieces to build larger and more complex constructions. You may even wish to set some daily building challenges or prompts.

Small World Play Scene: Pick a theme, set the scene, and add figures and accessories for each day. Children will love watching their play world expand in the lead up to Christmas.

Storytelling: Use wooden figures and toys as story prompts. Each item can act as the inspiration for a new story OR a longer story might unfold over time as new characters and items are introduced. Turn this idea into a collaborative game by inviting children to tell their own stories (or add to a story), prompted by the items they reveal each day...

In this image, we've transformed the small blocks of the Grimm's Large Stepped Pyramid into Christmas gifts by tying small piece of yarn around them. Each day, a new gift is added to the pile. Watch the pile (and the excitement) grow as Christmas comes closer...

Embrace the joy of advent baking with our wonderful Gluckskafer Kitchen Range! Whip up festive treats using beautifully crafted utensils, festive cookie cutters and baking moulds; designed for little hands and big imaginations.

Image: Kate Kwijas for Oskar's Wooden Ark

It’s time to wrap those magical gifts you’ve picked out for your loved ones. Still need some ideas? Take a look at our Gift Guide! Crank up the Christmas carols, pour yourself a festive drink, and get into the holiday spirit...

Have you tried Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts with fabric? Using Sarah's Silks Playsilks allows for creative, reusable wraps that are as beautiful (and FUN!) as they are sustainable. Find out how...

This holiday season, let your gift wrapping reflect not only your creativity but also your commitment to the environment, turning each gift into a thoughtful expression of joy.

Image: Sarah's Silks

Create, Play, Learn AND Explore your way to Christmas Day with fun daily activity prompts for you to enjoy together with your children. Download our free OWA Countdown Calendar for 24 days of festive inspiration. Don't forget to tag us in your fun -#OWACHRISTMAS.