There are some things that you can’t put a price on in life; like the light in a child’s eyes during the holidays. Feelings of anticipation, love, and hope grace the air as Christmas creeps closer and closer. Anything we can do as parents to amplify those feelings in our children, will help spread that priceless Christmas cheer all around us.

Creating a countdown calendar for Christmas packed with goodies and a mini sized surprise is just the thing to celebrate the season. As adored as Christmas crafts already are, this one in particular is loved by all ages of the family. Starting in November, get your supplies ready for making this project. Kids can definitely help, but it’s also fun keeping it a secret and watching their little faces when you reveal the calendar.

With a poster board, fabric, small envelopes, Christmas paper, and a good set of instructions you are ready to start your project. Finding just the right paper, ribbon and other supplies is the fun part. There are so many options available at Christmas to choose from! You can design the calendar to coordinate with your home decorations, or aim it more towards pleasing the wee ones of your family.

Once the calendar is complete, you can start stocking it with surprises of all sorts. Most stores carry small Christmas chocolates, mints, candy canes, or other goodies. You can also write up fun activities, service projects, other Christmas crafts, movie nights, etc. to fill the days up. Kids love one on one time spent with their parents. To top off the perfect Christmas calendar, type up a story, poem or quote to share with your family, each day. Right before the kids are tucked in for the night, have them open an envelope and see what’s inside.

Most years, the Christmas rush seems to consume us. Taking a few precious moments to enjoy Christmas each evening will help our kids feel the full effect of the "holiday spirit!" Christmas will be that much sweeter when it finally arrives.