Making a Christmas Count down Chain Ideas to Put on It

Cut out snowflakes
Learn a new Christmas carol
Learn about a different cultures holiday traditions ( you can check a book out from the library or look up info online)
Decorate cookies
Make a list for Santa
Call a loved one
Take cookies to a retirement home
Decorate a wreath ( you can find lots of craft stuff at dollar stores)
Make a home made ornament
Read a Christmas themed book
Make home made wrapping paper ( use butcher paper and stamps is easy and fun)
Make snowman in a cup :Snowman Soup Recipe
Ingredients
1 pkg hot chocolate mix
2 Hershey's Kisses for the eyes
1 Hershey's Hugs for the nose
10-12 mini marshmallows for the snowballs
1 peppermint candy cane (alternate: cinnamon stick)
Snowman Soup Poem #1 by lisadh
Frosty has melted.
It's sad but true.
But he left a gift for you.

Little white snowballs
And two dark eyes.
And a nose that's quite tasty.
Just give it a try.

Pour the package in the mug.
And add the eyes and nose.
Use the candy stick to stir.
Then sip it very slow!

(Variation: If you're using a cinnamon stick instead of candy cane to stir, you can suggest the cinnamon stick or sticks (I'd add two) are arms and change the last section to this:

Pour the package in the mug.
And add the eyes and nose.
Use the cinnamon arms to stir
And sip it very slow!

Snowman Soup Poem #2
When it's so cold that
you holler and whoop,
It's time to bring out
the Snowman Soup!

Pour the packet in a mug.
Add the marshmallows too.
And throw in these kisses
that are special just for you.

Snowman Soup Poem #3
When the weather outside is frightful,
Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

When you feel a chill or are saying "brrrr,"
Use the candy cane stick to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Snowman Soup Poem #4
Was told that you've been good this year -
Always glad to hear it!
With freezing weather drawing near,
You'll need to warm the spirit.

So here's a little Snowman Soup,
Complete with stirring stick.
Just add hot water, sip it slow.
It's sure to do the trick!

You have a great idea, think I will be making an activity chain to count down on with my kids too!!! = )

I would add lots of things that involve giving to others. Go through old toys and have your kids pick a few that are in good shape that they have grown out of and ask if they would be willing to give it to a place that will make sure it goes to children who have very little this year. Find a local food pantry that you can bring canned food to. What about an elderly neighbor who might need help decorating for Christmas? My elderly mother always has a tough time getting her decorations out of the attic, setting up the tree, etc. We always shop for and decorate a shoebox of small toys for Samaritans Purse's Chrismas outreach around the world. Then, find a local church that will be having a Christmas service and be sure that your kids learn about the origin of Christmas and that it's not all about presents and Santa. Help them learn why we give gifts to other. Enjoy!!!

Maybe something even simpler like "Hug your dad" or "Call a grandparent." or "Smile at 10 people today."

Make snow angels
Make dough ornaments
Make Christmas Candy for your neighbors
Caroling
Look at Christmas Lights
Go Ice Skating
Make something special for a best friend
Make something special for a teacher
Bake cookies for the front office at school
Make candy canes out of beads and pipe cleaners
Make the birds a present. A feeder out of an apple, peanut butter and bird seed.
Volunteer at a center helping them get ready for the Christmas crowd to show up. I did this with my son at 5. They let him decorate and create snack bags for the kids.
Make your own hot coco from scratch
Watch a Christmas movie together
String popcorn for the tree

Visit a homeless shelter
Volunteer at a hospice center
Read THE Christmas Story (Matthew 1:18 - 2:23, Luke 2:1-38)
Make ornaments out of kids' photos (face in a wreath or as snowman face)
Make Reindeer Food for Christmas Eve (as presents, or use some yourself!)

Reindeer Food Recipe:
Put rolled oats in a baggie with red or green colored sugar and/or glitter
Wrap with ribbon and add this poem:

Sprinkle this reindeer food outside tonight.
The moonlight will make it sparkle bright.
As the reindeer fly and roam.
This will guide them to your home.

make/buy/recycle a present to donate
make an ornament
read a Bible verse related to Christmas
watch a Christmas movie
send a "secret Santa" gift/note to someone
read a Christmas story
make a present (cookie mix or soup in a jar)
watch last year's Christmas video/photos

What kinds of things do you put on a countdown chain? Give us some more info about what you're looking for.