Every year, Christmas shows up a little earlier. The inflatable Frosty is out before the Halloween candy is gone, and somehow December still sneaks up on us.
Here's what we've learned: planning ahead now saves the overwhelm later.
So can you life hack your Advent season? Chris once made the case that you can't life hack Christianity. But getting ready for Advent? We think maybe so. Here are four easy things to do now, so December 1 finds you ready.
1. Get Advent Blocks
Advent Blocks starts December 1. Each day, your family turns a block, moves the star, and reads a short story that builds anticipation for Jesus, not just presents. It's made for ages 3 to 13, and it's a tradition you'll pull out year after year. Order now so it's on your table by December 1.
Get the Advent Blocks Traditions Set
Shopping for little ones, or for yourself? Add the board book God Is Coming to Earth to Stay! or He Is Here, an Advent devotional for grown-ups.
2. Schedule what matters to you
You know the things that make December feel like December. Cookie baking day. Present wrapping day. Driving around to look at lights. Put them on the calendar now, before the parties and the to-dos fill it up. If it's on the calendar, it happens. If it's not, it usually doesn't.
Not sure what matters most? Start with 5 Questions to Answer Now for a Stress-free Christmas.
3. Queue up our Advent playlist
Music sets the mood faster than anything. We put together an Advent playlist for the car, the kitchen, and those cookie baking afternoons. Bonus: a song we wrote for the whole family to sing.
4. Print the coloring pages (now)
Our free Advent coloring pages match each day of Advent Blocks, so kids can color the story you read that morning. Print them now, while the printer still has ink and you still have patience. Stack them by day, and December is ready to go.
Leading kids at church this Advent? See our church program.
That's it
Four things. A little planning now, and you get to spend December actually enjoying it. We'll be right there with you, turning blocks, moving the star, and anticipating Jesus all season long.