25 Days of Christmas (2013) {Ann Arbor, Michigan Child & Family Photography}

One of my fondest Christmas memories from childhood was the anticipation of counting down to Christmas with our advent calendar. I wanted to start the tradition with my own kids this year, and when I was invited to join an amazing group of women photographers in a group called “25 Days of Christmas”, I was beyond thrilled. Within this group, we brainstormed activity ideas and shared our photos.

Our list of 25 activities varied: we made cookies, ornaments, and play-doh; shoveled the neighbor’s sidewalk and “adopted” 2 children from the Angel Tree similar in age. We even had a little hot chocolate party with our neighbors.

My daughter LOVED it. Each night at bedtime, she “dreamed” about what we were going to do the next day. Each morning she rushed down the stairs to draw a card from the calendar. My son is still a bit young to understand the “countdown”, but I think he had a great time eating sprinkles and frosting and painting my dining room table.

I am so happy we started this tradition, and I am already looking forward to next year. It was fun having a planned activity to do with the kids, and I was pushed to embrace less than ideal light on the days we didn’t get to the activity before it was dark out.