Little Homeschool Blessings: Christmas Fun You Don't Want to Miss Out On!

Every year since Ceesa was a little babe we've taken a day to do something special for the Christmas holiday. It is such fun and now the kids always ask, "Where are we going this year?"

Here are some ideas to get you started...

Bethlehem Villages-We did this one year and it was delightful. An entire church was transformed into Bethlehem, complete with stable including real barnyard animals. Amazing and so much fun. The kids were all given coins to purchase things they wanted. It was lovely.

Skiing-Okay, so we haven't actually done this one yet, but when the kids are older it would be really great to give it a go.

Snow Tubing-A total blast. There are places that make snow for their gigantic hills. You get a tube and ride to your hearts content. Bundle up!

Museums-This was on our list for this year. The glass museum we visited in the fall had a Christmas celebration with cookies, hot chocolate, a craft, and music. We didn't make it to this one, but is back on our list for another year.

Christmas Themed Train Rides-You could go for a Polar Express train ride or a Christmas lights ride or any other Christmas theme.

Historic Houses-This year we visited a historic house. It was wonderful. The Victorian house was decorated with trees in every room and even had a special display for the WWI Christmas truce. Afterwards there was cookies and hot chocolate in the carriage house. We are even starting a new tradition after visiting. We now have a pickle ornament to hide. Whoever finds it this year gets to pass out the presents.

Zoo-check your nearest zoo to see if they have light displays at night. You can usually get to see all of the animals that are nocturnal too. Ceesa made friends with a cat from Australia when we took her.

Historic Village-Many historic Villages have a Christmas theme. We visited one that had a Dickens theme.

Local Farm-There are so many farms in our area that have special Christmas events. One year we headed to an Amish run farm and rode in a horse drawn buggy, took a miniature train ride, saw a live nativity, made gingerbread houses, and decorated sugar cookies.

Ice Skating- We haven't done this for Christmas, but the kids love to skate.

Light Show- Who doesn't like a good light display? Especially when you get to stay in your car to do it. As children, we would head up heated hill (I think it was really heated so that the snow would melt) and look at the light displays on the gorgeous houses. I loved that. Or you could go big and hit a park that has hundreds of displays. We went to one that had hot chocolate if you actually wanted to get out of your vehicle.

Candle lighting-Sing carols, light candles, dress warm. We even stopped for fudge when we were done. :)

Christmas Concerts-These can be at local churches, schools or colleges, or by professionals. Poppa, Wheel and I went to the Gaither Christmas Homecoming this year. It was wonderful. We've seen the African Children's choir a different year.

Miniature Train Displays-Always fun, but set up for Christmas just lovely.

Nativity Scenes-One year, we went out to a movie and then headed over to a nativity that was set up in front of an insurance company's building. Each stop of the nativity was narrated. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate for this one.

New Year's Festivities-Once I just couldn't get us anywhere before Christmas came. We had been sick for a week and it had knocked us down. So we opted to go to a children's museum that was having a craft for new year's. We made poppers and took them to our New Year's Eve Party.

Christmas Plays-These can be as large scale or as small as you want. You can go all out for the nutcracker ballet or you can see a small church play.