Unique Advent Calendar (No Candy!)

I am so on top of Christmas this year, it's frightening. I finished designing my Christmas cards and actually had them printed today at Staples. November 23. Printed Christmas cards. I am usually the one stressing the week before Christmas to get the cards out while shopping, gift wrapping , baking, etc., etc.

In the heart of being on the ball, I am going to get our Advent calendar prepared early as well. This year, I am switching it up... no candy. Oh, ok, we have never used candy. Someone bought the girls one of those cheesy chocolate filled calendars a few years ago and they lasted about one day! But, I digress. We have one of those felt pocket calendars like the one pictured and you just move the felt candy cane from one day to the next. I thought this year they would like a treat in the pocket so I came up with some notes to use. Activities of sorts for each day. There will be 2 of each note in each pocket (Yes, Acadia gets left out of everything but, come on, she can't even reach the calendar!) Here's my list, feel free to steal this idea or share with me if you have some other notes I could include. Clearly, mine are more feminine leaning, so you might want to change it up for boys... not that there is anything wrong with painting your boys toes, although daddy might not agree.

• Watch a Christmas movie.
• Make Christmas cookies/ treats.
• Have a family dance party for 1 hour.
• Write letter to Santa.
• Have breakfast for dinner.
• Go for a ride to see Christmas lights.
• Make a Christmas ornament.
• Write our own Christmas book complete with illustrations.
• Have a nail salon party with mom.
• Have a lights out/ candle reading hour.
• 1 hour of coloring with Mommy or Daddy.
• A game of your choice with Mommy or Daddy.
• A sleepover in Mommy and Daddy's room
• Go shopping for a gift for a charity
• Read Polar Express with some hot cocoa
• Have a 'fancy' dress-up, candlelit family dinner
• Breakfast in bed
• Sleep in the living room by the light of the Christmas tree
• Wrap some Christmas gifts with our saved comics
• Go to the library and pick out a holiday book
• Go on a 'Winter in New England' photography field trip with mom.
• Go to Goodwill and purchase a present for each sister.
• Deliver some handmade treats/ desserts to friends and neighbors.
• Open 1 gift before bed.
• Enjoy this wonderful day with your family.

Do you have any other fun, simple family holiday activities to suggest? This is my first try at this, so I would love input.