Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. To me, it always launched the second day of December, on my birthday. As part of my birthday celebrations, we would always put up the Christmas tree. That always seemed early to everyone around us, but for me, it was the perfect launch to the advent season.

When JavaMan and I got married, we began a new tradition–going out and cutting down our own tree at a Christmas tree farm. We carried that on when our kids were born, usually heading north from Toronto, where we lived, to find snow.

Traditions have had to flex as we’ve been a bit more nomadic, and definitely during the Christmases we’ve spent in China. But as the years have gone by, we’ve found ways to bring more and more meaning to the Christmas season, ways to make it more real to our children.

Each year, we’ve read one of the books from the Jotham’s Journey Trilogy, and tried to make a meaningful time out of advent.

This year, we’re adding something new. Since our curriculum is hands-on, and our kids are really enjoying that new focus, I think Truth in the Tinsel is the perfect fit. Rather than following the actual advent season, encompassing the four Sundays prior to Christmas, Truth in the Tinsel starts on December 1st, and counts down until Christmas Day.

There’s a fairly daunting supply list at the beginning, but once you page through the crafts for each day, it’s easy to see how you might improvise if your local craft store isn’t so well supplied.

Christmas is still my favorite time of year. And this year we have one more way to celebrate!