a project

This is just about the time every year when I tell myself to slow down. Enjoy. Drink it all in - the craziness and the calm. I'm thinking of a project to focus on the good stuff that does abound in my life (not that you'd ever know it from all my harping on this here blog) and I'm contemplating a little advent project. I loved advent calendars as a kid, and this was before they were filled with chocolate candies. I still prefer the versions whose doors open to little glittery pictures and snowy animals and shrubbery. But, I'm thinking of changing the concept a little. Something along the lines of dressed up small match boxes (covered with colored paper and an appropriate number) - emptied of their little sticks of fire inducing fun - and filled with a little slip of paper dictating a cheery activity or treat for my smallies.

All I can think of so far is ::
1. hot chocolate with all the fixings
2. a new toy car (can you really ever get enough of these puppies?)
3. watch a movie in pj's in the "big bed" (aka: mine)

And that's about it. 3 out of 25.

So tell me, what little rituals, goodies or traditions mark the holiday season for your families? Do tell.