5 NON-GIFT ADVENT CALENDAR IDEAS

Want to make your Advent calendar fun without shopping for more gifts or candy? Use one of these ideas instead.

1. FAMILY ACTIVITY. Add a family activity to do each day, whether it’s going to get a Christmas tree, having a Christmas movie night or going caroling in the neighborhood.

2. BOOK OF THE DAY. If you have young kids, this would be a great way to read a Christmas book every day—either ones you own, or those you check out from the library.

3. GIVING BACK. Give your family one way to give back each day. Carol at a retirement home, in a fast-food drive-through pay for the person behind you, or package bags with necessities you can give to a homeless person you pass on the road.

4. LOVE NOTES. Write the name of a friend or family member on a card for each day, and then send that person a card, text message or voicemail telling them how much they mean to you.

5. RECIPE CENTRAL. If you like to bake and cook, give your family and you one new recipe to try out each day, whether that’s a Christmas cookie or a warming soup for the winter months.