Speaking of Christmas planning, for those of you utilizing the free planning downloads from last year, I’ve updated the calendar for 2009.  I’ll add the file to this post so you can start scheduling your month of organized merriment.

If you haven’t had a chance to print out your family’s refrigerator advent calendar this year, it’s not too late.  My kids race to get dressed in the morning just so they can earn the right to color in the ornament for the day.  I haven’t had to nag all week!  How can you resist that?

If you are following my weekly Christmas plan, you’ll know that writing Santa letters is scheduled for next week.  We usually do this activity during Family Home Evening…after we’ve had a lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.  We talk a lot about the Christmas Spirit and how it’s important to show our love for others all year.  When they’re writing their letters, we encourage them to skip the standard “I’ve been really good this year” sentence for a more specific “I’ve shown the Christmas spirit by…”.  This simple shift really helps my kids keep their wish lists in perspective.  Plus, it’s really fun my husband and I to read what they come up with.

To make the letter writing a little more fun and festive this year, I created some cute Santa stationery.  The first version includes a partially-written letter so my young kids can just fill in the blanks with pictures.  The second file is a more basic, lined layout for my older kids.  You can find both files available for free download below.  Just thought I’d pass it on.