A Busy Dad’s Holiday Hack

What would you call a calendar for fathers to help prepare them and their kids for Christmas?

If you're scratching your head, keep reading for a clever twist on a holiday classic, straight from the heart of a dedicated dad named Joshua, who was involved in one of our programs some years ago. He shared a brilliant idea that’s tailored for dads during the Christmas season. Here’s how it began:

In his home, like many families, they embrace the tradition of an Advent calendar — a simple yet meaningful way to add structure to the holidays, counting down the days while keeping the spotlight on the birth of Christ. Maybe you have done something similar with your kids where you incorporate a daily ritual that builds their anticipation and serves as a reminder of the meaning of the season.

Well, sometimes life doesn’t cooperate with our best intentions, and that happened with Joshua. One December he found himself pulling long hours at work and often missing out on the short daily Advent readings and activities with his wife and young sons.

Rather than complaining or giving up, Joshua got creative. He decided to launch his own version of an Advent calendar designed to help him make the season magical despite the challenges and limited opportunities.

What did he name it? DADvent, naturally.

The essence of DADvent was straightforward yet profound: a daily commitment to do something special for his boys in the lead-up to Christmas. With his demanding schedule, these gestures often happened late at night, after the kids were tucked in and dreaming.

Imagine the quiet determination it took. One evening he'd tiptoe through the house, cutting and hanging paper snowflakes in their rooms to create winter wonderlands for them to wake up to in the morning. Another night, he'd carefully string twinkling lights from corner to corner and bringing more holiday cheer. Then came the ambitious feat of setting up a small Christmas tree in each bedroom, all without stirring a single sleepy head. These weren't grand, expensive productions; they were thoughtful, personal touches that required more heart than anything else.

Were all the late nights and elaborate plans worth it? A few years later Joshua received confirmation that they were when his eleven-year-old son beamed about the DADvent activities, calling them a "great memory" and something he really looked forward to each year. Those words from a child can fuel a dad's soul for months.

Even better, the habit didn't end on Christmas Day. Once Joshua got into a rhythm of these intentional acts, they naturally spilled over into the rest of the year as he kept surprising his sons with spontaneous fun on ordinary days. And it didn't stop there; he began weaving in similar gestures for his wife, strengthening their bond through small, consistent expressions of love.

How could you put your own spin on this?

Depending on when you’re reading this, now might be a good time to start planning something similar in your family. Most Advent calendars — and Joshua’s DADvent — launch on December 1st, so you might want to start brainstorming and preparing.

Picture the delight on your kids' faces if, every day in December until Christmas, you orchestrated a little surprise or gift, or even just carved out a few minutes for an activity they enjoy. It could be as simple as whipping up a batch of Christmas cookies together or diving into a craft project, like folding paper angels to dangle from the windows. Tune into their interests and go from there. The Internet is brimming with ideas that spark creativity without breaking the bank, and usually the biggest cost is your time and imagination.

To get the ball rolling, why not slip out during the next few days for a quick errand? Grab four boxes of candy canes and scatter them on every hook, ledge, or doorknob around the house. Maybe start a new December tradition or two that’s all about father-child fun and togetherness.

Find ways to turn the season into something truly unforgettable for you and your kids.

‍