As a family we shift life during advent, our intentions are to focus on preparing for Christmas.  We decorate, bake, create.  We stop any non seasonal projects and schooling during this time, giving us the 'space' in our day to day for these new activities.  There are some parts of the preparation which has become tradition.  A few favorites have been our road, a visit from friends, Christmas tree decorating, crafting.  One of the new additions that was an enormous success was delivering our secret Santa presents.  We dropped off some homemade ornaments, canned goods and baking to friends, signing the cards Secret Santa.  The secretive part was great, taking part and encouraging magic in this season was so much fun.  The kids took it to a whole new level, planning the execution of the drop off, adding glitter for magic dust, creeping to and from the house so as not to be seen.  It's a big job being a secret Santa!