Twelve Days of Connection

With so much going on, the month of December tends to fill up quickly. While family time, parties, and hosting can provide moments of connection, the season can also often feel rushed or even stressful. As the host, you can often be so busy planning and prepping that you miss those moments while taking care of everyone else. In the spirit of connection, here are some advent prompts to help you slow down and have meaningful, small moments with those around you.

You could incorporate this into an advent you already use or simply track it in your planner. This is also a great opportunity to get children or families involved in connecting with others.

The 12 Days of Connection (You Choose the Days)
Each “day” = one small, 5-minute action. Some examples:

Day 1: Send a “thinking of you” text

Day 2: Let a child help in the kitchen, even if it’s messier

Day 3: Call someone you’ve been missing

Day 4: Make eye contact + ask one meaningful question

Day 5: Share a memory of a Christmas past or ask someone else to

Day 6: Leave a surprise sticky note for someone

Day 7: Have a no-phones/screen-free dinner

Day 8: Share a funny meme or video with someone

Day 9: Play a board or card game together as a family

Day 10: Compliment a stranger

Day 11: Leave a treat for a friend, neighbor, or co-worker

Day 12: Connect with yourself: journal, exercise, meditate. Whatever grounds you.

How to Track the Challenge in Your Planner

• Keep a journal section for tiny reflections

• Make a “People I Want to Connect With” list

• Use the Health pages to keep a weekly check-in on your own emotional bandwidth

You can write in your own ideas too. This isn’t meant to add more to your “to-do” list, but to fill a cup of connection for you and others!