Last year I told y’all about our family Advent Christmas tradition. We LOVE this part of the season. It’s a time for us to enjoy each other without the craziness of the retail shopping world. I’m just not really into hitting up all the stores for great deals on battery operated toys and things I have to dust. That’s not how I roll. Instead, we spend time together and make memories for Annie. In lieu of putting gifts into the pockets of our Advent calendar, we put slips of paper with family activities on them. Barry didn’t use to be the type of person that enjoyed Christmas, but after starting this tradition, he is actually starting to soften up and enjoy the holidays…..it might also have something to do with the goodies I keep around the house. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Amen. |
The calendar is up and ready to go! I’ve decided on our activities for the month and got them ready to go. This year we’re able to do a few more hands-on things since Annie is getting older….there might even be some paint involved. Y’all pray for me. One day I would like to make a homemade calendar, but I won’t hold my breath (I’m not sure Barry knows CPR). This one from Amazon fits the bill nicely and this is my third year using it. I’ve seen tons of cute ones on Etsy if you’re interested. I would post some links for you, but I’m slightly addicted to Etsy. Okay, you twisted my arm! Here is a super cute one with a Nativity Scene. I like this one….but it’s for a dog. Am I the only one who thinks that’s weird? Anyway, I like it but wouldn’t do the doggy biscuits. Barry isn’t into eating those, although Erinn might. Right, Erinn? I love, love, LOVE this one! But it’s only for 12 days, so you’d have to order two. Only 12 days? Seems odd….but cute. Rustic, and that’s how I roll. One more before I spend all day on Etsy……again. Here is a DIY printable version so you CAN make your own at home. At only $5, it’s a great deal. My friend Erinn is working on a homemade version, and I hope she’ll be able to do a tutorial for y’all next year……right, Erinn? 😉 |
Each day with our activity, we have a devotional that we do together as a family. Barry leads it while Annie and I listen……and tickle each other. Gotta have those toddler tickles. I also make sure to take a photo each day of our activity so that we can remember what we’ve done. I try to get a Shutterfly book made for Annie so that she has one to look back on for each Christmas. I also post our photos on Facebook. Come follow along with us this Advent season! Isaiah 9:6-7 |
| This post is linked at Gratituesday on Heavenly Homemakers and at Finer Things Friday on Amy’s Finer Things. |
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My husband and I are celebrating Advent for the first time this year. Here is our homemade Advent “calendar” http://pinterest.com/pin/280630620500146153/ and our homemade Advent “wreath” http://pinterest.com/pin/280630620500146183/
Each envelope in the calendar has a card in it with a Christmas activity just like you do and we’re also doing an Advent devotional each night. We don’t have kids yet but Christmas and Advent aren’t just for kids right? I mean Jesus wasn’t just for kids 🙂 We’re already really enjoying how celebrating Advent has kept us very intentional with our time this Christmas season.
It’s so much fun isn’t it?! 🙂 Your calendar and wreath are great! I love the little clothes pins.
🙂 You’re welcome! Happy Advent!
Great idea about taking pictures and making the book!!… they didn’t have digital cameras or Shutterfly back in the day 🙁
Chicken Soup for the Soul has a Christmas version – that has 1 story (Christmas related)per day.
Enjoy your daily moments… since we have 4 children who are not home-schooled and play sports – our family traditions are much less structured but one thing is for certain, we love this time of year!!
🙂 Thanks for stopping by Dianne…..and I think you did just fine “back in the day.”
Thanks so much for this! I was stressing because I’ve been looking for an Avent calendar and couldn’t find one I liked. I bought the Nativity one. That is perfect! Thanks again!
I’m so glad you liked it! It was pretty cute, huh? 🙂
YES! I only wish I had found it earlier so I could use it now. Oh, well, I’ll have it for next year and I can put some of my fabric scraps to good use. 🙂
You might be able to swing some of the days. 🙂
Target has some cute ones in their dollar aisle. They also have a wooden house one with windows and doors to open but it wasn’t onthe dollar aisle 🙁 maybe the after Christmas clearence sale.
I like how you think. 🙂
I just bought ornaments to make one!
I love this Stacy! I can’t wait to start ours. What a great idea to take pictures of each day and make a Shutterfly book.
Yeah, I’m a little attached to my camera. 🙂