As a child, we didn’t have shelves at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby draped with green and red to signal that Christmas was around the corner. Our official countdown to Christmas began four Sunday’s prior when we lit the first candle in the Advent wreath at church. It had religious significance, and regrettably, there was no chocolate involved.
I had no idea what I was missing.
It wasn’t until I got older that I noticed the growing popularity of Advent calendars with little treats inside. Now you can find Advent calendars pretty much everywhere from the grocery store to La Madeline. A quick search on Pinterest today will tell you that 2014 “Advent” calendars have very little to do with church or Sundays at all, it’s just an excuse to give little treats in a Christmas Countdown calendar with 25 days.
If you know me, you know I want it all so…. while our family will celebrate the countdown to Jesus’ birth with our Advent wreath on our family dining table, we’ll also be celebrating the countdown in other ways.
Here are a few favorites that I’ve found this week, some to make, some to buy, all to enjoy.
It all started when my little eye spied the Lego City Advent Calendar. Be still my builder’s heart. Love the mash up of daily Lego challenges and Christmas together.
It was in my cart, until I spied the girl version, LEGO Friends Advent calendar, which is now scheduled to arrive on my doorstep in the next few days. I love that the Princess Cupcake is into Legos. And I love the Star Wars one just as much.
Here’s a link to all the Lego Christmas Advent calendars.
Advent Calendars are not just for kids
Who says Advent calendars are just for kids?! I love, love, love these for me! Heaven’s knows there are enough calories around the holidays, we don’t need any more! Here are two calorie-free alternatives that would also make a perfect gift –
in fact if they ship to the US, I’ll be ordering one of these to give to a friend. Get your smeller ready, it’s Yankee Candle Advent Calendars. (Click the image to link through)
Or how about this Texas-sized Advent Calendar from Personal Creations that the whole family can enjoy?
I adore that it not only has pockets and the family name, it has plush characters the kids can move around on the tree.
Handcrafted Advent Calendars
If you’re into the more homespun look, I love this sweet handcrafted pennant calendar on Etsy from PeppermintPinwheels. Yes, I could probably make it, but why when it’s so cute already?
I might actually have a go at crafting one of these next two with the Princess Cupcake. She would love creating this reindeer banner from BalancingHome.com.
And I have so many ideas for this simple Advent jar by Penelope and Pip on Poppytalk.com.
You could write random acts of kindness ideas, scripture verses, love you’s, chores… It would make an adorable and meaningful decoration for a table top tree.
But you know what? The classic chocolate Advent calendar always works too. YUM.
Probably my favorite one though, is one that I already have. It’s a year-round countdown calendar that my friend Sabrina made in our craft exchange.
Sorry folks, this one is ALL mine. 🙂
Everyday should be a party, but that would be EXHAUSTING! I do like to plan for a big bash though. Here’s a few ways that we like to level up holidays and celebrations!
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