Comments on: Last Minute Advent Calendars

By: Melodie

Melodie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:02:21 +0000

@Christina – Yes I suppose there isn’t a big rush to start too many traditions with a baby. It’s hard not to want to though. Once you have a family I find you want to start doing everything all at once and then you have to wonder who it’s for. I like the Advent jar because as much as it’s great for teaching the kids something and giving them a jar to decorate, the adults are really the main participants and it feels good to be a good model for your children.

@Jennifer – I actually had never heard of the advent paper chain before I found the idea on-line. That’s so neat to hear that you grew up with it!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:24:15 +0000

Thank you for this great reminder! I had good intentions of making a fancy fabric calendar this year, but then I remembered – I have three kids! When in the world did I hope to accomplish that?

But when I was a kid, we always did the paper chain, and I had forgotten how much fun it is. Thank you for the reminder of a sweet part of my childhood. That’s what we’ll be doing today.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Bones

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:34:29 +0000

I love your ideas, and I’m going to take your idea of the Advent giving jar. Since my son is going to be just a year old this Christmas, we haven’t thought much yet about developing meaningful, non-material family traditions for the holiday. I’m looking forward to involving him in this one.
Christina´s last blog ..Newborns, nursing, and hospital(ity)

By: Melodie

Melodie — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:09:54 +0000

@FeministBreeder – If I was REALLY motivated I would have planned this months ago and had something spectacular to share today or I would have purchased the super awesome Etsy advent calendar I found. As it is I found these ideas the day before yesterday and crafted this morning. I find that planning crafts with the kids also ensures they get some quality mommy time on a day I’m otherwise usually trying to catch up with blog reading and writing.

@Jassica – What beautiful ideas you have! I especially love the Jesse Tree idea. While I’m not Christian myself I love the idea of everyone making the same ornament and trading with friends. Like a cookie exchange except more meaningful! The good deed angel idea is also a gem. Thank you for sharing!

By: Jassica

Jassica — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:57:31 +0000

Nice crafty ideas. I might try the chain to give my almost 4 year old a good visual of counting down to Christmas. We have several Advent activities this year.
Tonight we lit our Advent wreath and will hopefully remember to do so every evening until Christmas.
We also have a reusable advent box. There are little numbered boxes framing an empty manger scene. Each day, you open a door and add a magnetic figure to the scene. I think the kids will love it!
We also made a Jesse Tree set with the ladies at church. There are 28 ornaments, so you need 28 people to participate. Each person makes 28 copies of 1 ornament, then we all exchange. Each day, you add an ornament to the tree and read some verses. It tells Jesus’ story from the creation of the Earth, until His birth.
Also, a friend shared a craft where you color a little paper angel and place it on a piece of cardboard. Each day your child does a good deed and gets to add a cotton ball to the cardboard so that the angel is standing on a cloud. So cute!
Not sure if we have enough to do everyday… ;-P Really though, I think this will be great for building anticipation for Christmas, as well as keeping in mind “the Reason for the Season.”

Happy Advent!

By: TheFeministBreeder

TheFeministBreeder — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:46:40 +0000

Wow, these are such awesome ideas! I especially like the one about giving back a little each day. You’re so motivated. I’m so flipping lazy compared to this. I can barely get my ass out of bed and get the kid to pre-school, let alone be crafty every day. I envy you.
TheFeministBreeder´s last blog ..Full-time Worker, Full-time Student, Full-time Breastfeeder too