Being out of our house during this festive holiday season without a place to trim a tree, our Christmas decorations packed away we Needed a little Christmas, right this very Minute!
After spotting this DIY reusable Advent Calendar post on Design Mom I knew it would be a good tradition to start. I didn’t get the idea until November 30th so there wasn’t time to cut out canvas bags and make them all at once {cutely tied up with baker’s twine}. Which is working out fine, since I can cater the surprise to what we have going on that day.
Each morning a numbered paper bag appears at the breakfast table containing some holiday cheer. A treat, an activity, a holiday event…big or small, it doesn’t really matter. A bit of Christmas Magic. Carson opens the even day bags, Hadley the odd {and if it contains a note she hands it over to big brother to read aloud}.
So far here’s what each bag has contained. I’ll be adding the new one each day so be sure to check back!
1. Christmas tree lighting on Mississippi followed by a cozy evening watching Christmas movies
2. Jason’s company family-friendly holiday party
3. Hot chocolate with marshmallows for breakfast!
4. Holiday window gel clings
5. Baking cookies with GaGa
6. Dinner downtown and a viewing of the Gingerbread display in the Benson Hotel lobby.
7. Holiday candy
8. Christmas cookie assortment (I attended a cookie exchange cocktail party the night before)
9. An evening drive scoping out Christmas lights while wearing jammies (and licking candy canes cranking holiday tunes)
10. Baking mini gingerbread muffins.
11. Hello Kitty hairpins {Hadley} and a Slinky {Carson}
12. Viewing of the the Christmas Ships and party at Oaks Amusement Park {an annual tradition – thanks Jim!}
13. Hanukkah dinner and candle lighting with friends and neighbors
14. Bagel run for breakfast
15. Ornament making
16. Breakfast with Santa!
17. Glow sticks
18. Lunch out with mama {pickup from school}
19. Elf on the Shelf!
Picking out her candy cane at Hattie’s Sweet Shop before our Christmas Lights Drive {sugar plum, please}:
Visiting the Benson Hotel gingerbread display:
Decking the Halls:
What a great idea! I’m sure Carson and Hadley love all the surprises each day!
LOVE it! I can’t wait to use this idea with Henry in a couple years! I look forward to reading about the rest of your surprises this month. 🙂
Oh what fun! Hope some of the traditions continue even when you can deck your very own halls.
This is one of our favorite traditions! The only thing is that once you start it, they do expect it every year. 🙂
Wendy – I should give you credit. Ever since I learned of your Advent tradition with the envelopes I’ve wanted to do it, too. Finally got around to it!