star advent

I wanted to make a new advent calendar this year to hang on the black wall. I sewed 24 paper stars (and stuffed each one with a little surprise...a piece of a new playmobil nativity set) and then hung the stars from a fresh pine garland. I love how the stars pop against the black wall. We've just been cutting out the backs of the stars to remove the daily surprise so we can enjoy the stars all month long. I may even be able to reuse them next year. And miraculously, Simon hasn't ripped them all down! The kids have loved opening the stars every day (and have also fought relentlessly about whose turn it is...we need to have an advent next year dedicated to advent assignments).

Christmas around the house.

 

starting the advent calendars...

I was a little slow getting the advent calendars started this year since we were gone right up until December 1. I made sure to wrap the Christmas books before we left since this is always a favorite of the kids. Each of the kids also got a chocolate advent calendar from Trader Joe's. Simon finished his off on December 2.

advent calendars.

As always, a few new additions to the advent calendar collection this year...

Our Christmas book collection, wrapped and ready to be opened. We've done this for a few years now and the kids love opening a book every day. Also, Ben built these fantastic shelves with some beautiful reclaimed wood we found. Perfect for keeping Christmas decorations out of Simon's reach.

My friend Jessica, knowing my love of advent calendars, sent me a few ideas she found online and I loved this wreath advent. It was easy to make, although time consuming to wrap all those tiny presents (stickers, small stamps, chocolates, erasers, pencils, etc). I used greenery and berries from our yard!

I found this old soda crate at an antique store a few months ago and immediately thought it would be perfect for an advent calendar. I made number tags and hung them from small boxes using washi tape. I attached a vintage Christmas picture on the other side of the box so each day we turn a box around after we remove the contents. Each box contain a puzzle piece for an advent puzzle of a nativity scene, with scriptures on each piece. (An advent within an advent. Yes, I'm crazy.) The puzzle has been the one advent that has really helped Oliver understand how many days are left until Christmas.

 

I got this cute little paper village from Paper Source and it came with a joke to put in each little house.

The kids have loved the Playmobil advent. It's the first one they do in the morning.