Let Us Count the Ways

I've looked for years for a great advent calendar. I've considered cross stitching one i found from a pattern somewhere in Denmark (uh, proofing this i think it sounds like I've been to Denmark. That would be a big fat no. Sadly the only places i've been out of the US are Mexico, Canada and Aruba. My computer took me to Denmark, though, and they have some great cross stitching shops!). But nothing out there is quite what i'm looking for. In the past we've done a Christmas paper chain and removed a "link" each night. Last year Doug's mom sent both boys a homemade advent--very cute--the top was a small stuffed animal. Falling from the stuffed animal were wrapped candies and small ornaments to remove each day.

This year? We're a little out of control over here. We've got the small wooden tree that Doug's sister sent to us years ago. It has a gold wire on the top with beads you move each day until you get the star bead at the top of the tree which means Christmas! We've got the Christmas books that we open each night--one of my favorite traditions. We have 22 books, but i'm only using 17 of them this year. I love that the boys enjoy this tradition so much.


New this year is the Christmas Kisses advent Doug's mom made for us. Can you read the poem? We each have our own bag of 24 Hershey Kisses and eat one each night. A popular option in these parts.


Then...i found a Playmobil Pirates advent at TJMaxx last week (gotta love that place!). The boys loooove this one. A new pirate accessory each day to add to their collection. They bug me about it all.day.long, in what would be a fun and excited way, but it gets old listening to them pester me about what could possibly be in the next box (are you thinking "Bah humbug" to me??!!). (The next box has a palm tree in it, OK?? Yes, a palm tree! Does that excite you?).


Also, I cut out the Friend magazine's activity about Christmas Around the World. There are 24 descriptions of Christmas traditions in other countries and the boys match the description to a corresponding picture. We often forget to do this one, but they enjoy catching up on it.

And finally. My sister sent me a very fun little gifty just this week. Love this guy! My advent hunt is over! He will be with us for years to come!


With all of these methods, there should be no way we miss the Big Day. Phew! Crisis averted!