Although I don’t follow an organized religion, I’ve always loved the advent calendar. I often had one on my bulletin board during the holiday season when I was a child and loved opening up the little paper doors to reveal the picture or quote within. The idea that the days leading up to a holiday are as special as the holiday itself and feeling joy over a little surprise each day still appeals to me. I also appreciate that advent calendars are a tradition in Germany as I have German ancestry.
My advent calendars way back when were red and green and filled with illustrations of santa, reindeer and snowman. Today, I tend to favor a calendar with a simple and rustic feel.
This advent calendar tree by Slippin’ Southern can hold little gift bags, candies or small envelopes. However, I like the idea of mini notecards that you turn over each day to reveal a picture, quote or one word gratitude. The card would then be placed back on the tree with its surprise side showing. When Christmas day arrives, you will have a lovely display of photos, illustrations or words of inspiration to display. The tree is available in twenty different colors but I prefer the white shown here.
These reusable linen drawstring bags are adorable and add a bit of texture to a modern room. They are hand sewn and hand painted by Henrike of Milch & Honig. White bags are also available with silver or gold numbers. I’d love these with a little wooden German or Danish figurine or toy in each bag that would make a complete holiday table top scene by Christmas day. (I have a few of my favorite pieces in my Oh Christmas Tree post in 2011).
Will you have an advent calendar this year?
Images via merchants’ etsy shop.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
These are great! We have a wooden advent calendar with a bunch of doors that have numbers on them. The full box has a pretty winter scene painted on it. We fill it up with treats and let the boys open each door as we get ready for Xmas. They love it!
I do see these calendars every year. Guess it is a fun way to enjoy the holiday for the whole of Dec instead of just one day. Maybe for next year!
Agreed! I find advent calendars fun and appealing. It’s that little kid in all of us. Who doesn’t want to open to see if it’s a toy or candy inside? I like the Milch & Honig because it’s re-useable and classic looking. If I had kids, I would put cute little stocking stuffer toys.
I’m certain my mom still has the advent calendar I made in kindergarten. It was a giant candle made of construction paper and laminated. 24 Holes were punched out along the sides with ribbon tied to the holes, and on the bottom there was a hole with a bell and a ribbon attached to it. Every night we’d take off a ribbon until we reached the bell on Christmas morning. It was simple and sweet, but I’d love to graduate to something a little more grown up like the ones you blogged about.
I’m partial to the ones with the chocolate inside. But this gives me an idea, I could totally do this with the students in my classroom.
PS: I saw your comment on my blog, and I don’t plan on having kids either. It’s nice to know someone else on the same wavelength:)
We always get the ones with the chocolate and have to guess what the symbol is before we open it.