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It's December 5th, and:
1. Christmas shopping is done (AND WRAPPED, MOFOS!)
2. Decorations are paired down to "I love this and must have it out or it isn't Christmas!" rather than "Well, it's in the box so I should find a spot for the damn thing."
3. Unloved decorations are at Goodwill.
4. The advent calendar full of Super Fantastic Christmas Family Fun Time!!! that I created months ago is making my life ah-mazingly simple now.
Last Christmas, I read lots of blog posts about homemade, candy-stuffed advent calendars and thought they were brilliant. (Those craft bloggers. Man. Full o' The Genius.) But instead of candy and little toys, I wanted our calendar full of activities for the entire family to enjoy. Ice skating! The Nutcracker Ballet! Children's Theater!
Annnnd...then I realized my dream calendar would leave our family exhausted and broke. (Damn you, craft bloggers and your unattainable ideals!!!)
Okay, so The Nutcracker was out--but how about a movie night in our family room watching The Polar Express? Or playing board games? Or a slumber party under the Christmas tree? That crap is FREE!
There are some ridiculously gorgeous advent calendars on the internet and frankly? I'm embarrassed to show mine. It's a generic scrapbook page hanging on my fridge with mismatched magnets. (I know. GET BACK. The craftiness is underwhelming.) But it's a fun way to give the girls a little non-negotiable surprise each day and keeps the whining and "When is it going to be Christmas???" to a minimum.
Planning it forced me to get my act together back in October and schedule special events like Breakfast with Santa and A Christmas Story theater performance while the good seats were still available. After that, it only took a few hours to brainstorm a list of
So far, one little paper advent calendar has been a huge comfort to me and is making our Christmas season relaxed and fun.
Well. That and hot chocolate with raspberry vodka. Mmmm.
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7 comments:
Your calendar is beautiful! What a creative idea.
I'm so jealous that you are already done christmas shopping.
What a great idea!
Girl! You are SO ahead of the game! Yay, you!
Such a great idea! I think I'll keep this on my list for next year!
(and hurray, you're back!)
So, ummm, can you tell us what all is on your calendar so I can totally cheat and steal ideas for next year's advent calendar from you? pleeeeezzz!
Your calendar is awesome! What fantastic memories you are making. My girls are in their 30's and it is so fun to listen to their favorite memories. You are doing a great job!
You rock. I bought the chocolate calendars from the dollar store... and the only Christmas activity we have done was decorating ornaments and it ended with two kids being sent to their rooms.
I bow to you.
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