Starting Our Family's Advent Calendar Tradition
I have been making a list of new traditions to start for my family since before we had a family… it was always something that made me so excited to be a mom — to bring traditions old and new into our home. We started some last holiday season (like having full blown family christmas weekend starting the day after Thanksgiving, and absolutely no Christmas before then..) but Harry will be 21 months (WHAT HOW WHEN) this Christmas season, and it’s starting to become really fun to explain to him all the magic that is this time of year.
Anyways, one of the traditions I really wanted to amp up was our advent calendar. Growing up, I remember always getting a chocolate one with my dad from our local grocer, I think the girl scouts actually sold them there, but either way, it was something I always looked forward to, and would rush home from school, or sneak for breakfast, that small piece of chocolate.
I wanted our family advent calendar to be something we bring out for years and years, that will be forever a large part of our family’s Christmas memories, and maybe even something our grandchildren can take part in, if we’re so lucky.
I finally came upon the perfect one, from Fabelab — their Christmas House Wall Calendar, which seems to now be sold out.. GAH But Scandiborn still has some amazing other options here, and one of my favorite brands Gathre is restocking their beautiful version.
[UPDATE — Went down a deep rabbit hole and found the Fabelab calendar on Minifli and Bobby Rabbit]
Here’s a peak of our advent calendar so far.. as you can see it still is waiting on a few little goodies, and I need to wrap a few items!
As for what we’re putting in it.. this is the fun part! I think each year it will be different of course as Harry’s interests change, and of course god willing there will be another baby (or more..) joining us in the future but for THIS year, we’re going to do a combination of small things — some things new, some things found in my parents attic from my childhood, and a few things I’ve bought over the months and have been waiting to give to him. Harry is only going to get one gift, so his calendar is going to be a little bit more exciting than it probably will be in future years. ..
Small wooden animals/trees that complement his gift from Santa — a wooden toy tree fort for all his little animal friends to live in
Colorful, holiday tape
Wooden cars — I found in the clearance section at Michael’s — they’re meant to be painted as a craft but they’re super adorable just left plain wood
One of my dad’s old woodworking aprons — Harry is obsessed with toolbelts and I think it’d be really nice to have one of my dads!
‘Canyon’ Gathre mat for his cars & trucks — make sure to take advantage of their Black Friday sale while it’s on!
Yearly Christmas ornament — each year will reflect a huge interest or event, Harry’s this year is a dump truck, obviously.
Christmas stickers
I plan on wrapping a few things so they’re fun to open, and leave others in the pockets!
Are you doing an Advent calendar this year? If so, what are you putting in yours?