christmas advent.

since my last post, my husband and i have been completely swept off our feet by a little bundle of sweetness.  her name is bay, and she is 5 weeks old. 

bay has been the impetus for many new traditions that we have already begun to make, and hope to continue to make as we grow our little family.  this year i wanted to make an advent that we would be able to use for years to come.  it will be a surprise for my husband and i just can't wait to show him. 

using this photo as inspiration, i made a trip to the Ikea salvage room where i picked up this old shelf piece for just $3.00.  with some clothespins, a red paint pen, and some hot glue, it was a snap to put together.

if you are looking for a little advent inspiration of your own, here are the 25 ideas tucked inside each of our envelopes (not necessarily in order):

1. Go and light all the candles you can find in the house, and then sing together “Go Tell It on the Mountain”.

2. Whoever has gone the longest since brushing their teeth must sing “All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth”

3. Put this cinnamon in some water on the stove, and let the house fill with the Christmas aroma.

4. Slice up this orange to make sweet-smelling ornaments:  Slice orange thinly, blot dry, place on parchment paper on baking sheet, sprinkle both sides with 10x sugar, and bake at 200F for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway.  Once cool, string on ribbon!

5. Roast these chestnuts over an “open fire” (or in the oven ;o) ).  As you put them in the oven sing “The Christmas Song”.

6. Make yourselves piping hot mugs of hot cocoa, and tell each other the best part of your day.

7. Pop up some kernels of corn and string them to hang around the Christmas tree!

8. Get out some fluffy marshmallows and roast them to perfection over the stovetop. 

9. Get in the car and drive around to look at Christmas lights.

10. Pick out one favorite book and curl up on the couch for daddy to read it aloud.

11. Go outside and find the prettiest leaf that you can.  At the count of 3, everyone throw your leaf in the air and say “goodbye” to Fall.  

12. Hop in the car and head to John James Audobon’s farm for their Holiday Openhouse!  Sunday, December 2^nd, 1-4pm. The house and museum will be decorated for the holidays inside and out. Events include:

live owl presentations, live music, workshops, and a scavenger hunt! Enjoy cookies and cider. 

13. Snuggle up in a mountain of blankets and watch a favorite Christmas movie.

14. Make a batch of delicious Christmas cookies and take them to our neighbors.

15. Curl up around the Christmas tree and turn off all lights except for the tree.  Have daddy read the story of Jesus’ birth aloud.

16. Call Great-Grandpa Bill/Grandma Sally and Great-Grandma Elsie and sing them a favorite Christmas carol.

17. Call Great-Grandpa/Grandma Berger and Bee-Bee/Pop-Pop and sing them a favorite Christmas carol.

18. Grab some paper and scissors and make paper snowflakes to hang in the doorways!

19. Bundle up and walk downtown to the Firebird Festival!  Saturday, December 8^th, events all day. Firebird Burning starting at 8pm.

20. Open stockings as a family, starting with the youngest person first.

21. Read Philippians 4:6, and take time to pray for those around the world who may be hurting, in need, or who don’t know Jesus. 

22. Read these verses and talk about all that was accomplished through Jesus coming to earth:

John 3:17               Matthew 18:11

John 12:46             John 10:10

1 John 3:8              1 John 4:9

23. Go on a “midnight” walk in the dark before bedtime. 

24. This one’s just for mommy and daddy: 

Grab this mistletoe and head to the closest doorway.  Hold the branch over your heads and give each other a big ole kiss. ;o)

25. MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Celebrate with food, family, fellowship, and gifts, and remember the reason for it all.  Jesus came so that we may have ABUNDANT life in Him.  

-- jessie