What's Inside the Advent Boxes?

Last week, I shared the advent calendar I made out of a ladder.

 

The kids are enjoying opening a box each day.

 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned, I didn't want to make an advent calendar that was filled with presents.   Instead, Jason shared with me a tradition that his mom did when he was a kid.  She made an advent calendar with a decoration each day that he would hang on an advent tree.

 

Remember the jewelry I bought at Hub's Place?  I talked about it in my thrift store haul video. 

 

I turned the vintage jewelry into miniature ornaments simply by attaching a ribbon to each one. 

 

We bought a little potted tree for $9 that we will plant.  It's the least we can do, since we cut two down every year.

 

Each day, the kids take turns hanging a vintage jewelry ornament on our little tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love how simple it looks.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the ornaments, each day there is an activity in one of the advent boxes.  I sat down one night with my calendar in hand and wrote out all of the activities to make sure they didn't conflict with our over-scheduled lifestyle. 

 

So, for example, I wouldn't schedule a "movie night" on an evening Imani has a basketball game or Christmas concert.  I jotted all of the activities in my personal planner so I could look ahead and plan whatever I needed around the activities.

 

 

I didn't get too fancy in making the activities.  I just wrote them quickly on little slips of paper and tucked them into the boxes.  It's fun to see how excited Imani gets each day to see what the activity will be.  Noah gets a kick out of hanging the ornaments.

 

 

 

Here is this year's list of advent activites:

 

1. Quinn (Elf on the shelf) returns. Can you find him?
2. Get Christmas tree #1 and decorate it
3. Make a Christmas Craft
4. Have hot cocoa before bed
5.  Watch "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer."
6. Set up the Christmas Village in the sitting room
7.  Watch "The Santa Claus"
8.  Run the "It's a Wonderful Run" 5k with jingle bells on your sneakers.
9. Visit the tree farm for tree #2 and decorate it.
10. Leave a note in someone's mailbox telling them how much you love their Christmas lights
11.Make room for Santa! Find some toys to donate to the Salvation Army.
12.  Read "The Polar Express" before bed
13.  Make a treat for the Christmas party
14. Tonight's the night: The Christmas party!!  Hang the glitter ornaments in the bay window with pretty ribbon.
15.   Go to "Hand of Man" to get your yearly ornament.
16. Movie Night!!!  Watch "Elf"
17. Set the table with candles and have a fancy dinner.  Play Christmas music during dinner.
18. Write a letter to a friend or family member you won't see at Christmas.
19. Read the Christmas story in Luke Chapter 2.
20. Drive around and see the Christmas lights. Sing Christmas songs!
21. Start your day off right! Have a piece of chocolate after breakfast!
22. Random Act of Kindness Day! Do something nice for a complete stranger.
23. Movie night!
24. Charitable Giving - visit Heifer International

In Honor of Sandy Hook

 

I don't watch much television.  I usually listen to the news in my car on Satellite Radio but Friday I was listening to Christmas music all day when I drove around for work.  I was really excited about our annual Christmas party that we host every year.

 

 

It was at my Christmas party that my friend, Lori told me about the tragedy in Connecticut.  I think I was in shock when she told me.

 

 

Over the course of the weekend, I intentionally did not seek out the news - I didn't want to hear about the shooter, see his image or give him any more attention and power than he had already been given.  Instead, I absorbed what Lori told me all weekend.

 

I cherished the sound of my children's voices when they woke me in the morning.

 

I prayed for the victims.

 

 

I sought guidance and understanding in church on Sunday morning.

 

 

Today, in honor of those in Connecticut, I am joining many other bloggers in pausing. 

 



An Advent Ladder

I've wanted to make an advent calendar every year since Imani was little.

 

 

I finally made one. 

 

 

Imani is almost twelve.

 

 

Don't judge me -- I just struggled with how to make one, what to put inside etc. etc.

 

 

I mean, they have a ton of advent calendars at Target and TJ Maxx and I've come close to purchasing one on several occasions. 

 

But I didn't want to fill the calendar with a bunch of presents . . . I think Christmas focuses too much on material objects already.

 

 

And I didn't want to fill it with candy.

 

 

We still have Halloween Candy left over . . . and NOT because nobody's eating it . . but because Imani is the fastest trick or treater I've ever seen.

 

I suppose I could fill it with toiletries from Rite Aid, since the Coupon Cowboy has quite a collection in my basement, but I didn't think that would be very fun for Imani.

 

 

Oh and I'm cheap "frugal."  I didn't want to spend $30 on an Advent calendar.

 

 

So I did some research online and found a lot of really great ideas of what to put inside the advent calendar so it wouldn't be all about gifts.  There are many great sites that list advent "activities" in lieu of gifts.

 

 

And remember that jewelry I found at Hub's Place?  It made its way into my advent calendar too.  I'll share more on that (along with the activities) later.

 

In the meantime, do you like my calendar?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I knew I wanted to incorporate my ladder.  We have two ladders in our house that I use simply for decorating.  I love them. If I could put a ladder in every room and not have people think I was crazy, I would do it.  I once wrote about ways to decorate with ladders here.   Now we could add the advent calendar to that list!

 

Anyway, this advent calendar was pretty simple to make, and it only cost me $2.

I found little white boxes in the wedding section of the dollar store.  You get 12 in a package for $1, so I picked up two.

 

Then I nicely asked Jason if he'd write all of the numbers on the boxes . . . since I've told you a million times I'm really sloppy and he's a perfectionist.

 

I had to nag him a bunch but he finally granted my wish . . . he's never failed me.

 

Then, I filled the boxes with the activities and tied each box to my ladder with red and white baker's twine that I had left over from my Christmas cards.

 

That's it.  I'm hoping those little boxes hold up for many years so we can carry this tradition well into Noah's childhood without having to re-create the calendar.

 

What about you? Do you have an advent calendar? Did you make it and if so, how?  What do you put in it? I'd love to hear.

 

Homemade Gift Ideas

The Christmas season is in full-swing.

 

Have you started making any of your gifts yet?

 

 

I haven't!

 

But I sure have spent a good deal of time on Pinterest finding great gifts to make.  If I actually got off of Pinterest and started making some of these amazing gifts, I might be in good shape.

 

 

Every year, Imani and I try to make at least a couple of homemade gifts.  One year it was Christmas ornaments, one year it was cookie mix in Ball jars, and one year we knitted gifts.

 

I also try to make something for Imani each year.  I've knitted her fingerless gloves and even made a quilt once (I'm NOT a seamstress . . . AT ALL).

 

Making homemade gifts shows the person to whom you're giving  that you actually took the time to create something for them.  Anyone can slap down a little cash or a credit card at Target and check someone off their list.

Another reason I love homemade gift giving is because it's quality time spent with my child.  We enjoy the time making something for someone else . . . and it teaches generosity far more than purchasing something in the store.

The problem is, we're all pressed for time . . . so of course I buy gifts in the store just like everyone else, but I do make a point to make at least a few gifts each year. 

 

Here are some of my favs from the wonderful world of Pinterest.

 

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to make at least a couple.



Photo Coasters

People love getting gifts of photos -- whether the photos are of memories you shared together, your kids, their kids, their dog, or an artistic photo, this is sure to be a winner.

 

Source: homemade.tipjunkie.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Seriously? Who wouldn't want this?  I little jar of goodness.  Yum.


 

Source: tidymom.net via Stephenie on Pinterest

 

 

DIY Photo Canvas

 

Photo canvases are all the rage. You can find companies all over the Internet with various sizes of photo canvas options.  I love the idea of trying to make one myself.

 

 

                                                                              Source: theshabbycreekcottage.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

Photo Board

If the photo canvas isn't your thing and you'd like something a bit more rustic, try this photo board, using just an inexpensive board from your local hardware store and Modge Podge!

Source: mommymodelsblog.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

 

Cute Chalk Board

This one is a dollar store tray turned chalk board embellished with a ribbon.  I LOVE it.  I would like it even more if the tray were a vintage tray, but I love it nonetheless.  It would make a great hostess gift. 


 

                                                                                            Source: pin2fun28.blogspot.com via Stephenie on Pinterest



Recipes in a Jar

 

I  had to include this one because it's one of my favorite gifts to receive and to give.  Let's face it, everyone is busy.  I love having a little jar of yummy where all I have to do is add oil, water and eggs and I have my recipe done.    There are so many "food in a jar" variations.

 Quickbread
 

Source: the36thavenue.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

 

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Source: heygorg.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granola

Source: annapolisandcompany.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

 
Photo Pillows


Can you tell I like to give photo gifts?

 

Source: pocketfulwhimsy.blogspot.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

Recipe Tea Towels


Transfer a family recipe to a tea towel.

Nostalgic. 

Easy.

Practical.

LOVE.

Source: blog.spoonflower.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

Ice Cream Sundae Kit

I once got a gift like this when I was a teacher and I thought it was the cutest idea.  I love ice cream . . . and I like to make my ice cream fancy with LOTS of toppings but I hate spending money on all of those toppings.  So this gift is right up my alley.

Source: mixingbowlkids.typepad.com via Stephenie on Pinterest

There are so many wonderful ideas for homemade gifts on Pinterest.


What are your favorite gifts to make?  What are you making this year?

 If you see a homemade gift idea that you think is extra special, post it to Decorating Addiction's Facebook page wall, email it to me or put the link in the comments below.   I'd love to see it!

 

 

Holding on to Magical Moments

 

I've been having Christmas light envy.

 

You know - when you drive around town and see everyone's houses all decorated, lights twinkling across their rooftops, beautifully decorated trees peeking out of window panes when you haven't hung a single strand of lights.

 

 

Yeah, I was itching to get at least a strand of lights hung but I've been busy with work and Jason has been training for a little 5K that we're doing this weekend.

 

 

But we set out this weekend with my brother and sister in law to find tree #1 (you might remember that we get two trees each year).    As a side note - my brother-in-law is Jason's brother -- who has become another coupon cowboy.  My sister-in-law Shannon and I are the lucky ladies who have shelves and shelves of hair care products at our disposal.  (Sorry I didn't get a picture of Joe and Shannon and my niece Kendra but I swear they were all there with us!)

 

It's a family tradition for us to go out and cut down our trees every year and this year, Noah got to walk the fields right along with us.




 

 

 

He was fascinated by everything, including this pine branch his Uncle Joe plucked from a tree for him.

 

 

 

 

 

He quickly discovered that he liked the way it smelled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a while of searching, we found just the tree we were looking for:  tall but not too fat.  We have a tendency to get really bushy trees that take up our whole living room.  We tried to avoid that this year.  We kept thinking the tree we found might not be tall enough.  If you've ever cut a tree down, you know the feeling of thinking all of the trees look small once you're out in the woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But based on how difficult it was for Jason and Joe to get the tree up to the car, we figured it must be bigger than we thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was certainly tall enough. Jason couldn't even reach the top when he was standing on the ladder and we had to put the tree where the skylights are to give it extra room!

 

 



 

 

We made a big pot of chili (a tradition each year) and got to work decorating.  Noah needed a little help at first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But he quickly caught on, and joined his sister Imani, who is a pro at decorating trees now.

 

 

 

 

 

There's something magical about decorating the tree each year.  I wish I could hold the feeling in my heart all year long.

 

 

 

 

 

But the busyness of life goes on . . . Monday comes and I go to work, doing my very best to work my hardest and my perspective changes -- if only for a work day -- what's important shifts to job, bills, errands.

 

And only one night after the decorating started and that magical feeling begins to fade, I come home from work and see this.

 



 

 

And I'm reminded of the magic of the season all over again.

 

 



Teaching the Value of Hard Work

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I enjoyed seeing my family and I am definitely enjoying a couple of days off from work!  It's been pretty intense over the last month, so I am enjoying time to read, knit, craft and just relax with my family!

 

A while back I mentioned that we have a new system of how to pay allowance to Imani so I wanted to take the time to share it with all of you.  It has been working out well so far and we've been doing it for a few months.

 

As I mentioned before, we used to just give Imani $20 every month.  She was only expected to help out as needed, make her bed and sweep the stairs.  We came to realize that this method wasn't really working out so well.  Half of the time, her bed wasn't made and the stairs were rarely swept.  Nonetheless, she had her little hand extended every 1st day of the month in expectation of her $20. 

 

So we decided we would start to pay her weekly, rather than monthly, and we would give her a list of a bunch of things around the house that need to be done regularly. 

 

We keep a big bottle of marbles and each marble is worth 25 cents.  Each time Imani does something off of the list, she gets a marble (or two, depending on the chore).

 

Sometimes, Imani thinks of other things she would like to do (like vacuum my car or brush Maggie or clean Noah's room) and she will ask if she can get a marble for it.

She keeps all of her marbles for the week in a different jar.  On Sunday, we count up how much we owe her and we pay her for her work.  She is expected to save 10 percent and donate 10 percent (anywhere she'd like - sometimes it goes to Church, sometimes to the library, sometimes to the SPCA . . . wherever she feels like giving).

 

 

 

 

 

When we first rolled this out, Imani was on a mission:  She cleaned the whole house and practically filled her jar with marbles.  Jason and I got nervous that we'd be handing over half of our bank account to Imani.

 

But over time her enthusiasm has leveled out. During the week, when homework, basketball and practicing her violin take up a lot of her time, she doesn't do as much to earn marbles.

 

We've noticed that on the weekends, she will often pick up a broom instead of the iPad.  It's been great.

 

Another cool thing about this is that if we ask Imani to help us with something and she doesn't, or if she misbehaves, talks back etc, we will tell her she needs to take a marble out of her jar.  Yes, we "charge" her in a way. 

 

We expect that she will still contribute in a meaningful and positive way in the house: that she doesn't ONLY help for marbles -- so if we ask for help or tell her to do something (like pick up her room), she is expected to do it without complaint and without earning a marble.

 

There is one chore that is expected every day and she doesn't get a marble for it.  She must make her bed.  If she doesn't make her bed, she has to take a marble out of her jar. The exception is if OUR bed isn't made . . . then we can't charge her.  She loves to see if our bed is made so it sort of keeps us all accountable.

 

There have also been times when I see her do something incredibly generous or kind and I want her to know I recognized it -- so I'll tell her later, "I really liked how you were generous with your friend when she came over today.  I'd like to give you an extra marble in your jar."

 

She loves when that happens.

 

Don't get me wrong; on more than one occasion Imani has grumbled, "Can we go back to the old way for allowance?! I hate this way."  She hates it because she actually has to DO something to get the money. 

 

But she loves getting paid weekly. 

 

She loves seeing the marbles accumulate in the jar,

 

and she loves being in control of being paid more.

 

She's been really motivated because she is saving up for a Macbook.  She also told me last week that this year, she wants to buy me and Jason a present for Christmas with her own money, so she's been setting some of her money aside for that. 

 

I'm really proud of her.

 

Some of the things she can do to make money are:

 

Sweep the stairs - 25cents

Empty the bathroom garbage cans - 25 cents

Vacuum the house - 50 cents

Pick up Maggie's dog doo doo in the yard - 50 cents (we know we're making out on this one . . . but she must know it too because she never does it!!)

Dust - 25cents

Put in a load of laundry - 25 cents

Load the dishwasher - 25 cents

 

 That's just a snapshot of a few of the chores.  She can always ask if there is something else she'd like to do.

 

We believe it's important for Imani to have money of her own so she understands how to save, how to make smart purchases and the value of hard work.

 

So far, this system has worked well for us!

 

I'd love to hear how all of you pay allowance (or why you don't pay allowance) to your children.

 

Have a great weekend.  "See" you Monday (I promise :-)