Our New Advent Calendar

Today is December 1st. The first day we get to use our new advent calendar. I scoured the stores looking for a nativity advent calendar, but couldn't find anything that was in our budget. So I made one that fits our family perfectly, for now.

Every day we open a box and there is a small treat (think 2 very small gum balls or chocolate coins) and an activity to do as a family. Today's activity was setting up and decorating the mini trees in their bedrooms. When they were itty bitty babies my friend Pam gave them each a mini Christmas trees with lights and each year she has added an ornament or a tree skirt. They are very cute.

Some of our other advent activities include taking a drive to see Christmas lights, reading Christmas books, making a gingerbread house, baking Christmas cookies, drinking hot cocoa and watching a Christmas movie, etc. We are definitely getting into the Christmas spirit over here in Iowa.

The kids are loving it. They begged to open the first box today, but they had to wait until Dave got home from work. Then as soon as they were done chewing their gum and decorating their trees they were ready to open another box. I think they were a little disappointed that they couldn't open another one until tomorrow.