A Christ-Centered Christmas--Gearing Up!

Greg Olsen, Angels of Christmas

This season, I felt I was starting my Christmas planning WAY in advance. Since the day after Halloween, I have been racking my brain for advent calendar ideas. (I've been listening to Christmas music and sneaking in holiday decor since the week before Halloween, but we try not to discuss that.) We do have a garland-type "Christmas Activity Advent" up and ready to go, a new one that I began last year and which I will feature in a day or two, but I have been wanting to create another, more calendar-oriented advent.

And so it was that The Great Advent Hunt has lasted most of November: I have been searching high and low for a little chipboard drawer thing that I could get crafty with, cover with paper and cute sparkly numbers, and hide little treats in. I could not find those drawers ANYwhere. It is now officially Too Late. So I'm giving up the dream and hoping I'll remember next year that (grrrrr) if you're going to craft a Christmas Creation, begin in August.

Here is the inspiration:

It's listed in this etsy shop

This version is also delightful, found at cut.color.create., a blog I like to stalk from time to time when I want to be a crafty voyeur.

found here.

I also like this advent by the-one-and-the-only Ali Edwards.

found here.

I really should have started my search in September if I was going to let the crafty magic fly.

I think I'll just stick to what I do best: Holiday Baking. After all, You can't eat chipboard drawers, right? The true talent lies in the art of delicious carb-creations. (I'll just keep telling myself that.)

After giving that detailed history of The Great Advent Hunt '09, we now finally come to the "Christ-Centered Christmas" from the title of this post.

The other day I came across this darling little advent you can print right off the internet here at The Friend. Cuter than anything my crafty magic could produce. (Be sure to scroll halfway down the page to find it).

Here is a sample of what you will find. So cute. And simple!

I have planned a simple, easy, fun Christmas this year--(mainly because we can't afford presents, but I am calling it "simple and fun,")--a relaxed month of mostly doing projects with my kids that create cozy Christmas memories.


And...
[Stay tuned for A Christ-Centered Christmas, beginning December 1st. I will feature an easy activity and scripture to do with your family each day of December.

I am so excited to do this with my family; it would be fun for other blog moms to do it with me and share our experiences.]