Advent Calendar 2013

I like traditions. Something I grew up lacking during the holidays. We didn’t have any special activity to mark a holiday. There were no special trips to get a Christmas tree, singing carols around the piano, baking cookies, or watching a Christmas movie while eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate.

Now that I have a family of my own, I really want to start a tradition that my son can always count on, especially during Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. I love the smell of the Christmas trees, the lights in the streets, the festive atmosphere,  Christmas carols (which I’m listening to right now as I type this…”It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”) and how people seems extra merrier this time of the year.

Something we always do is get a fresh tree. NO FAKE TREES ALLOWED IN MY HOUSE! Come on people, it’s one time a year. Do away with that fake tree that’s been sadly gathering dust all year long in your garage, and go get the real stuff! The scent alone that will perfume your house for the next month will be worth it. I promise.

What I would really love is to go to a tree farm and cut down my own tree. Well, I take that back. What I really would love is to go to a tree farm and WATCH my hubby cut down a tree. But I have yet to succeed in this persuasion. Maybe next year (ahem, hint hint).

As my son gets older and is now more aware of holidays and their meanings, I started to do an advent calendar. Last year was my first time ever making or even experiencing advent calendar activities. My son had a blast coming down the stairs, finding the day, and picking out an activity (I prefer activities over toys since activities seem more meaningful and create more memories). I’m not going to lie, it was more work than I thought in coming up with the activities and actually having to do them. In some ways, it was a very long 24 days! 🙂 But I love that my little one, when older, will be able to look back and have these special memories. And hopefully continue them when he has a family of his own.

I had fun making this year’s advent calendar. It took some planning since the pouches has to be sewn up. No coming up with the activity the night before like I did last year. And if you don’t know yet, I’m NOT a planner. I gave myself some major props (and unusual amount of chocolate chip cookies) for planning 24 days of December activities in November. Woohoo!

Here’s to the official beginning of Christmas season of 2013! The best time of the year!