Christmas Countdown & Advent Calendars

Tomorrow is the first day of December, the start of Advent season and the “Official Day We Open the Advent Calendar”. My boys count down to this day, year after year, anticipating a cherished holiday family tradition.

What Advent calendar we use changes from year to year. When they were very small we dared not pass their grubby toddler fingers much more than their simple paper cutouts colored in Sunday School. As they grew we found joy in Lego countdowns, then teeny craft-filled punchouts, and even a string of mittens, crocheted by a dear friend, hanging haphazardly from our mantle.

This year my boys verge achingly close to that invisible line our babes inevitably cross, and I know there are only a handful more of precious Decembers dripping in Christmas magic. Tomorrow we open a new Advent calendar together. As we count down the days in wide-eyed wonder, piecing together a gorgeous wooden puzzle, I’ll revel in the simple joy of their childlike hope and anticipation.

I’ll let y’all know in a month, but I think we’ll keep this one around for more than one season.

Advent Calendars We Love This Year

If your family is eager for a new Advent tradition, I’d like to share two with you that I’m excited about this year. The Advent Calendar that we’ll use is from Trove. The Modern Advent Calendar is their puzzle spin on the tradition. 25 small burlap bags, each with their own pin ready to hang from twine, contain a handful of wooden puzzle pieces. Each night the pieces add to the growing puzzle, building toward its completion on Christmas Day. We’ll pair it with a reading or short activity, and I can hardly wait for the buzz of anticipation from our puzzle-loving boys.

If you have smaller children, or you’re just starting your own Advent traditions, then Winnefred Austen has a charming board book made for little hands and learning. Written in a sing-song voice of joy and praise, this sweet book grows with your children. We think it will surely become a cherished holiday favorite. Inspired by her own storybook, the author also created a calendar called Joyful Noise Advent Cards. 26 hand-illustrated cards count down the days of December. Made from matte card stock, they’re sturdy enough to hang from your mantle or keep on your coffee table. Together with the book, these two treasures fill the countdown with wonder and joy.

However your family finds joy in celebrating the season, we wish you a Happy Holiday!

-Monica