Between pregnancy, Manu being in the bishopric and having his early december trip, two very active children, being young womens president, the upcoming young women in excellence, being in charge of playgroup and deciding to make many of our kids christmas presents, this holiday season has seemed a bit crazy and overwhelming. Growing up we always did an advent calender for Christmas and it was one of my favorite things, but this year I was thinking it might just be best to forgo this tradition to simplify our life a bit. The idea of coming up with things to put in every day and then make sure we actually do that thing on that day just did not seem practical this year. However today when I saw these . . .
http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/12/fourth-day-of-christmas-with-christie.html
an idea hit me. We could do a reverse advent. Everyday Teah could do something that represents a gift to Jesus - help her brother clean his room, be patient or help play with her brother while mom is busy, etc. And then rather than taking something out of the pocket she can put a little heart in the pocket each day until we get to Christmas. So much simpler for me and more in the spirit of Christmas. Of course we will still do lots of other things to get ready for Christmas (including making some of those ornaments), but now it will be a bit more flexible as to how many and when. And for the advent calender now all I have to do is print out a page of hearts and hang it.
Anyway I have more things that I should post complete with pictures, but we will see if I get to it. I just wanted to get this up in case anyone else was feeling a bit overwhelmed this Christmas season.
PS here is a page of hearts I found
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fontriver.com/i/maps/hearts_galore_map.png&imgrefurl=http://www.fontriver.com/font/hearts_galore/&usg=__VzK8z0QtuXSv4C72m61NU_KTkqo=&h=577&w=532&sz=22&hl=en&start=84&sig2=J4aD1r63VZVwXtZbffzYRg&zoom=1&tbnid=bXXnPPb1NXJIzM:&tbnh=168&tbnw=155&ei=ebn3TJXyKMWclge0uJyLAg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhearts%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1109%26bih%3D821%26tbs%3Disch:10,3125&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=311&oei=17j3TOHIDoT6lweqyqiKAg&esq=2&page=5&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:84&tx=77&ty=68&biw=1109&bih=821
and I am going to print them on a manila folder to make the a bit stiffer.
3 comments:
That is a really great idea! You certainly have a lot of things going on. I would love to see what gifts you are making your kids.
I saved the slips of paper from my advent calendar last year so I don't have to think things up again, but you better believe it includes mostly small/simple things like "Sing Jingle Bells".
Great idea, Juliet's was good too.
Wow your life is full with activity, what a wonderful thing that you are able to keep up with it all. I really like your idea with the hearts for Jesus, you are the clever one aren't you!!!
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