Whilst Christmas is still some way off (thankfully), Advent is fast approaching. This week I’ve spent the evenings cosily wrapping a myriad of tiny boxes with surprises, notes and treats for Harry to uncover through each day of December. I’ll string them from an armful of silver-sprayed branches and position them in the hall where they can offer a tantalising reminder of the excitements to come.
For my advent boxes I’ve used a random collection of matchboxes, raisin packets (both full and empty), old jewellery boxes and others, and used offcuts of white, red and brown paper to wrap them all with scraps of ribbon and silver thread – each one is different, but the repeating colour palette gives them a harmonious appearance when hung from the branches. I’ve used pretty buttons and embellishments extravagantly because I know I can just gather them up once discarded in the thrill of opening, and reuse again next year.
A number of the advent boxes contain chocolates, raisins or other sweet treats, but there are some surprises too; I found this tiny nativity set here, and have packaged each member up individually and spread them across the month, so that Harry can collect them all and we can tell him the Christmas story as we go… there are also a couple of decorations to hang on the tree as Christmas approaches.
With Harry’s birthday falling in early December, we’re anticipating something of a swelling of the toy cupboard next month, so one advent box provides a bag for him to carefully choose some toys he’s grown out of and no longer plays with that we can take to the local charity shop to be loved again by someone else – and to create some crucial space for new arrivals. At risk of sounding pious, I want Harry to understand how lucky we are, and from the outset to see Christmas as a time of giving as well as receiving.
Harry’s advent calendar also marks a few of the events that we know will happen over the month; the nursery school nativity play falls in the middle of December, and Harry has been cast as Joseph (how my heart secretly swells with maternal pride! Harry himself is a bit cross because he wanted to be a reindeer). It’s the first time he’ll have performed in any kind of play or production, so feeling the safety of this ‘magic button’ in his pocket may help keep wobbles at bay when he sees us in the audience.
The most important box of all will be opened on Christmas Eve, and is immediately identifiable by its sparkly gold exterior. Inside, Harry will find a tiny letter from the elves, sealed with a button, explaining all the things we need to do to prepare for Father Christmas’s arrival (carrots for Rudolph, stockings over the fireplace and a myriad of other anticipation-building activities..). There are also a couple of little treats for the elves themselves; a tiny half walnut-shell bed, with a down feather to ensure the softest nap ever – because they must be exhausted at this point in the year, and everyone benefits from a power nap – plus a few ‘elf donuts’; Cheerios sprinkled with powdered sugar (in case Harry is tempted to sample one himself).
If you fancy making one of these for the little (or not so little) people in your life, here’s a wee list of some of the other things in our boxes (just don’t tell Harry…)
- Chocolate ‘gold’ coins and racing cars
- Lego mini men
- Raisins
- A handful of ‘snowballs’ (white pompoms) to thread together
- A few real coins for Harry’s moneybox
- Paper chains to make to decorate the playroom
What Christmas traditions do you have for your children? It’s the first year that Harry is really, properly aware of Christmas and excited by it, so it feels like the first time we can start to create some family traditions and memories for him; all further inspiration welcomed please!
Have a wonderful weekend…
Beautifully packaged! Wish I were the recipient of these
.
Reblogged this on calmyourbeans.
You really are superstar. Can you do this on film too? I want to see kate’s christmas inbetween all the move to the country TV programmes! Trouble is I can’t help you find such a gig. But I will watch when it happens. Nicola
Nicola, what a lovely comment (and compliment), thank you so much! Alas I suspect I’m probably at my most photogenic when safely hidden behind a keyboard – the ever poised and polished Kirsty Allsopp is unlikely to be threatened anytime soon
Amazing. I love your idea and the special treats inside.
Everything here is so charming — that tiny walnut shell bed most of all! I’m sure your boy will love it.
Everything here is so charming — that little walnut bed most of all! I’m sure your son will love every minute of it.
Thanks Margaret; we cracked the walnuts together to use them for making banana-walnut muffins, and Harry has convinced himself that they are actually coconuts; he announced to my husband that ‘mummy and I cracked 10 coconuts today’ which startled him somewhat!
How creative! I love the idea of mixing up the treats, not just candy and also including some activities for him to participate in. Harry is a very lucky boy, Liz
I love the wrapping. Every year I have a theme with holiday decor and I like it to all coordinate. I also never buy bow because I love wrapping gifts and making bows for the packages. I also think this is a nice idea as opposed to the cheap chocolat candies that are in the little advent calenders you buy at the store. I may do this this weekend. thanks for the inspiration.
Oh this is just too cute. I love it! I made a bucket advent calender a couple years ago… but I think my littles would really love this!
Thanks Caroline! I’ve seen bucket advent calendars and they look adorable – and having spent all week wrapping incredibly small matchboxes I think I’ll be trying that next year for a change
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Omg, I need to pin everything! I saw that first photo and was like Kate needs to come help me make ornaments. That is so my taste. If you see my Christmas pinterest board you’ll laugh with amusement. What a wonderful idea and what a lucky little boy he is!
Thanks Alex! I’ve just found you on Pinterest (link below – do have a look…) and I love your pins… it’s such a good job we don’t live close enough to go shopping together, though we might have a stab at saving the global economy if we did.. http://pinterest.com/northstory/christmas/
Such a beautiful advent calendar! We always had homemade ones when I was little and I made one for my daughter a few of years ago, based on one I had when I was little (a board with rings sewn on to a felt Christmas tree to hang little parcels from). I am doing one again this year for each of the kids. Have a rough idea of what to put in my 5-year-olds one but been struggling with my two-year-old as I only will have sweets on Saturdays and the boxes i use are small. You have given me some great ideas tho! Sounds like Harry will have a magical Christmas! !
I too have been trying to figure out exactly the best way and treats to put together the whole advent thing for a two year old. Nice job… Totally stealing your idea… Thanks
I have an urge to make elf doughnuts right this second. How charming your advent plans are – not to mention timely!
What a great idea!! They look too pretty to open!
You are truly amazing! What an amazing way to do an advent calendar, it’s beautiful
Kate, I’m a recent follower of your blog (found you via Design Mom) and I am just in awe. This is FABULOUS! I have to tell you, I’ve been reluctant to do a whole Advent present endeavor (we usually just do the chocolate calendars) because I wasn’t sure how to fill all the teeny boxes and I didn’t want to go overboard on toys. I LOVE HOW YOU’VE DONE YOURS, the magic buttons, the pom-poms, the coins — these are all such great ideas!!! I’m going to try and get it together to put together something like this, if not, for sure next yr!
Beautiful!!!!!!!
Hi Melissa, how lovely to have you on board (as it were) and thank you so much for such a cheering and wonderful comment
And I agree; avoiding endless chocolate through advent can be tough – and expensive! I’m really pleased with the end result, but as also more than a little relieved to reach no.24 and to not have to come up with any more ideas!
Fabulous. Just so creative and lovely. We are coming to move into your house. That’s ok, right?In the meantime, thank you for the inspiration. Your post made me tear up! Harry is one lucky boy.
Move in? Are you kidding? Hell yes! We need a dash of your global glamour and travellers tales as you city-hop your way across my entire ‘must-visit’ list
Oh wow! Amazing! Well done!
xxx
I nearly cried when I saw this Kate (impressed happy tears that is —– not obsessive, nut case tears). Your love, enthusiasm, and creativity stretches far beyond the photos of the most beautifully home made x-mas calendar – ever! We can´t wait to follow you through the course of December (and onwards obviously). Now bring on more jolly holly Christmas crafts! /Louisa&Camilla
Gorgeous!
Such a sweet idea! Things like this are what make childhood so special- your son is so blessed to have a mommy like you
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Kate, this is inspired! Seriously, its utterly fabulous. It looks gorgeous, it’s fun to make and most importantly will be fun for Harry to unwrap. I really like what you said about making Christmas a time of giving as well as receiving, It’s not pious at all, it’s rather lovely.
I am totally stealing your Christmas Eve letter from the elves idea. We always do the mince pie, sherry and carrot thing but a little letter in a box will make their day. Gillian x
oh my gosh, that is so cute! it’s a perfect idea. thank you so much for sharing! I was actually looking for something like that! needed some ideas…
LOVE this! Great work!! I made individual brown paper bags and gift wrap pouches and hung them on twine with clothes pins. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you so much from Russia! My son will be only 1/5 year old this Christmas, exactly on the 25. of December)) but you inspire me so much anyway! You give me festive mood and holiday spirit. Thank you once again!
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You have completely inspired me, I have just completed my own advent calendar very much along these lines after reading your blog. Love your ideas for what to put in the boxes as I didn’t just want to stuff them all full of chocolates. Particularly love the idea for the wee bag to encourage your children to give away some of the toys they aren’t playing with anymore.
Thank you!
Katherine