Christmas in July: Day 6

A few years ago we visited Solvang, CA. If you've never been there, it's a quaint little town tucked up in the mountains north of LA. There are lots of Danish style shops, hotels, and restaurants. 

I bought several Christmas items there, including two German Advent Calendars. They are so beautiful (this picture does not do justice to the beauty). I've been saving them to use with the Grands. This year the older ones have enough finger dexterity to open the windows and tear them off with ripping them. I'm letting them take turns to reveal the picture underneath as part of our Christmas in July at Grammy's Summer Camp. 

I'll probably save the other one for next July. I'm wishing I had bought more!

CIJ: The ABCs of Christmas ~ Advent

It's here, Christmas in July!

In my search to keep my CIJ posts original and (hopefully) not boring, I decided to use the theme of The ABCs of Christmas this year. Each post will represent an element of Christmas in alphabetical order.

I'll admit, coming up with a word for each letter of the alphabet has been challenging. I STILL don't have a word for "Y" or "Z"! 

The word for today is Advent. As a child we did not participate in the traditions of Advent wreaths or calendars. As an adult with kids we occasionally had an Advent calendar, but it was hit and miss.

Two years ago when we were in Solvang, CA I bought two beautiful Advent calendars which I haven't even opened. I will this year, I promise!

I like the thought of embracing this tradition, but just haven't done it.

Since I don't have any personal example of Advent to share with you, I'm relying once again on Pinterest. Here are some great suggestions for observing the tradition of Advent.

German Advent Calendar

I bet if I had one of these I'd use it!

I really like this one, too.

This is absolutely my style of Advent Wreath

Beautiful!

Here's an explanation of the tradition of the Advent Wreath. Do you regularly use a wreath or calendar? I'd like to hear how your family observes this tradition.

Christmas in July: Day Sixteen - Advent

I've stated before that we did not grow up with the tradition of an Advent calendar or wreath. I was an adult before I even knew what either of those were. When our kids were little I'd buy an Advent calendar some years, but not regularly. We've never done an Advent wreath, although one of these year I'd like to.

A few years ago I wanted to come up with an Advent calendar for the grandkids. I didn't want to use candies or small gifts - they get plenty of those during the Christmas season as it is.

I had a frame that partially broke and I decided to use it as the base for my Advent calendar.

I cut out varying shapes in scrapbook paper to use as tags and came up with 12 activities to do during the season. I printed two labels for each activity and placed them on the back of the tags. I stapled twine to the calendar and bought clothespins with the numbers 1-24 at Hobby Lobby.

I hang the tags using the clothespins on the twine in the frame. When the kids are here we turn the tag for that day over and do the activity listed on the back.

This will be the third year for this Advent calendar and they seem to really enjoy it. I do too!

The first year I used these burlap clothespins

Last year I found these wooden tree clothespins

Here's a closeup view

The (almost) Twelve Days of Christmas: C H R I S T M Advent

I did not grow up with the concept of observing the Advent. It wasn't until I moved to Arizona that I became familiar with the Advent Season. When our kids were little we had Advent Calendars. We tried the Advent candle a couple of times, but it never became a tradition.

Today I'm going to feature a variety of advent options. As always, unless otherwise noted, Pinterest is the source for these ideas.

I've never seen an advent like this before

I really like this idea - would be good for the grandkids

Wish I had this when my kids were little - great concept!

Cute idea!

Unique Advent Wreath

Beautiful!

Very sweet idea

Christmas in July: Advent

I didn't observe Advent as a child. I dimly remembering hearing of it from Catholic friends, but I was never sure what it was. In the Midwest Protestant churches I grew up in, it was never mentioned. When I moved to Arizona I learned what it was. The non-denominational church we attended when the kids were young did observe it in the Sunday School classes. I wanted to start the tradition of Advent in our home, but I just never did.

Since I don't have any first-hand experience with Advent, I started searching on the Internet and came across some neat sites for you to check out.

The first site is Focus on the Family. They have a simple, complete guide to celebrating Advent in your home with your kids: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent.aspx

Another site I came across gave a detailed explanation of the Advent Wreath and Candles. You can find it here.

Do you observe Advent in your hoe? What are the traditions you've established for this celebration?