advent calenders

[MummyTummy]

It's funny I just stumbled across this thread this afternoon. When I was little my grandparents in England used to send us an advent calendar that was more about the Christmas story than about Santa. Now I can't see those ones in the shops anymore. I remember when I was older and the grandparents stopped sending the advent calendars (probably because they weren't selling those ones anymore) I begged for the chocolate ones. What a disppointment. Often I didn't feel like the chocolate..... and I certainly didn't like the taste of the chocolate (have never been a fan of cheap chocolate!!) and often we would get a few hot days and then all the chocs would be melted or soft or just taste worse after they reformed!! So I decided that one day when I have kids I was going to make an advent calendar that could be reused each year and then I could put whatever in to it myself.

I did't do anything last year because Jett was just too little and even though he is still too little to understand this year, I thought I would make it ready for next year if I don't get it finished this year. So I've decided to do mini stockings as I saw them in the Spotlight catalogue at the back of this months Better Homes and Gardens. I like the idea that I can rearrange them each year so it will be a hunt to find the right numbered stocking rather than just going in order or being in the same place every year.

So this afternoon I went and bought the materials (I'm not making them exactly the same as the one from BH&G - theirs were felt) but I am going to make mine from all different Christmas fabric and embellish them in whatever way takes my fancy!!

But I absolutely love what you are doing Justme. That is exactly the sort of inspiration I needed. I knew that I didn't want a toy for every day but I didn't know quite what I would be putting in all the others. So well done on being such a clever and thoughtful and inspirational Mummy!

[Just Me]

Thanks for your lovely posts everyone.

Mummy Tummy - I saw those advent stockings too and did think about them for next year - if I get motivated enough. Did you notice though that they are missing some numbers. They look really good though. DH used to have an advent calendar that was 24 little drawstring bags all on a string. They were all made from different Christmas fabric too. Happy sewing and decorating!