It’s Christmas time.  Like officially and for real.  I’m finally in full swing now that Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone, that is.  Lovelies, I have so many ideas swirling around in my head.  So much so that these thoughts of mine are starting to give me a brain ache.  The real problem is, I don’t have the time nor sadly the energy to excute them all.  There are so many ideas to share and conversations to be had on this subject of Christmas [think : decor, presents, food, traditions and so on].  So in advance, I warn you that my post schedule may be on the random side this merry month.  Maybe more often and maybe just not.  All of my Christmas post titles will start with fa la la because, honestly, I can’t help a good play on words, even if it is cheezy.

Ok, so lets start with first things first.  Advent calendars.  Do you do an Advent calendar with your kids?  Did your family have them when you were a kid?  As a child they were always somewhat random for me.  Just the occasional paper one that was given to us or bought on a whim.  But truely, I tell you, it didn’t really matter how un-special they were I always loved them.  There is just something about opening the little paper doors and seeing the picture inside.  Or, if you’re so lucky, eating the piece of chocolate that awaits.  But really, I think, the true excitement is all to do with the countdown.  Kids love a countdown and especially to Christmas.

In our house we have a wooden Christmas tree Advent calendar with little ornaments hiding in their petite doors awaiting their big day in which they will be hung proudly on the outside of the miniature door.  It’s nothing fancy.  And honestly, I look at it each year thinking how I’d like to get rid of it all together and get a more stylish one.  But each year, I think of how my kids have opened these doll sized doors each and every December day with such great anticipation and I somehow can’t part with it.  It’s one of those pieces that I know they will equate with their “childhood” Christmas.  Kind of like the very cute + ugly Santa made of dough that to this day makes its debut every Christmas season.

You can, of course, get your DIY on and make some pretty crafty and creative Advent calendars, ones that are pretty and ones that have deep meaning.  Here are a few of my favorites from around the interwebs.  Instead of switching mine out [as again, this year, I planned to do], I plan to add a very different kind to our holiday mix.

images |two ellie | garnett hill | room envy | the happy home blog | delightful | Bower Power

By Trina