Thursday, December 1, 2011

handmade knit stocking ADVENT CALENDAR


 If you're a long-time reader, you all know these next 25 days are my very favorite!  Christmastime immediately pulls out nostalgic feelings within, instantly making me feel the same sensations I felt growing up: anticipation, excitement, and surprisingly peace. I feel like all my emotions inside are given a big ole bear hug! 

Ohhh and!! I had the best surprise when I woke up today!  Chris made me my very own Christmas countdown.  He did this for the first time last year and I had no idea he was doing it again this year! :) 
Happy Girl.
 He did such an awesome job putting it together! I {heart} that guy.  I can't wait to read all my notes.


My advent calendar surprise from my husband <3


 I know this post is all too sappy too sweet (and all that nauseating stuff) but the calendar just opened to December 1st and that makes me overdose on this holiday fluff. 


The photo on this month's calendar of tons of yarn is fully appropriate because I am a brand new knitter and loving every almost every moment of it!  I never would have guessed that I would like knitting, but my Mom was right...I do.  Goodness, that's hard to admit when "mom is right".  I have been taking lessons at our local yarn shop, Tangle.  The store is charming and a cozy place to hang out and play with yarn during these chilly months. 


I just finished this soft stocking!  I stayed up until almost 4am the other night because I was so excited to finish.




I wanted to find a prominent way to use my new handmade (!!!) stocking this season so I decided to stuff it with our Christmas countdown adventure calendar.  Last year I shared my obsession with countdowns and how counting down greatly heightens anticipation for everyone!  There are so many different types of advent calendars BUT the style I like to do for the boys is an "ADVENTure countdown".  We have 25 days in December to celebrate with the little people.  The boys get to open a mini envelope each day to read what surprise awaits them that day.  Some days are low key and simple like reading holiday books by the fire with a glass of chocolate milk.  Other days are little gifts to decorate their rooms with for the holidays.  

list of ideas for 
ADVENTure countdown:
*I shop the year before each year right after Christmas to get these items for less money.

- small holiday stuffed animals for their beds. (so, the note that day would read, "run and look for a surprise on your bed!")

- ornaments for their own tiny trees (the note that day would read, "I wonder if you can find something new n shiny on your tree today?")

- Christmas books (the note that day would read, "let's cuddle up...tiptoe to the fire and see what you find")

- Christmas baking day (the note would read, "time to get flour on our hands, meet me in the kitchen for something sweet")

- Holiday craft day (the note would read, "grab some glue and see what's new on the kitchen counter!")

- Helping others day (the note would read, "put on your angel wings, time to help those in need")

The ideas are endless!  A few other ideas are: coloring books with stamps and stickers, touring holiday lights, going to the Christmas parade, singing carols,  and making a gingerbread house.


Shhh...here are some of their surprises 
(all bought on sale LAST year after Christmas)



I stuffed those tiny envelopes with magic for December...


There is something exciting about opening a sealed envelope to reveal a surprise.


 

Each envelope is secured to twine with a mini clothespin.  The boys will continue to pull out the string as the countdown progresses. 


It's a very simple, yet exciting advent calendar:
stocking stuffed with ADVENTure!

 

Happy December 1st!

"You better watch out, 
you better not pout,
Santa Claus is coming to town,
So be good for goodness' sake."



I have other Advent and Christmas countdown ideas on a variety of unique topics: sexy, romantic, traditional, and adventurous.   

Click photo to be taken to ideas








This post is linked to: Inspired Room DIY Fall Festival, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design

11 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

I LOVE your stocking! You did a wonderful job and the colors are SO pretty! Keep it up!

Your Advent calender ideas are awesome!! I love how involved you are with your children and how your creative ideas include and involve them in so many fun ways! You really are a special person, Lisa!

Happy Holidays!

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

I love your stocking..I think you did a fabulous job on your first knitting project..The ideas here are awesome..Have a Blessed week..

Unknown said...

A stocking to hold the advent calendar activities, brilliant! Oh thank goodness for the blogging world where you can get such great ideas. I keep looking for the perfect basket and never find it. All along I could have been using a stocking. Yours is beautiful, by the way.

Tammy @ tinselshop.com said...

Hi Lisa,
Your stocking is SO SWEET! I would love to knit...someday. Tucking the envelopes into the stocking is a great idea! I have been absent from blogland for a while, I must get caught up with your posts!

Best wishes,
Tammy

Natasha in Oz said...

You guys are so cute! I love that you have started knitting too-isn't it therapeutic!!

I just wanted to invite you a Christmas link up I'm having at my Christmas blog. The first day of my 12 Days of Christmas series was all about Advent and I would be honoured if you could link up this post!

Enjoy these next few weeks-I so agree with you that this month is magical!

Best Christmas wishes,
Natasha.

The British Homemaker said...

wow! so many great things to peruse and admire...now what do i want to have a go at first?!! lol

{stopped by from tt&J}

April said...

I LOVE your stocking! It is so pretty and you did a beautiful job. If you are able, could you share the pattern and what yarn you used? I love the way you did your ADVENTure Calendar. I am looking for a new idea, maybe I will copy you - starting next year. :-)

Snap said...

Knitting is addicting! Love your stocking and the advent ideas! Wonderful! Happy Seasonal Sunday!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

I can't believe you knitted that yourself! Great job! I'm extremely envious - as I would love to learn to knit!

Anticipation is the funnest part of anything in life. I always look for new ways to heighten the anticipation of events to stretch out the fun just a little bit longer :)

Great ideas here!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com

Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet Home said...

I love this. So cute. I really need to knit more. After it took me almost 9 months to finish a baby blanket I sort of gave up. Thank you for all of the advent calendar ideas.

Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
P.S. I have a giveaway going on. Come over and check it out.
P.S.S. I have a linky every Monday would love you to stop by Monday and link up.

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