HOW I MADE A CUTE ADVENT CALENDAR
Dear friends,
Day before yesterday I found myself in San Bernardino, only about a mile away from the very place that so many people tragically lost their lives. San Bernardino is the city at the base of the mountain where I live, and is where residents of our community go to shop. After a morning doctor’s appointment in Redlands, I decided to go to the nearest Costco just as dozens of sheriff’s vehicles were swarming the area, lights flashing, sirens whaling. As I pulled into the Costco parking lot I got a text message from my daughter-in-law asking if I was watching the news. I said no, I was shopping in San Bernardino. Her reaction: “OMG, get out of there quick. There are shooters on the loose just blocks away.”
It was then that I realized people were scurrying out of Costco, the parking lot was emptying out, and people were leaving very quickly. Then I heard multiple helicopters circling overhead and realized I was smack in the middle of the fray. The good news is I immediately left and made it home safe and sound, unlike the 14 victims who so sadly and senselessly will never go home again. One of the victims was a member of our Lake Arrowhead Community. He was a young father with 6 children. I can’t begin to imagine the pain that family is now experiencing at the very time of year they should be full of joy.
Click on the family photo for a link to how you can help this family.
My heart aches over the terrible events of Wednesday, as well as for the senseless acts of terror that recently took place while we were visiting France.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, just days after terrorist attacks
The coincidence of this is not lost on me, and makes me appreciate life even more. I realized that every day is precious and I wanted to honor that as we enter this season of celebration. Toward that end I made an Advent Calendar for my Grandchildren today. I am giving it to them late because Advent actually started on November 29, and technically it ends on December 24th. I started mine on December 1st and have it ending on Christmas Day. In any case I wanted to be a part of the excitement and anticipation of the season as seen through a child’s eyes. My Grandchildren are too young to understand the religious aspects of the Advent, but I’m sure they will have no trouble counting the days to Christmas with a little treat from Grandma each day.
So, on a brighter note, let me show you how I made a cute Advent Calendar for them, which like my Grandchildren (in the photo above), got placed in a shipping box and sent off to them today.
The idea for the Advent Calendar actually got started while I was on our recent trip to Europe. The final stop on our trip was London. And as far as I’m concerned, no trip to London is complete without a shopping expedition to Harrods.
It was fun to be there before Christmas when the store was decorated for the holidays and stocked with holiday merchandise. I found these cute clips and decided to buy them with an Advent Calendar in mind.
I purchased brown craft paper treat bags and using a red Sharpie, wrote the days of the month on each bag. The red and white twine came from IKEA.
I then went to World Market and picked up 50 small trinkets including candy, cookies and small toys.
One item for each child for 25 days.
And even though I’m sure my Grandchildren have been perfect angels all year, I included a box of coal just for fun.
Using the clips and the red and white twine, I connected all 25 goodie bags together.
I am hoping that my son & daughter-in-law will find just the right place to hang it in their home. Then each day the kiddos can enjoy a special treat from me.
And despite the recent tragedies in the world, I wish you all peace and happiness during this holiday season.
So there you have it: HOW I MADE A CUTE ADVENT CALENDAR
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