i feel so relieved to have finished my advent calendar before the 1st! here it is, lacking it’s #22 because i lost a ribbon and now need to buy more. you get the idea though! 
my first inspiration to do this one was found here, but there are lots of cute advent garlands out there. my mom always got us the kind that have doors you open with a chocolate inside, and i loved them! my reasoning behind doing this particular type is that one chocolate is not enough around here, so the stocking is big enough to hold lots of goodies for everyone.
we also read some scripture (we are doing the christmas story this year) and have a fun thing to do or small gift involved each day. i still don’t have it all totally worked out, but i like taking it day by day so i can figure out what kind of activity i’m up for that day. some of my activities are making a gingerbread house (from a kit), buying and decking the tree, painting ornaments (bought from joann’s), and making our cousins some presents like candy necklaces and chocolate dipped pretzels. there are easier things like popcorn and movie night, or going to the indoor-playground, or a small gift like a car or dinosaur figurine (yes, i have boys). what does your family do to celebrate? if you have any advent celebration ideas you’d like to share, please leave a comment! i’d love to hear them! it’s always great to gather ideas for years to come. let’s start celebrating the birth of our Lord! woo-hoo!
