A Bookish Advent Calendar

It's almost the first of December! Time to dust off your advent calendars, if you're like me that is. 

I never really liked chocolate advent calendars as a kid. The chocolate never tasted that nice, in the Australian summer it always got a bit melty, and we usually shared 1 calendar between 3 (me and my 2 sisters.)

I always loved opening little windows on my paper calendar and finding a new christmas picture underneath. I'm pretty sure I can remember making my own out of an old cereal box once upon a time too.

Part of my Advent Calendar Collection!

I still have my calendars from when I was younger, and have started collecting paper calendars over the years. My kids don't know about the chocolate ones yet, and have their own paper ones too.

Last year I was excited by the concept of the book advent calendar. I had dismissed it though, as I thought; 'how on earth can I buy 24 new books, all christmas themed each year?' It turns out this isn't what most people do anyway!

Our first book advent calendar

I came up with another slightly different spin as well. I've ended up wrapping some Christmas themed books, two new books, and some old favourites that have been missing from story time. I also made up the following letter to be given to the kids on the 1st of December to make it that little bit more magical;



Dear Children;

Santa told us we needed to practice our gift wrapping before Christmas. He sent us to your house and we wrapped up 24 of your books! One for you to open each day until Christmas.

You might even find we’ve wrapped up a surprise or two for you.

We hope that you have been good enough to get on Santa’s nice list this year. If you have, that means we will get to wrap gifts for you, and Santa will deliver them on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

Love The Elves xxx

I made the numbered tags using number stamps and Christmas tree shaped tags from The Make Good Co. Alternatively, you can download these fantastic tags from the Simple As That Blog;

Tags from Simple As That

There are many other ideas for book advent calendars. Below are a two that I might try in the years to come;

No wrap - read Christmas books all the time

The 'no wrap' book advent calendar. Placing 24 Christmas books in a basket and having the title of the book written down in a numbered box or pouch. From Reading Confetti.

Clever wrapping and stacking from Here come the Girls

At Here Come the Girls Blog, they do Christmas books and films for their countdown.

What is your favourite way to countdown to Christmas?

Handmade Challenge - September Update

I don't want to panic anyone, but... 

PANIC STATIONS!! I have only inched marginally closer towards achieving anything off my handmade challenge list, and my 'to make list' is growing.

For my handmade challenge I still have to make an apron, a card table tent, a bolero, a dollhouse and a Christmas tree skirt.

I have started the bolero, I have cut out the pattern for the apron, and have collected together all the items I need for the doll house. I have nothing for the tree skirt or the tent.

Things added to my 'To Make List' include; Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, invitations, birthday baking, not to mention the orders that keep popping up from my online store.

Nobody panic! Except me, I'm panicking.

How are you going with your list?

Handmade Biggest Kids Christmas

Here are the last of my handmade Christmas gift suggestions for this year.

FOR HER

1. Knitted Necklace - These are my take on a Mollie Makes tutorial. Quick, easy and a little bit different
2. Personalised Bracelet - From Debby at 2Roads Designs. These are lovely and you can have your own message stamped onto the bracelet, so thoughtful
3. Crochet Rug - Add a bit of cute and cosy to her life with a hand crochet rug from Castle Handmade**
4. Cookies - Yum, I love to give and receive baked goods! Bake some or buy some (preferably that someone has handmade not from the supermarket). I made some of these up for gifts a few Christmases ago. The little owl I made from a kids' sock, following this free tutorial

FOR HIM

1. Tie Bar Clip Set - Debby at 2Roads Designs will customise these for your man, very suave
2. Ugly Jumper Card - Write him a lovely festive message in one of these awesome Christmas Cards from Mum and me Handmade Designs
3. Knit Something! - There are so many good things out there to knit for the man in your life. If, like me, you have a bit of a nerd, head to ravelry and look up Doctor Who, very cool gift ideas for Whovians
4. Personalised Luggage Tags - Again from Debby at 2Roads, personal and practical, that says man gift to me

**please note, I have not actually purchased anything from Castle Handmade at this stage, I just think her stuff is so darn cute!

Handmade Big Kids Christmas

Here we are, my handmade suggestions for the bigger kids, the biggest kids to follow tomorrow.

BIG BOY GIFT IDEAS

1. Ninja Doll - Little Sew & Sews have this cute pattern to make your own ninja For the little man in your life of course!
2. Pirate Hat - Ahoy! I am currently in the midst of knitting up a couple of these scurvy hats for my land lubbers. Free knitting pattern
3. Pirate Sword & Map - I bought this from Kerry at What-nots for Tiny Tots last year for my eldest. Seriously awesome handmade toy
4. Pool Noodle Sock Horse - Need I say more? Seriously, make one, free tutorial

BIG GIRL GIFT IDEAS

1. Felt Food - These yummy pancakes are another amazing creation by Kerry at What-nots for Tiny Tots. If you are feeling you have more time up your sleeve, there are heaps of tutorials online for felt food
2. Floss Dress - This stunning dress is by Tam at Dandelion and Boo. I bought one of her beautiful dresses and bonnets earlier in the year for our princess, really well made and one of a kind
3. Super Doll - Another super pattern and tutorial from Little Sew & Sews
4. Ladybug Sun Hat - Yes Pleats and Treats, if you have little ones, they need one of these adorable hats!

Handmade Little Kids Christmas

I have been excited about writing these posts for a while. It's just been a matter of finding the time to put it all together.

Below I have made lists for handmade items you can make yourself, or purchase from a talented crafts person, for the little people on your Christmas list. I have personally selected these items as I have either purchased something from the maker myself, or made it myself so I know that it works.

I hope to get to everyone on the Christmas list, however it seems Christmas crafting and looking after my brood takes up quite a bit of time!

Baby Gift Ideas

 

1. Baby Block - Make your own baby block with this tutorial
2. Santa Sack - You can buy one of these gorgeous ones that my own mum has made, or make one of your own by searching tutorials online
3. Taggie Toy - Ever notice how kids just play with the tags on toys? Pleats and Treats make the cutest taggies 
4. Mobile - It doesn't take long to put together a few bits and pieces to make a really effective mobile. I made this one for my little girl

Toddler Gift Ideas

1. Sun Hat - My son loves his handmade Pleats and Treats sun hat
2. Plush Tool Set - I made these for my boys last year (not pictured) using a pattern and tutorial I bought from Little Sew & Sews. The boys still love them and Bel has other super cute patterns to choose from too
3. Crocodile Scarf - Download the pattern instantly from Morehouse Farm and get knitting!
4. Fox Neck Warmer - This free pattern knits up really quickly

Next time, things for the big kids!

A Very Handmade Christmas

Yes it's only just October, however if you wanted a handmade Christmas, you should have well and truly started by now!

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My Pinterest Boards are filled to the brim with exciting handmade ideas. Sadly that is not going to happen this year with my three little munchkins and the littlest with her heart condition.

One thing I will manage to do, is print off a few of these awesome gift tags by Helen Dardik. She releases a new set at the beginning of December every year. Adorable and unique and free! (apart from the paper and ink from your printer)

If, like me, you have absolutely no time, then there is always the option to buy handmade, which I of course advocate. madeit, the Australian equivalent of etsy, have started their Christmas campaign, you can sign up to receive a newsletter filled with lots of gifty ideas.

Next year, I hope to set myself a handmade challenge that others can take up too if they wish. I haven't thought out all the rules just yet, however it's all about handmade that's for sure!

As long as our little lady gets through her last surgery without any setbacks in December, I shall launch the handmade gift challenge in January 2015.

Until then, you'd better get your skates on if you're thinking about a handmade Christmas!