The Loveliness of Advent is the topic of this week's Loveliness Fair. Thank you to Jenn for hosting it. I wrote a post last week listing some of my plans for Advent. I titled it Holiday Planning. Let me show you what I've done so far. I've set the Advent wreath out on the dining room table.
I've wrapped our Advent and Christmas books in shiny purple paper.
This will serve two purposes. First, it will be a countdown to Christmas. The 'Leader of the Day' in our house will unwrap one book each day. Christmas will draw nearer as the wrapped book pile goes down. Secondly, it will allow me to relax a bit this year. For the past two years I have planned out which books we'll read on which day and what crafts, baking, etc. we'll do to go along with the stories. This year I've just planned to read a story each day. Much simpler.
I was having trouble finding a manger and a Baby Jesus for the idea I got from Rebecca's post called The Christ Child and the Manger, so I'm using what we have. My children are placing our hay (pieces cut from raffia) around my Willow Tree Nativity set each time they say extra prayers, make sacrifices, or do extra chores or good deeds.
I'm hoping this table will be covered with raffia by Christmas Day.
I've been listening to a CD I bought eight or nine years ago called Every Knee Shall Bend. I LOVE this CD. If you are looking for some new Advent and Christmas music, I highly recommend this one. I listen to it every year, over and over.
Finally, I want to show you a decoration I made for my dining room. I got the idea from my sister's Gooseberry Patch book, but I made it purple to go with the rest of my December dining room decor.
It is my hope that as I go about my day during this busy season, these letters will be a reminder to me to slow down and remember what's most important.
The book idea is so clever! And I love the "Prepare" - so pretty.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 29, 2006 at 04:38 AM
I love it all, Cheryl!
How creative.
The books and all!
And I love, love, love Willow Tree figurines. I'm looking for one that has a father and daughter together for dh to give to oldest dd this year. I keep checking Cracker Barrell and Hallmark but they don't have any in stock yet.
Posted by: Cay in La. | November 29, 2006 at 06:00 AM
'Prepare' is so simple, yet so lovely! And what a blessing to have enough books in your collection to wrap one for each day - that will be looked forward to I'm sure!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 29, 2006 at 06:05 AM
I really love the idea of wrapping the Advent books for the kids to unrap each day. I love it!!! I'm going out today and getting purple wrapping paper. Thanks for the idea.
God bless. Ruth
Posted by: Ruth Tucker | November 29, 2006 at 07:21 AM
This is beautiful, Cheryl. Thanks for the music recommendation.
Posted by: Suzanne | November 29, 2006 at 07:52 AM
Lovely, just lovely. Great idea about the wrapping.
Posted by: KC | November 29, 2006 at 02:12 PM
Your ideas are great and I love the wrapped books. That's a great idea.
Posted by: Katherine in TX | November 29, 2006 at 02:41 PM
I don't have enough to wrap for the entire advent. I'm sure the library wouldn't mind if I wrapped some of theirs! Lovely idea
Posted by: Nina | November 29, 2006 at 04:00 PM
Everything looks so lovely! What are the letters made of?
Posted by: Kimberlee | November 29, 2006 at 08:06 PM
I think the letters are made of pine. They were $1.79 ea at Walmart. I used double sided tape to stick scrapbook paper to them. I also bought some to spell out my 2 dds' names. My dh and I are going to paint them and give them as Christmas gifts, then we'll hang them from ribbons above their beds.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 29, 2006 at 08:27 PM
Cheryl,
What great ideas! The books in purple paper is such a good idea.. P-R-E-P-A-R-E letters are perfect, too! I listened to the clip of Advent music you linked to. Wonderful! I can understand why it is so special to you. It is so lovely.
I would like to add that I am so glad you started a blog this year. I do so enjoy visiting! God Bless you and your beautiful family.
Posted by: kristina | November 29, 2006 at 10:22 PM
I love the idea of wrapping our books (also have some new ones the children haven;t seen) and I also like the prepare letters.
Posted by: Erin | November 30, 2006 at 03:16 AM
So beautiful, love all your special touches, especially the wrapped books, I'm inspired!! I wish you and your sweet family a blessed Advent!
Posted by: Meredith | December 03, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Oh, wow! LOVE this idea! Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa | December 02, 2008 at 07:40 AM