Pages

Advent Calendar and accepting imperfection

Saturday, December 15, 2012

There are only 10 days left till Christmas, as I have realized with horror, and not much has happened in way of preparation. Not nearly enough. I am hauling out decorations and feverishly writing lists of things still to do before the holidays. I will never get everything done in time!

I did manage to stick to one tradition I started 2 years ago (see here and here), I made and Advent calendar for Aidan. And that, at the last minute, by that I mean the night before the first of December.

I have been meaning to photograph it , however the weather has been so overcast on weekends, that I barely get any light. This is the best I could do:






My favorite crafty blogs are full on ingenious ideas, and so is Pinterest, but due to the time constraint, I chose to go with a simple idea. Each envelope contains an activity for us to do each day. We have crafts, coloring, baking, singing. There are outdoor activities too, such as a visit to the Christmas market (another yearly tradition) and a trip downtown to admire the decorations.

Aidan has really thrown himself into the Christmas spirit this year, making sure the activities are followed and done the way he believes Santa would like them done.

Seeing him so happy and filled with anticipation, I stress a little less, as I realize that it does not all have to be perfect. He does not care if the decorations match, or the wrapping is "professional", or there are three types of cookies instead of ten, or the house is immaculate. He is perfectly content making his Christmas crafts, while humming carols, and correcting me, when I incorrectly sing along in french!

So tonight, even though my list is still long, I will pour a glass of wine for my husband and I, and we will curl up on the couch to watch a Christmas movie, and glance occasionally at the slightly lop-sided Christmas tree in our living room.

The list will still be there tomorrow morning!

4 comments :

  1. i love your advent calendar! it's perfect!!! and you know, this is what christmas is about. the memories.. and the cuddles, and the time spent with loved ones... merry christmas!! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Leave it to a 5 year old to put things into perspective! Merry Christmas to you too Rebecca.

      Delete
  2. Hello dear Monica!

    It's been a while since I don't come here, but it's always a pleasure to visit you though your blog. As you say, things don't need to be perfect. We have not the tradition here od the Advent Calendar, but I personally like the idea. Instead, we have the Advent Wreath.

    I hope you are having a great week before Christmas and wish you + your family a peaceful and happy Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andreia, thank you, I love knowing that there are faithful readers on the other side of the ocean. A merry Christmas to you and your family!

      Delete