12.02.2010

Our Advent Tree




Every year I have great intentions of doing an advent calendar and every year it always seems to slip through my finger tips. Now that my children are getting to the age of understanding I was most determined to do one. I wanted to stick with my simple + rustic theme for the year and when I came across Sally's and Seleta's giving thanks tree's I knew I could easily adapt it to the Christmas season. We found a lovely stick (which was the kiddos favorite part) and put it into one of my pots (that holds a Styrofoam moss ball) that normally sits on my front porch. I then sat it in the dining room so every night after dinner we can read the scripture that correlates with that day and then we would hang the verse on the tree. This year I am using the scripture from here. For the versus I simple used this digital stamp in photoshop and then printed it out on cardstock. I then wrote in the scripture. So simple and it's perfect way for our family to celebrate Christmas every night.

Do you all have any traditions that lead into Christmas that you do with your own family or remember doing while growing up? I would love to hear!

23 comments:

Cassie said...

I love the idea of using a bare branch and then adding your decorations to this. I think it is so easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas and we can easily get distracted with all the glitter and shine.
xx

Kera said...

this is an absolutely fabulous tradition...i might have to steal it. thanks for the idea!!! xx

Anonymous said...

I love this tradition, plus it takes away the commercial aspect of making it less about chocolate and more about the true meaning of Christmas, it's so lovely. I wish I had kids to do that with, but I'll keep this in mind for my SUnday school class as next year they will be older and will understand more.

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Love this.

Laurel-Dawn McBurney said...

This is such a lovely tradition to start- I also love that it serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas! My family wears matching pj's every year- it's so silly now that we are adults- but hey, traditions are traditions!!!

abodelove.blogspot.com

Laurel-Dawn McBurney said...

This is such a lovely tradition to start- I also love that it serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas! My family wears matching pj's every year- it's so silly now that we are adults- but hey, traditions are traditions!!!

abodelove.blogspot.com

daninotes said...

I LOVE this. Thank you so much for sharing...we need to hunt for a great stick after school :)

Kristen Laurence said...

Beautiful! You could use Ann Voskamp's Jesse tree ornaments and scripture readingsfor your branches!

Our most beloved advent tradition is to have an empty manger laid out on a table in our living room. When the children do something exceptionally good or kind they get to place a piece of straw in the empty bed. By the time Christmas day arrives the manger is plush and soft for the Infant Child! My girls delight in this all through advent.

Wahzat Gayle said...

Oh wow this is awesome. I have trying to come up with a way to incorporate the bible into the children's Christmas and here you have it hugs to you for sharing it is an awesome idea

Tash said...

I love this, so meaningful and simple! We do a miniature Christmas wish tree every year. I make simple blank wish cards and place them in the tree for everyone to take and fill out. Then we read our wishes after the holidays all together which makes for a fun evening and extends the festivities a little bit more :)

coolkids said...

fab tradition Paula! love it.

Erin Deegan said...

paula, you have flawless style. everything you do, leaves me in awe! i love the advent tree! it's so lovely.

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

I love advent calendars, mostly because my mom had one w/ a velcro bear that moved from date to date. But that tree! I want that tree :)

Kelsey Cunningham said...

I absolutely love that idea. Instead of counting down, you are counting towards. And the Bible verses are a very nice touch. Such inspiration - I'm definitely going to try to remember that when I have little ones of my own.

I'm a new follower, your blog is fabulous, and so is your house! Happy Holidays!

Karena said...

Oh so many, stringing cranberries and popcorn to decorate the tree. Christmas Carroling, sleigh rides....great memories!

I have a $200 Giveaway from Fifi Flowers!
Do come and enter!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Unknown said...

Love this idea- your tree is so charming.

Style, She Wrote said...

Gorgeous! Love your decor. xo style, she wrote

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

Beautiful. So meaningful and special and non commercial. Very nice to see something tied more to meaning and less to gifts or candy.

Lissa Chandler said...

i love your idea! it's refreshing and lovely.

Style, She Wrote said...

Love it! Beautiful and good sentiment too.

Miss B said...

Oh this looks gorgeous! I love the simplicity:)

Polish and Patina said...

Love this - wonderful tradition. I'm going to steal next year, too! It's much better than my chocolate calendar. :) Lindley

My Many Moments said...

I love your blog! I just ran across it and added you rigt away. Thanks for all the inspiring ideas and photos.
www.mymanymoments.blogspot.com