I am going to do my final shopping for the week today. Tomorrow I will make sure that the house is all in order for guests and hopefully wrap some presents that need to be sent this week. And on Wednesday, I plan to make two pies, rolls, my favorite salad as well as get the dishes down and straighten the patio area. Sounds a bit busy but not really.
I was thinking that instead of considering Thanksgiving and fall ideas, it's time to turn to getting ready for the next set of winter holidays like Christmas. One of my favorite things when I was a child was counting down to Christmas. It was actually a favorite activity of my children also.
I used Advent to begin that countdown and believe it or not, the first day of Advent is this coming Sunday, November 30, 2025! Remember that slippery slope that began with Halloween...well, we are sliding down it fast and gathering speed!
There are lots of ways to countdown to Holidays from very expensive purchased Advent Calendars including ones with chocolate, coffee, toys, etc. I always liked to purchase the paper Advent Calendar where you opened a door each day. But even those have become expensive. You can use them year to year though AND at the end of the season, you can purchase them extremely inexpensively.
But to be perfectly honest, my favorite way to make a countdown calendar is to make it myself. So here are a couple ideas that I have tried over the years. And whether there are children involved or only adult(s), I hope you try some type of countdown to whatever holiday you celebrate.
1. Make or unmake a paper chain. I like to make one and then hang it on the tree at the end. This one is easy. You only need paper, a scissors and either a stapler or tape. Cut 25 strips of colorful paper one or two inches wide and around eight to ten inches long. Only regular paper, color each strip before adding. You can also use magazine pages, especially heavier ones. You can add something to do on each strip like, make a card, draw a picture of something to give, bake cookies, make a tree ornament, etc. By the end of Advent you will have a nice long paper chain to hang.
2. Make a Holiday Wreath. This one is a bit more involved. You will need a round wreath form which is cut out of a piece of cardboard. A circle around fourteen inches in diameter (or larger if you want) with a smaller circle cut out in the center leaving about a three inch wide area. Many times I had to cut the circle out on two pieces of cardboard and then tape the halves together. You will also need colorful paper, (or even magazine pages), a pencil, scissors, a marker and either glue or tape.
Each day have one person/child or more draw around their hand(s) with a pencil, cut it out, and then have that person think of something good they wish for others and write it on the cut out hand shape with the marker, then glue or tape it to the wreath starting close to the outside edge with fingers pointing outward. By the end of the countdown, the wreath will be full of good wishes.
I have a few more ideas to share about countdowns this week. Remember that one day will be a 'house' day for our winter village.
For now, have a great day. Take a few minutes to relax and daydream. Talk with you tomorrow...