And just like that it's nearly Christmas again!

I'm pretty sure that time is speeding up, like seriously. I cannot fathom that it is actually December again. I still feel like I'm in March, or maybe June at the latest. 

But December it is and with it comes the joy of Christmas! 

We have a rule in our house that we don't discuss anything Christmassy until Dec 1st, as Finney has his birthday at the end of November. This year he turned 5 - FIVE!! - so we had almost a full week of celebrations, with the kindy farewell, his birthday, his first day of school and a birthday party on the weekend. This hasn't left me much time over the past few weeks, but I managed to churn out the wee lads' Advent Calendars last night and this morning while they were at school. Phew. Just in time. To be honest, though, it doesn't actually matter when I start something, I always end up finishing at the last minute. Tax returns, school reports, promotional materials for the business. Always just in the nick of time. I think I actually work better under pressure. Just a bit more stressful! Anyway, that aside, their calendars are done and I am happy with them.

I have been becoming increasingly concerned that my kids are becoming too materialistic and are so busy dreaming about what they want next to appreciate what they already have. We have had lists for Santa since February this year. They pore over the Lego catalogues and painstakingly copy each set name and number down for him. They have an expectation of gifts. They aren't pleasantly surprised by or grateful for presents, but expect them. So this year, instead of our traditional gift advent calendars (Lego one here and others here), I have designed an activity one. Some Christmassy, some acts of service, some fun activities. See the list below for details. 



My design this year was taken from Willoday's simple, stylised trees, with some glittery Christmas bling. I rolled up the printed activities, taped with sparkly tape and popped them inside the trees.

 And the activities (in the super fun Budmo Jiggler font):