From bougie to basic, there are a lot of iterations of the advent calendar now from booze to coffee to candles, puzzles, gardening and self-care all counting down to Christmas Day. There is a box ready to roll for every subject or interest (love a murder mystery? Yep, there is one for that too).
{Straightaway Cocktail Advent \ Apotheke Candle Advent \ Onyx Coffee Advent \ Anthropolgie 12 Days of Puzzles Advent \ In Good Taste Wine Advent \ Oak Essentials x Jenni Kayne Self Care Advent}
Truth is, I didn’t grow up with this tradition. My most fond memory of it is the reflection of the countdown in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I like the idea of it… something to look forward to each day during a month that is fraught with wild schedules and obligations, end of year coulda-woulda-shouldas and of course darkness at lunchtime. One particularly hard year my best friend shipped me a wine a day advent. I truthfully didn’t need any help (drinking) at the time doing so, but it was thoughtful and I tried a little bit of a lot of varietals I didn’t know (I’ve been in the food and beverage business for 20 years…). I embraced the education at the bottom of those little bottles and learned a little bit.
This year I hope to reframe and bring the purpose of the advent back home. The history of advent is rooted in Christianity, AND the second stop on our Progressive Dinner idea is Christmas, however; I don’t believe the greater messaging or celebration needs to be religious. I still celebrate Christmas but also Hannukah and believe in generally being a kind human year-round.
THERE ARE FOUR THEMES FOR ADVENT:
HOPE \ PEACE \ JOY \ LOVE
I think we are all in agreement that we need a little (or a lotta) bit more of this in our lives. I’ve challenged myself to figure out how I, “just one person” can consume less of everything and make a difference in this world. What I’ve realized is that I don’t have to think in such grand scale when there are plenty of micro-acts of hope, peace, joy and love that I can do every day to make a difference.
This year I’m encouraging you to make your own advent calendar. Each day instead of taking from the calendar, I want you to add something to the world that is in the vein of one theme of advent. Once you’ve done the thing, write it down on a piece of paper (or whatever you choose) and put it inside of your calendar. On December 25th (whether you celebrate Christmas or not) you read each one of those pieces of paper. I think it will be a beautiful way to feel hope, peace, joy and love and to understand your impact in this world which in my opinion is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Volunteer at a food bank, shelter or nursing home
- Adopt a child or family for Christmas
- Send a card to a friend or family member just because
- Buy a stranger coffee
- Tell someone you love them
- Donate a meal to a family in need
- Hold the door for as long as it takes
- Keep your phone in your pocket, look people in the eye and smile (I promise this is more rare than you think)
- Bake cookies and take them to your neighbors or a friend
- Run errands for an elderly neighbor or offer to take them holiday shopping
- Lay wreaths for fallen service members at a local cemetery
- Tell a co-worker you appreciate them and why
- Feed the birds
- Walk someone else’s dog
- Return someone else’s grocery cart in the parking lot
- Donate clothing, books, or items you don’t need to those that do
- Give a stranger a compliment
- Wait. For the other car to merge. The slower person to check out….
- Thank your mail carrier, your package deliverer, anyone that has made your life more convenient and/or beautiful
Lastly, do not forget, sometimes we are the ones in need of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. Ways to fill your own heart and soul this season might be:
- Noticing the beauty in the sunrise or sunset
- Taking note of how you feel when you take that first sip of coffee
- Lighting a candle and taking a deep breath
- Allowing yourself to belly laugh as loudly as you want
- Let the hug linger a little longer
- Taking note of the things you’ve already overcome
- Journaling about who or what brought you joy, hope, peace or love this year
- Stop to feel the sun on your face
You can make your own and I love THESE with the numbered pockets so you can add your own holiday décor, greenery or colorful cards
Or, if you are like me and would rather get to the giving more than the crafting, I’ve put together a few options that are re-useable year after year.
