The children are very conscious that the Advent countdown is almost upon us. Their principal preparations have involved honing their own Christmas wish lists, but when I asked today what they were intending to give to others, there was a stunned silence. And a little embarrassed sheepishness.
And so, when I suggested that they might like to make Advent calendars for others, they pounced on the idea with rather more enthusiasm than I was expecting. We printed out the templates from Sarah at The Small Object and they drew their Christmassy motifs.
And made a start on their own gift giving. Though of course, I have an advent surprise for them - Eric Carle's Dream Snow Advent calendar.
Though perhaps I might be the one who loves it most of all. In a spirit of giving, I may even rustle up one of these for hubby - yup, it's a beer Advent Calendar. Genius. Wish I knew who to attribute it to, but I know exactly who to make one for!!
Now I want the Eric Carle advent calender! You find the most amazing things!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 28 November 2010 at 19:35
I love the concentration on your son's face as he draws the Christmasy motifs! The calender you have for them is lovely. I do like the beer Advent Calender too though!!!
Posted by: simone | 28 November 2010 at 19:41
The Eric Carle calender is lovely! Yes, I think Mr PR would prefer the beer calender...
Posted by: little pink room | 28 November 2010 at 19:50
Advent is already here Ali!
Love those calendars especially the beer one, one could adapt that to wine bottles.
Sue x
Posted by: Sue | 28 November 2010 at 20:04
The Eric Carle calender is super but the beer calender is just inspired. Might have to pinch that idea.
Posted by: Gina | 28 November 2010 at 20:05
I'm sure that my husband would like one of those beer calendars, but I think that he'd be sneaking beers early and it wouldn't last until Christmas...
Posted by: UK lass in US | 28 November 2010 at 20:08
A beer calendar - genius. My hub is having a bit of a hard time workwise - he deserves one of these.
Posted by: dottycookie | 28 November 2010 at 21:12
Oh dang it! If only I'd managed to read blogs yesterday, before my youngest went home. That beer advent calendar is awesome -- I can think of lots of guys who would love it. That's a must for next year -- thanks for posting!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 29 November 2010 at 02:34
Haha, that beer one is hilarious!
Love the ones your boys are making!
Posted by: Katherine | 29 November 2010 at 03:42
Did that boy really do those drawings? What talent.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 29 November 2010 at 09:53
The beer one is very funny! Although I don't think I'll be making that for my other half anytime soon, he doesn't need any encouragement!
Your boys are obviously very sweet!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | 29 November 2010 at 12:02
The Small Object advent calendar is a brilliant idea! I fell in love with the Eric Carle one last year but felt silly buying it for myself. So good to have the boys to buy for! K x
Posted by: kristina | 29 November 2010 at 13:00
Ali? Can i steal your beer calender idea for my hubby? I love it so much.
Posted by: joanna | 29 November 2010 at 13:08
1. Wish I had known of that Eric Carle calendar about seven years ago.
2. The beer one: ingenious. I might have to do a Twelve Days of Christmas one for my hubby, because he's too busy at work to wind down until the 25th.
3. Congrats re: getting the boys to roll up their sleeves and make gifts. Little Lad has turned up the idea and just keeps pestering me for a wish list of "boughten" items. Would it be inappropriate to ask him for wine?
Posted by: Lynn | 29 November 2010 at 15:30
Uh, that was supposed to be "turned up HIS NOSE AT the idea." Don't tell anyone I used to be an editor.
(Slinks off to get more coffee...)
Posted by: Lynn | 29 November 2010 at 15:34
Great advent calendars all round. I love Johnny's drawings and his organised workspace - he'll go far in life for sure.
Posted by: Julie | 29 November 2010 at 17:42
An advent idea to suit everyone, perfect!
Posted by: Two Owls | 30 November 2010 at 14:51
The beer calendar is genius - love it!
Posted by: lina | 30 November 2010 at 16:10
I love the eric carlise one and have come to expect no less from you. Wonderful. I am going to book mark the make your own one for next year, thanks Ali
Posted by: TheMadHouse | 30 November 2010 at 21:20
Thanks so much for the heads up on the Eric Carle advent: I realised in the early hours of Monday morning that the chance of making the string of tiny envelopes I'd only half planned was starting to look a tad unlikely. So I bought the Eric and the Olive the other reindeer one. Will have two very happy children in the morning [and a pile of very small envelopes!].
Posted by: Julie | 30 November 2010 at 23:03
The beer calendar is sheer brilliance. I wished I'd spotted your post 2 days ago as Mr C would just love this (maybe keep this up my sleeve for next year..). I discovered your blog quite recently and will be popping back for more as I just love your writing style. Thanks again for the chuckle!
Pen
Posted by: Pen at Oliver Boliver | 02 December 2010 at 09:27
All those calendars are wonderful. The beer one is inspired! Might try that next year, but with miniatures ...
Posted by: Annabel | 06 December 2010 at 09:35
Oh, the beer one is genius, wish I'd seen it sooner - I'll do that for DH next year!
Posted by: Peeriemoot | 22 December 2010 at 12:52