LilSugar

It's Go Time: 9 Beautiful Advent Calendars From Etsy

Natasha Dantzig — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:29:09 PST

Let the countdown begin! Part of the fun of the holiday season is the preparation and excitement leading up to the big day. Advent calendars have a long, storied tradition as a classic and fun way to spend the days leading up until Christmas, and tots love checking off one day at a time, eagerly anticipating that early morning celebration on December 25.

Keep reading for a selection of stunning handmade advent calendars from Etsy that will make the waiting a little more bearable for eager lil ones.

DIY: Advent Calendars

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:40 PST

The anticipation of Christmas facilitated by my mother's advent calendar was always my favorite part of the holiday season growing up. (These days, it's mulled wine.) But I've never been a fan of those store-bought advent calendars where you opened a little paper door each day. They're cute, but certainly not as fun as a calendar filled with treats or activities. The possibilities for making your own advent calendar are endless, but I thought I'd round up a few DIY projects to inspire you (and woo you away from the drugstore variety).

Reinventing the Advent Calendar

LilSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:00:05 PST

The countdown to Christmas has come a long way from the two-for-a-dollar advent calendars I had as a kid.

No more chalky chocolates found behind cardboard doors, now the elaborate calendars can be filled with presents, candies, trinkets, and toys. Several versions are made by toy companies and others are handcrafted keepsakes. And, most of them will set you back a pretty penny.

Whatever you're using to count, when you're a kid 25 days seems to take forever.

Modern Advent Calendar ($46)	LEGO City Advent Calendar ($37)
Chocolate Advent Calendar - 3D House ($10)	Littlest Pet Shop Advent Calendar ($20)
Playmobil Advent Calendar Xmas in the Park ($45)	Hanging Advent Calendar with 24 Ornaments ($20)	Kurt Adler Nativity Advent Calendar with Magnetic Pieces ($60)

A DIY Advent Calendar For the Holiday Season

OnSugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:00:07 PST

Here's a post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:

The second day on the road to Christmas brings the finalized advent calendar. The whole thing ended up being rather heavy, so I finally decided to hang the buckets from the garland that runs on the stairwell balustrade. A bit risky since the kids pass them a zillion times a day and the height is just right. Guess it's time to teach these little nippers some self-control!

Did it take a long time to hang these buckets - oh yes! At least a little smooth background music and romantic candlelight and the lights in the tree created a fun atmosphere to work in. End result: not quite what I originally pictured but pretty nice anyway. Leaves some space for improvement next year . . .

Finally here - what surprises will the first bucket hold this year...

All 24 ready, first kids to sleep, then buckets up, tissues in, and first lot of surprises too (not trusting that the newly taught self-control will kick in immediately)

The night before December first - our advent calendar is ready to go up (and it's nicer to work in candlelight)

Romantic candlelight and a glass of wine helped this little elf to complete the crafting project

The last ones are up. We'll see how many will come down because of nosy little kids . . .

Like what you see? Start following House of Anaïs to read more! Or start your own OnSugar blog and maybe it will be featured here as well!

Valerie Bertinelli Loses Weight Around the Holidays, Do You?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:49:19 PST

With all the chocolate Advent calendars, fruitcakes, homemade gingerbread cookies, potato latkes, eggnog, and holiday parties, it amazes me that 51-year-old Valerie Bertinelli tells People magazine:

"You know what, I lose weight, not gain it, during the holidays. You have more days off, so you have more time to go to the gym and be active. I have so much more time to work out this time of year."

The former Jenny Craig spokesperson added:

"I'm spending hours running around, cooking in the kitchen, and by the time, it comes around to getting to eat, I don't even want to eat that turkey anymore - I'm sick of it. So keeping fit for me is easy this time of year."

Personally between all the yummy holiday treats and the extra time spent shopping (instead of lacing up my sneaks), I end up gaining a few. How about you?