"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

Okay, not really, it's September and it was 75 out yesterday.  But it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my craft room.

Last year, shortly before Christmas, I discovered that we've been so busy trying to fit-in all our extended family's Christmas traditions that we'd forgotten to make any traditions of our own.

Fortunately, Parker was only 3 months old, so I think I still have time to rectify the situation.  Several people I've talked to mentioned their special advent calendars, so I thought I'd try making one for our family this year.

Growing up, I LOVED the count-down to Christmas, I'd have five or six different calendars that I'd use to count-down the days.  It's actually a little shocking that I've made it this far in my adult life without one.

So, after a ton of Internet research, I found this pattern on Joann.com.  Of course, their pattern is held together with glue, but I couldn't do it the easy way, I wanted mine hand embellished and sewn together.  (I think next time I'd go with the glue)

So, for the past few weeks, I've spent every evening surrounded by rick rack, embroidery floss, and sequins.

I am really excited about the final result:

I even added a little card on the back, so that as each day passes, you flip over the stocking and the card says "12 more days 'till Christmas".

My long-term plan is to put a little note in each stocking with an Advent reading as well as a small Christmas activity to do with Parker on each day.  He'll be a little young to appreciate it this year, but I think it will be a fun tradition in the future.

The only problem is I've only come up with five or six activity ideas so far.  Anyone have any suggestions?  They don't have to be complicated, just reading a favorite story, or drinking hot cocoa by the fire, whatever you do to make Christmas special.  Let me know your suggestions!