Comments on: Family Advent Traditions (+ DIY Wreath & Calendars)

By: krishna

krishna — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 09:45:01 +0000

Love the festive ideas! Creating traditions with DIY wreaths and calendars adds warmth and joy to the holiday season.

By: KATHY

KATHY — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 15:56:44 +0000

I have always wanted to do some kind of advent wreath in my home, but am not at all crafty and was daunted by the materials lists, instructions, and cost of making my own.
Thanks to you, I have found something very doable! I have all the materials at hand, it won’t cost me anything, and will be easy to assemble.
I’m really excited to put this together this week to be ready for the beautiful Advent season!
Thank you so much!

By: Jeanne Beebe

Jeanne Beebe — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 02:36:29 +0000

I have followed you for years, and I’ve never been so pleased to read any of your posts as THIS ONE! Of course, you have many awesome recipes that I use almost daily, but I always wondered about your spiritual side. I’m thankful for this post and for your courage in telling your own story in this way. LOVE IT!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:05:01 +0000

I like having a wreath I can use year after year and not have to buy a new one every time. I think I would use an artificial wreath and LED taper candles. I don’t know how to take care of real candles, so this measure is more for safety. I like the idea of the Fontanini 7.5″ nativity scene. However, I cannot afford the expense right now. $50 here, $144 there; they are very expensive once you add up the costs of all the pieces you need. Christians also celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8th, something you probably did not think of. It’s a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, meaning Catholics are required to attend Mass that day.

By: Marla

Marla — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:30:01 +0000

I immediately noticed the same thing and am glad you said something. It’s too bad people live so deeply in the fear of man that they cannot utter the name of Jesus Christ even in a simple blog post.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 05:18:31 +0000

Love this post!!! My sisters studied abroad in Austria in college, too!
Thanks so much!! 🙂

By: Jody

Jody — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 03:51:58 +0000

In reply to Korie. I love this idea. I'm going to share it with my kids and their families. Thank you.

By: Jody

Jody — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 03:51:23 +0000

I enjoyed reading about your Christmas traditions. In our home we always set up a nativity scene and we observed Advent by reading scripture or special Advent devotions, singing Christmas songs, and lighting candles almost every night up until Christmas day. We also celebrated St. Nick’s Day on Dec. 6th. I found the chocolate letters, a Dutch custom, an initial for each of the children’s names and St. Nick brought them.

I’m now giving special ornaments to each of our 9 grandkids for the Xmas trees.

By: Lindsay LaRowe

Lindsay LaRowe — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 02:26:40 +0000

Thank you! I love the Christmas angel! I was struggling with the idea of the elf on the shelf since it’s geared so much toward behavior and feels negative to me. I think we will use the elf we were gifted and put some wings on it and a halo!
Thank you!

By: Korie

Korie — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 17:55:39 +0000

This year we are starting the Star from Afar as my older kids no longer believe in the magic of the Elf on the Shelf (thank goodness).
It starts with a nativity scene. The parent starts by placing the star in the far end of the house. The kids each select a character, usually the wise men. Each night the parent moves it. It is not a secret the parent moves it so don’t fret if you forget. The kids move there characters to the star each day. Each day the star gets closer to the nativity and so do their characters. There is a great little story book too.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 21:46:30 +0000

Katie; wonderful post. Really like that You go against the grain and not fall into the mass media commercialism of Christmas. I was looking to get some decorations for our new home. So glad I came across Your post and decided to make the Advent wreath. Me and my children had so much fun making it; coloring twine, gathering evergreens and pine cones in the forest. At the same time it was/is a great learning experience about the Advent season. Now we just need to get matches. 🙂

By: Katie - Wellness Mama

Katie - Wellness Mama — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 15:58:58 +0000

In reply to Mary. Thanks for your kind words!

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 15:35:18 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing how your family celebrates this holy season! We celebrate in many if not all of the same ways, using Advent as a season of preparation! My husband and I both come from families of 11 and now have 4 of our own children. As they grow I follow your blog and am always finding new, healthy ways to celebrate our long time family traditions! Thanks so much for all you do; we absolutely love your podcast and I await your new episodes with much anticipation each week! I know how much work it is, but your passion is so encouraging and we are constantly looking for ways to make our kids lives mess toxic so THANK YOU!!! Have a blessed advent and a Merry Christmas!

By: Vince

Vince — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 04:18:58 +0000

I love your information here. It’s fascinating how much traditions differ. Advent is not something that I’d ever focused on in my family before, although I’ve heard the term countless times over the year.

By: Leslie Hanson

Leslie Hanson — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 02:33:39 +0000

In reply to Annmarie. Very special! So many memories like this come from my childhood too.

By: Leslie Hanson

Leslie Hanson — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 02:29:27 +0000

In reply to Susan Smalley. This is very sweet and makes my heart feel full! Thanks for sharing!

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:49:48 +0000

According to the veracity & authority of Scripture (the Bible), where the foundations of the authentic Christian faith are found. Jesus Christ, the son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and not by “Insemination”.

I’m sorry you felt you had to criticize those who were sharing their family traditions, which is what this blog was about.
Katie asked…Your turn! I’d love to hear if your family does anything during Advent and what traditions you have … share below!

I think it’s wonderful for families and parents to make the experience of the birth of Christ as full and rich as it can be. It is a Holy Season, and the more we can share of God’s love with our children, the more equipped they will be to live in this world that tries so hard to exterminate Christ. The world could use more love and kindness, and the children more Truth and understanding of those who followed the Lord Jesus who came to earth to teach us how to live.

By: Annmarie

Annmarie — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:42:48 +0000

Great article, Katie! We also make an Advent Wreath & light it each week. I also love to take the kids to see A Christmas Carol every year! It is a tradition started by my friend’s mom when I was younger. She took all the kids in the neighborhood plus her own (12!). So many find memories of that! We also celebrate St. Nick’s Day & yes the story is true! St. Nick secretly left gold so the poor girls could have dowries to find husbands!!

By: Leslie Hanson

Leslie Hanson — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 20:37:25 +0000

In reply to Leslie Hanson. Oops, posted without editing possibility! So other Jesse Tree symbols are the apple in the Garden of Eden, Jacob's staff, burning bush, Jonah's big fish, the 10 Commandments, sheep, dove, etc., etc.,... you get the picture! We all sing and act in many of the Christmas plays at church as well. One of our sons and one of our daughters (we have 7 kids in all with 20 grandchildren so far), played Joseph and Mary in 2016. The same daughter was baby Jesus 25 years ago! Our family has never lost the true focus of the Christmas holidays because of our observances and traditions!

By: Geretta Ball

Geretta Ball — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 03:38:43 +0000

It’s really nice hearing your Christmas traditions. I grew up with the center of Christmas on the Creche also. It’s such a great memory and it always felt larger than life! When your older you look back and see that it wasn’t that beautiful but at the time we were in awe. With the light behind the angel at the top of the manger. It’s a very special memory and one I hope I’ve passed to my kids and their kids! Thanks for sharing, love your blog and Merry Christmas to you and yours! A Blessed Net Year too!