One tradition we wanted to start with Cakes was the use of an advent calendar though somehow involving her in the making of the calendar. I had scoured the internet for a few hours (I had not stumbled across pinterest yet) and couldn't find anything we had all the resources for and had to come up with something myself. We had some cardboard lying around (much to Daddy's disgust) so we turned it into a Christmas tree.
After I had cut the two triangle shapes out Cakes painted them both green on all sides. She did a very good job for a 19month old. Then she decorated the tree with stickers. She loved taking the paper off the back and making them sticky more than putting them on the 'tree'.
After I had cut the two triangle shapes out Cakes painted them both green on all sides. She did a very good job for a 19month old. Then she decorated the tree with stickers. She loved taking the paper off the back and making them sticky more than putting them on the 'tree'.
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I collected 24 small toys, lollies and books (This cost me about $10 with small packets of things separated across several days for her to collect the whole set) and wrapped them all in wrapping paper and loosely tied them all on with ribbon. The last thing we attached was Cakes's letter to Santa in the hope he would leave some presents and a letter in reply. Cakes picked pictures out of the toy catalogues (that I had saved from the June toy sales) and I cut them out for her to glue onto her letter.
Cakes took a few days to catch on that this was a daily thing. She didn't once ask to unwrap a second present (which was great because I really though she would). I was more excited than she was each morning to unwrap a present. The few days I had a sleep in Daddy let Cakes remind him about the present and he even remembered to take photos for me (which was very unexpected seeing he doesn't value photos). I was a little worried what would happen after we had finished all the presents, though she knew it was all over. I am assuming the day she got a few extra presents from here, there and everywhere (Christmas Day) was a nice big finale for her. Santa even left her a letter in reply to the collage and food she left for him. Hopefully he is just as friendly this year (provided he can find us, we will be away for Christmas day this year). We are going to use the 'tree' this year as our holiday tree, looking forward to Cakes decorating it.
Cakes took a few days to catch on that this was a daily thing. She didn't once ask to unwrap a second present (which was great because I really though she would). I was more excited than she was each morning to unwrap a present. The few days I had a sleep in Daddy let Cakes remind him about the present and he even remembered to take photos for me (which was very unexpected seeing he doesn't value photos). I was a little worried what would happen after we had finished all the presents, though she knew it was all over. I am assuming the day she got a few extra presents from here, there and everywhere (Christmas Day) was a nice big finale for her. Santa even left her a letter in reply to the collage and food she left for him. Hopefully he is just as friendly this year (provided he can find us, we will be away for Christmas day this year). We are going to use the 'tree' this year as our holiday tree, looking forward to Cakes decorating it.
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|   Linking up for Tuesday Tots with Rainy Day Mum, Growing a Jeweled Rose and Toddler Christmas Craft! with Mummy Musings and Mayhem |
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