Advent Calendar Activities

I have been having lots of fun doing my advent calendar activities this year.  There are a few that we have not done yet and still lots more to come.  Apparently a few videos I thought we owned we don't so we didn't end up watching them on the day I put them on.  But if they are on tv before Christmas we will be watching them for sure!  But I thought it would be nice to share some of the activities we have done.  If you are on instagram you would have already seen these pics.

 

Make Marshmallows!  These were delicious and surprisingly easy.

Go to Christmas Carols.  Imogen got to wear her adorable elf shirt that she was given by the darling Movie Mazz.

Put up the Christmas Decorations.  These are obviously in no particular order because this was the first activity we did for the month.

Make a gingerbread house.  I was lazy this year and used a kit from Aldi.  I have made my own the last two years and I am hoping next year I will have time to again.

Go to myer and buy new Christmas decorations.  I used to work at myer and loved their Christmas decorations and Christmas section so I wanted to take Imogen there and buy decorations.  I basically waved decorations in front of her and bought the ones she laughed at.

Make Imogen's santa sack.  This was a super simply project so I didn't bother posting it.  I bought some retro Christmas fabric from Spotlight and sewed it along the bottom and side.  Then I made a channel and used some red bias binding for a tie. Simple & quick!

Go get santa photos.  This was hilarious! Imogen was not impressed at all but on the plus side she didn't cry.  The minute we took her off santa and put her back in her stroller though she started cracking out the smiles and giggles.  Cheeky little monkey!

Wrap presents.  I had a bit fun this year wrapping our presents in brown paper, red ribbon and doilies.  I  actually made a super cute little pom pom with doilies that I want to share in more detail this week.  Stay tuned for that!

Write Christmas cards.  

Buy a new Christmas cd.  This year I bought Glee.  I really wanted Michael Buble but I couldn't find it the day we were at the shop.  Hopefully next year!

Make Polar Express Hot Chocolate.  This is delicious!!! Seriously guys make this hot chocolate and why not chuck some homemade marshmallows in there to top it off.  Recipe here.

Make Christmas Decorations.  These were super fun to make and easy too!  I am hoping to make Christmas decorations each year with Imogen so our tree will slowly be taken over by handmade decorations.

So that's it so far.  We still have a few more to do this week.  I can't wait for Christmas though. It is my favourite day of the year!

Handmade Ornament Swap Goodies

I am so excited for Christmas this year! It's Imogen's first Christmas and even though she won't remember any of it I want to make it special.  I am counting down to December 1st when I get to decorate the tree and the house.  I am especially excited to put up my new decorations that I received in the handmade ornament swap.

 

Both of my parcels arrived in the post yesterday and it was very exciting to unwrap them together.  They were both wrapped so beautifully that I almost didn't want to unwrap them.



The first parcel I unwrapped was from the darling Tracey at Sunny Corner Farm.  She sent me three gorgeous felt ornaments that she had embroidered.  They are just gorgeous and I think they will be go perfectly on our tree.  Not only did Tracey send me these gorgeous ornaments but she also sent three button magnets that went straight onto the fridge.

The second parcel was from the lovely Sarah over at Gladys In The Garden.  She made me some gorgeous little bird bunting with the loveliest mix of fabrics.  I can't wait to hang these up!  I am debating where in the house to hang them.  Once they are hung I will take a better picture because this one just doesn't do it justice.

I want to say a massive thank you to Sarah and Tracey for their gifts.  I absolutely love them!  Also, a massive thank you to Christina for organising this swap.  It was loads of fun to take part in and the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.

Handmade Ornament Swap

Last week I finally made a decisions on what I was going to make for the handmade ornament swap and set about putting my gifts together.  I must say I am pretty happy with how they turned out.

I found these awesome little boxes in Big W the other day and they were only $3 for 2.  I thought they would be perfect to package my baubles.  They are meant to be for cupcakes and I think I might go back and get a few more for cupcakes for people.

To make these baubles I used this tutorial which was super easy to follow.  After the first 2 I was just making the remainder from memory.

These are waiting on our dining room table to be posted and I am just waiting for a day I get a chance to duck to the post office.  It's never a quick trip with Miss Imogen!

I am so excited for Christmas!!! I have a few other projects to share with you guys but I am saving them for December.  I am thinking December will be all about Christmas on Petticoats & Peplums this year.  I feel a bit of a countdown coming on....