One of the McAllister's christmas traditions... (this is kind of long, sorry)

Well, today is the first day of Christmas!! MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! My holiday is off to a great start since I found a great little surprise in my car bright and early this morning before I even went to the gym...my annual chocolate filled Advent Calendar! I was getting a little worried last night, it being Nov. 30th and no calendar was in sight. I'm not sure why I worried, my dad is great and so on top of things like this. And then snuck over and put it in my car so it would be the first thing I did this morning. Oh, ya just gotta love traditions and good dads!


My calendar in the car this morning

Door number one (I had ready eaten the chocolate by the time I took the picture, sorry I couldn't wait)

The advent calendar, isn't it pretty, with the old fashioned Santa

My dad even went all the way to Trader Joe's to get this years calendar, how fun!

A happy girl!
















Ever since I can remember I have had an advent calendar to help count down the days until

christmas. My grandma made a felt christmas tree with little pockets at the bottom that were filled with felt ornaments to decorate the tree and whatever little gifts (coins, candy, etc...) my parents put in them. When we realized most of the ornaments were missing my dad decided to buy the calendars that are filled with chocolate for me to open (what child will refuse that?). One year, I believe it was the first year we lived in Germany for our second tour, I had an advent calender that was probably about 3 1/2 ft high and filled with toys...let me tell you, that was a fun christmas season. :) Here are some pictures of other advent calendars:

Now we can't forget the advent wreath as well. My dad has always had one at his church during the christmas season and it was so much fun when I was younger to get to light the candle or candles during the service. Sadly, not all churchs have advent wreaths anymore (and some denominations don't even teach their people about it, I had some friends who had never even heard of it before!). They are a great way families to take a moment each sunday and come together and remember a part of the christmas story.

I'm sorry this got so stinkin long but I was having fun remembering. :) If you don't have your own advent calender to open then I suggest checking this site every day and finding out interesting facts about how other countries celebrate Christmas: Interactive World Advent Calendar (sorry, these don't come with chocolate)...it's quite interesting.

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