Links I Like: Advent Edition

How can next week be December already?  I just don't know where the time goes!  We have an advent calendar countdown every year.  Last year, I made it more fun by putting activity or craft ideas or candy in each little door.  This year, I was looking for some new ideas and came across several:

The first is from Hubbard's Cupboard.  I found this link through The Homeschool Classroom. 

From Hubbard's Cupboard, I printed Verses for Advent and Christmas Songs.

There are tons of activities and craft link up on those sites!

I will also include crafts and special outings in the countdown.  Some ideas I have are:

• make a gingerbread house
• go for a drive to see Christmas Lights
• have hot cocoa by the fireplace
• make popcorn and watch a Christmas movie
• help Mom bake coookies
• decorate cookies
• go out to dinner with Mom and Dad (this is special, because we never go out for dinner, usually just lunch on the weekends)

As far as what I'll use as our advent calendar, last year I used something similar to this:

Target

Ours was a Santa shape and much cuter, but each door was really too small though.

This year, I have been looking for a new way of displaying our countdown and have come across some very creative ideas:

24 Ways to Countdown from Tip Junkie

Weekend Make and Takes: Advent


Countdown to Christmas by Thrifty Decor Chick

This Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar from Garnet Hill made me remember that I have little white buckets!  

 I bought 2- 18 packs of them on clearance at Michael's at least 4 years ago.  They've been sitting in my closet waiting for something special.  I better get working on this though!

Do you have any special Advent plans?  

I believe Liz at Sugarplum Creations will be doing a Countdown to Christmas link up in December.  Be sure to head to her blog for upcoming details!