Christmas Wishes 2018

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Patti_is_knittinginflashes

It’s that time again for the box of Christmas Wishes! I had to get these ready now so the recipients can take them home at Thanksgiving (and save me from mailing them later).

I downloaded these tree box templates from PaperBuiltShop. They are so cute and can hold larger items. The three tree boxes contain Christmas tree-shaped candy canes similar to these.

Instead of buying paper for the packets, I used some old music paper which I ran through the printer to add some holiday graphics.

The packets contain a small ornament to hang on a small 2-foot tree. One ornament per child each day beginning December 1st so by Christmas Eve the tree will be decorated. This year it’s 69 ornaments as the candy cane tree won’t hang on the tree. (BTW, my daughter saves most of the ornaments each year and gives them back to me every other year so I don’t have to buy all new ones each year. And the grandchildren haven’t complained yet!)

Ready to go.

Do you have an Advent tradition?

My Advent calendar

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Patti_is_knittinginflashes

Mr. Aitch surprised me with my own Advent/Christmas Wishes calendar.

What could it be?

Hmmm…from Paintbox Yarns.*

Day 1…

10 grams (31 yards) of Soft Camel DK yarn. How sweet!

*I received no compensation from Paintbox Yarns.

Day 1 of Advent/Christmas Wishes

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Patti_is_knittinginflashes

The box of Christmas Wishes arrived at their destination.

Loops were added this year so the packages could hang from a banister, railing, mantle, tree, or whatever.

Day 24 contains some special things that wouldn’t fit inside those small packets.

I love how my daughter decorated her mantel this year.

Do you do anything special for Advent?

Christmas Wishes 2016

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Patti_is_knittinginflashes

Before we get to the meat of this post, I want to thank all our veterans for serving and defending the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. Thank you so much.

Well, I’m really going against MY rules about posting something about Christmas before Thanksgiving in the US but I’m posting this now those of you who wanted/needed a reminder early enough so you can do this, too, if you want.

Christmas Wishes or an Advent calendar of sorts. A small gift, Words of encouragement, activity suggestion, simple craft, or treat is opened each day before Christmas. For more details, read this.

In the beginning I used brown paper lunch-sized bags. Then one year I wrapped each “gift” and quickly learned that I wasn’t doing that again! Finally I made those sour cream packets since I was using small items and the lunch bags were just too large.

I used card stock this year and glue sticks. The double-sided tape works better but is more expensive. Plus I didn’t have much tape.

I printed out the numbers and cut them out with a large hole punch. Paper sizes were 4×5, 4×6, and 6×6. A paper cutter works great but so does a rotary cutter.

The mini ornaments and no candy.

The card stock was sturdier than what I used in the past so I held the ends together with spring clips until the glue dried. I won’t lie, this took longer than using the double-sided tape but I needed to take breaks anyway.