I’ve been having to “take it easy” lately, due to lots of contractions and a positive fetal fibronectin test (which isn’t really very accurate when it is positive, and doesn’t mean I will go into labor in the next couple weeks, I just don’t have the reassurance that I won’t…). So, as you have probably already noticed, it has finally allowed me to spend a little time considering this coming Advent and Christmas. I’ve been having so much fun deciding on a few new things to purchase (with the help of a surprise Amazon gift card!!) for this year, and I thought I’d take a moment to share a few of my finds with you all.
Have you seen the new Saint Nicholas and Christmas Angel Playmobil toys? My boys absolutely love all things Playmobil and I can’t wait to surprise them with this little set on the feast of St. Nicholas!
Last year our children had so much fun putting together the Our Lady of Guadalupe Puzzle during Advent, that I decided to purchase another puzzle for this year. I ran across some beautiful options, including No Room at The Inn, White Mountain Puzzles O Night Divine, Ravensburger Two Angels, and this absolutely gorgeous Holy Infant Window Puzzle. I ended up deciding on this Nativity in the Woods 1000pc Jigsaw Puzzle though… For some reason, it just seemed perfect for our family! (Here is a similar Stained Glass Window Jigsaw Puzzle.)
In the past it has always been so hard to find Nativity themed Stockings for our boys. (The girls all have Angel Stockings, which seem to be a little easier to find, though not much!) This year we ran across two favorites and ended up deciding on the beautiful Kurt Adler 19-Inch Canvas “Joy to the World” Christmas Stocking, in case this new little guy decides to arrive in time for Christmas.
In addition to the our very first and favorite Advent Calendar, I have always wanted to add a Fabric/Banner Version as well, to go along with our Jesse Tree, but have never had the opportunity to create one. This year I was surprised to run across so many options including: Alma’s Design Nativity Advent Calendar, Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar by Vermont Christmas Company, Nativity Advent Calendar by Pockets of Learning, and the Little People Nativity Advent Calendar. I ultimately decided on the Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar by Kubla Crafts. Which one is your favorite?
Next on my list is trying to find nice, yet affordable, slippers, chocolate coins and new picture books for the feast of St. Nicholas!
I bought the angel/st. nick playmobile figures too, for St. Nick's feast day. Can't wait to add it to our collection!
Praying you get the rest you need, while you enjoy all your planning! Thanks for all the tips (and reminders)!
This is really so wonderful, thank you for sharing all of these links! I've been saving an Amazon gift card for Advent/feast day things, too, lol.
Our prayers are with you and your little one!
God Bless,
Collette
We are huge playmobil fans! Three of our children were born in Germany.
I want to share a neat little bit of information about the angel in the set. It is actually referred to as "das Christkindchen" where we lived. In Germany, and a few other countries, das Christkinchen (infant Jesus) brings the gifts. You can read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christkind
I thought you might like to share that with your children. Our kids don't believe in Santa because since they were babies, das Christkindchen brought the presents. Oh and another thing, when the sky is a bright pink early in the morning in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we tell the children that Christkindchen backt plaetzchen (the Christ child is baking cookies). It is a tradition that my mother-in-law taught me.
God bless and thanks for sharing all of the ideas and links.
Wow! Jessica you seem to have that "nesting" feeling happening. You are really getting things ready for Christmas. I will pray for you and your wonderful new miracle of life. You are so inspiring to many people. May God continue to bless you and your family!!
Our Kubla Craft Nativity Advent calendar just arrived today and I'm impressed with how nicely made it is. I can't believe I hesitated to buy it. I saw the Playmobil Angel and St. Nicholas set on another site a few days ago and it's on my list of things I want for this Advent.
Thank you for all these links! Such fun to start clicking away!
Question: (kind of off topic) but can you tell me how tall your felt Jesse Tree is? I'm just trying to get an idea because I plan to make one this year. Thanks!
Karra
Thanks for all these wonderful links!
I was wondering if you could answer a question of mine. How tall is your Jesse Tree? I'm thinking of making one as well and I'm not very good at mapping it out on the felt. How tall/wide? And approx how big are the ornaments? I know you are super busy so even an estimation (like it's up to my hip) would be helpful!
Praying for you and the sweet baby!
Karra
Hang in there! I just had that test last week and I'm just now 27 weeks. Rather unsettling. I'm on rest till the end but thank heavens for amazon and the little brown truck 🙂
Thank you all for the prayers and kind comments! I am sure that everything will be fine… As my midwife said, this is just what I do! Still… I will be much happier once I get a little further along.
Patty ~ You will be in my prayers!!
Tina Marie ~ Thank you so much for sharing that with me. My kids will love to hear about that tradition. How neat!
Karen ~ I am so glad to hear that! It is sometimes so hard to tell from pictures.
Karra ~ I haven't pulled our Jesse Tree out yet, but I have the Jesus Tree in my closet and it is about the same size = 28" wide by 36" tall. I think my ornaments are probably about 3" circles. Someone asked me last year to take close ups of all of our ornaments, and if next week isn't too busy I may try to do so. We'll see!
Thank you all for putting up with my "preparing" posts! I always have so much fun with these type of posts, and it really helps me get organized! 😉
I was delighted to discover a few years ago that most (all?) CVS Pharmacies carry chocolate coins year round. They're almost always with all the register candy at the very bottom!
I just received our from the Vermont Christmas Company! We can't wait to use it! You are such an inspiration. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
This is a great post, Jessica! You always find the most beautiful things for celebrating the liturgical year. Thank you for all of the links. You're such a blessing; to your family and your readers.
I've always wanted one of those cloth advent calendars, too. And I love the playmobile St. Nicholas and Angel! My kids would be thrilled to add these to their playmobile toys.
You and the baby continue to be in our family prayers. I know it's not easy to take it easy. 😉
I love your website and I learn so much and get to use your wonderful ideas and creativeness. Thanks for taking the time to share what you do!!!
I don't know if you have this already but I bought the playmobil nuns 4631 for my daughters at:
http://www.amazon.com/Playmobil-4631-Nun/dp/B00064ZDF2/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1320933747&sr=1-1
They are coming from UK but they got them to me in a week. I can't wait to give them to my girls at for Christmas.
Just wanted to share.
Hi Jessica,
I have seen those delightful Playmobil angel and St. Nicholas. How sweet! I wish I knew of them when my son was younger.