O Tannenbaum

Well, the tree is up!
Let’s take a look at her:

I like how the red pops out from the tree.  I found the cardinal tree topper at Pottery Barn last year.

My faux-kitty cat sits under the tree. She promises never to climb the tree.

My vintage German ornament

 One of my favorite ornaments, Steiff’s “Kitten in a Mitten”.

Snowden, who is an animated snowman, sits and plays music in front of the tree.

Yes, I have a fake tree.  It’s hard finding real trees in Southern California… that look good.

So I settled for a fake one for now.

I love having the tree on… it provides such nice ambient light.

isn’t it pretty?

I link up with The Scoop! Visit Confessions of a Plate Addict blog,Tablescape Thursday at ‘Between Naps on the Porch’, Wow us Wednesdays! at Savvy Southern Style, Open House Party at no minimalist here,Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been at The Tablescaper, and life of the party at the grant life, and the style sisters, and Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard cottage

Advent Calendars

Do you have an Advent calendar?  Advent calendars are traced back to the 1800s.  Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many churches.  In 1839, the first public Advent wreath was hung in Hamburg, Germany.  In 1902, the first printed Advent calendar was made.  After that, each year the calendar evolved eventually into a calendar with 24 little doors.

The practice ended during WW2 to save paper.  After the war, printing resumed.  The traditional advent calendars only revealed a picture behind their doors, but soon began to include chocolate and toys.

First, here’s my advent calendar:

Yep, my advent calendar is a gingerbread house!

I fill mine with mini ornaments.  When I take the decorations down, I place the ornaments randomly back inside.  That way, every year I am surprised because I never remember what they all look like!

Let’s look at some Advent calendars!

an advent tree with presents hidden

A nativity scene for kids

many calendars take the shape of trees

this one is also a music box

Do you recognize this one? It’s from Christmas Vacation

a homemade advent calendar made from baby socks

another DIY

a wooden one

a traditional one full of (waxy) chocolate

a gourmet truffle advent calendar by Moonstruck chocolates in Portland

how cute is this train one?

Another wooden one, with all of its doors exposed

a cute little xmas truck

In Germany, some of the towns actually have building size Advent calendars!!

Here are two pictures of some really big calendars!

Isn’t this cute?

another cute real life calendar!

Alright, enough blogging, I need to go see what’s behind the door of my advent calendar!  

Hope you enjoyed another post on my “25 days of Christmas” marathon!

I’ve linked up with The Scoop! Visit Confessions of a Plate Addict blog,Tablescape Thursday at ‘Between Naps on the Porch’, Wow us Wednesdays! at Savvy Southern Style, Open House Party at no minimalist here,Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been at The Tablescaper, and a stroll through life inspire me tuesday’s.