'Tis the Season for Giving

I feel like sort of a slouch. I enjoy reading lots of Catholic moms blogs and gleaning ideas and even lesson plans from them, but I haven't really given anything back. Well, it's not much, but I'll show you how we celebrate Advent and decorate for Christmas. Keep in mind that we are renting a house right now, so the "decor" isn't what I would like it to be, but it's the best I can do for now. So, in the spirit of giving rather than receiving (taking, downloading, printing, whatever you want to call it) here goes:

Here's the tree and a few select ornaments, including a Chrismon. The kids and I have made different Chrismons over the years, for our own tree and as gifts for others. Dear sons #2 and #3 decided to decorate the tree themselves yesterday. I walked into the living room and they had over 1/2 of the ornaments already hanging on the tree. Thankfully, the lights were already up, but the beads I use for garland were not. It would've been too difficult to try to hang and drape beads "just so" with the ornaments already there, so I reverted to one of my favorite looks--horizontal wired ribbons. I think they're beautiful. Dear hubby campaigned for tinsel (some people call them icicles--I just call them tacky). I actually relented and bought a package, but dreaded putting them on the tree. Thankfully, the tinsel got "vetoed" by the kids, especially College girl, who has decided for some reason that she gets to choreograph our holidays to conform to her memories--or how she thinks her memories should be.

This is our Advent Wreath with the Advent Candle I made last year. And our "Jesse Tree". I have a really nice felt one that I made a few years ago which we normally use. But I was given this one (and another one by my mother-in-law) and decided to do something different. The kids can color the symbols on these and the readings are a little different, so they get more bible exposure--always a good thing. We are just stapling these symbols onto pink and purple ribbons. This one pictured is 3 year old princess' "tree". She likes to use a lot of pink:)

Here are pics of some of my angel collection and one of our nativity sets, our "good deed" manger (which looks like it could use some more filling--BTW those are muslin strips) and our matching stockings, hand-knitted by my husband's Aunt Nancy.

We have two snowstorms coming in the next few days, so I will just relax in my freshly decorated house, read Christmas books, bake a batch of cookies or two and address my Christmas cards....no, I do not have all my shopping completed, or ANY wrapping...it will get done...it always does...never early....never smoothly...but I'm convinced perfection is overrated anyway. Please don't burst my bubble.

A blessed Advent to all!