Printable Advent Calendar

Advent is upon us. The season of anticipation, of waiting, for the Hope of the world to come.

That's why I get behind Advent calendars so much. Because I think there's much to be said about really soaking in the anticipation. Counting down the days until we celebrate the day the weary world did rejoice and gets to again and again. 

I started dreaming up this design last year because I knew the boys would be at good ages to

participate. So our days alternate between a Scripture reading and a Christmas activity. 

What I love about it is that you can totally make it your own. Write down whatever traditions are important for your family!

 I had fun thinking up ideas to write down but the Scriptures are so important to me too. 

I'm thinking Grady will really be able to soak in the real meaning of Christmas this year and

that makes my heart so excited!

 Since this Advent Calendar is really for the boys, I put it right int he heart of their playroom.

Their own little tree if you will. 

String them together like a banner, washi tape them to the wall like a tree, or just keep them in a little basket at the breakfast table! Sky's the limit with these cards!

Wanting one for your home? From now until December 1, I'm offering a printable version of 

this calendar FREE with any $10+ purchase in the Honeysuckle shop!

In notes to seller at checkout, please leave the phrase ADVENT CALENDAR to have this emailed to you after purchase!

Here's to celebrating the anticipation!

the gift of dinner + free printable

Before you have a baby, you're kind of oblivious to some of the things that go on in the baby world.

I know I was.

But then my friends started having babies and I started receiving meal train requests.

Before you have a baby, it might not naturally occur to you how difficult it can be to actually prepare a dinner with a newborn around. It wasn't until I had a baby of my own that I realized how truly helpful it is to receive meals after your baby arrives.

My sweet friend Kerry set up a meal train for me and for the whole month after Grady was born we received a meal every other day.

This was SUCH a huge blessing for this overwhelmed and overtired mama.

Just knowing there was one less thing I needed to worry about while we adjusted to our new life with Grady helped ease my mind. Cause the Lord knows we would have eaten fast food for those first weeks for sure.

We received absolutely delicious meals and really appreciated the time and effort that went into prepare them for us.

I always struggle with what to make when I'm bring someone a meal - so here are a few of the meals we received (not the actual recipes) and loved. 

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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Enchiladas

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Chicken Parmesan

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Chicken Salad

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Pesto Pasta

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White Chicken Chili

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I want to thank everyone who brought us meals that first month - it was such a blessing and we are grateful to have such good friends.

Because I know how much it meant to me, I want to encourage you to bless your new mama friends with a meal! I've created a free printable that you can use to attach to your meal so you a) don't forget to give instructions, b) in case you just need to drop the meal off, or c) if you just want to make it a little bit cuter.

The file is designed to print out on a regular piece of cardstock. I've designed it so you can print it in grayscale and save that colored ink (yeah, I'm frugal like that.) There are two on a page, so just cut the page in half and you have one to save for later!

You can download it and print it for yourself right here.

the art of a beautifully wrapped gift

I believe in beautifully wrapped gifts.

For me, it's as much a part of the gift as the actual gift itself.

It doesn't take much - just a little extra time and energy.

But the end result is always worth it.

Basic supplies: wrapping papers, ribbons, tags, embellishments

A basic pretty wrapping paper is your foundation.

A coordinating paper as a band helps to add interest.

It also serves as a base for your ribbon/twine.

Simple tissue paper flowers make a great center embellishment.

And a couple tags complete the look.

You can always add an extra card if you wish.

But for 5 extra minutes, you get to give a gift like this!

handmade gifts

So, I know it's after the fact, but I had to wait until all my gifts were distributed before I could share a couple of the handmade Christmas gifts I made this year. So, if you like these ideas, tuck them away for a birthday or for next Christmas!

Coffee Cup Cozy

I made this coffee cup cozy for my friend Katie, a stylish mom-on-the-go who loves coffee and recently got a new keurig. 

First, I cut the sleeve off an old sweater.

Since only one end was nicely finished and the end that I cut was apt to fray, I decided to sew a piece of my favorite vintage fabric onto the unfinished end to help it stay intact. I sewed a straight line down each side.

And then I slipped it onto a white plastic coffee cup. Perfectly personalized for my friend.

Vintage Dish Towel

While thrifting, I found a couple really fun vintage tablecloths for $1. Reason for the low price? They were stained/had holes.

Knowing they still had potential, I snatched them up anyways. So I decided to make several dish towels out of them. First off, I took a dish towel I already had to give me an outline for what size I wanted to make them.

I didn't take any pictures of the sewing process because it's simply ironing over your unfinished edge and then sewing a straight line.

Out of one table cloth, I made 5 dish towels.

I was even able to keep one for myself.

Stained tablecloths are not a lost cause.

Vintage Tin Candles

I know already shared this one, but it was part of the handmade gifts I made this year so I thought I'd include it in the group. Check out this post for the how-to.

Did you attempt any handmade gifts this year? Do tell.

the lost art

This holiday season I decided to participate in The Lovely Package Exchange. I had so much fun participating in The Collection Swap that I couldn't wait to do it again. My swap partner also owns a vintage etsy shop, which makes me oh-so-excited.

One of the requirements, besides the obvious purchasing a gift for your swap partner, is to send it in a beautifully wrapped package. Both elements are right up my alley. I believe a beautiful wrap job is just as much a part of the gift; it takes thought and care. Sadly, I think it's becoming a lost art in the world of gift bags.

So now I'm collecting (p)inspiration for what I want my lovely package to look like:

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Just try and tell me you don't want to go wrap a package...or fifteen.