Growing up, I didn’t know much about the season of Advent and what it meant. I heard the word, but it wasn’t something my family observed, nor did my church talk much about it. I certainly couldn’t have known how important the observation of Advent would become when I had my own family.

advent – ad·vent/ˈadˌvent : noun – 1. the arrival of a notable person, thing or event; 2. the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

Webster

When Clark was two, a friend of mine shared something with me that our family has grown to love and look forward to every Christmas. We were in a “mom group” together when she told me about a family-friendly Advent curriculum that her mom had written. Over the last ten years, we’ve made it our own and do what works for our family. The time we’ve spent together on Advent nights has created some of my favorite holiday memories with my children, plus I feel like this tradition has helped keep us stay grounded and focused on Jesus during this incredibly busy season.

Of course we keep it simple and doable, but also super meaningful for families of all ages and religions. I put together a video with all the details and FREE download. Check it out here!

If you and your family use our Advent plan this year, I’d love to know how much you love it. Comment below or send me a message/email. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy spending this time with your family as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

Observing Advent each December is a tradition that Adam and I started with Clark when he was about two years old. We came up with a weekly routine that works for our family and the kids look forward to it each week leading up to Christmas Day. It’s helped them to learn Jesus’ birth story and also helps us stay focused on what Christmas is all about without getting too wrapped up in all the extra stuff of the season. Last year I shared our Advent tradition/plan as a FREE download that hundreds of Bloom Insiders used with their own families. I’ll link it here if you’re interested.

In addition to our family Advent night, the kids also have a small gift to open each day in December as we countdown to Christmas. Our Advent calendar is no longer sold, but I’m linking some adorable Advent calendars I found online and love here in case you need one.

When Clark was our only child, it was easy to stuff the pockets with one small treat or trinket. Once Penelope was born, it became a little tough to fit two little Advent prizes in each pocket on our calendar. Last year, Daisy was still a little young to understand Advent at all, but this year I knew I needed a plan for three! Because Advent calendars generally have very small pockets or drawers, I thought you may run into the same problem so… enter my Gift Tag Trivia! It’s so simple, but I know will be a lot of fun for kids of all ages. The idea is basic:

1. Purchase Advent gifts, any size you like, wrap them and place them under the tree, or on a special table, or in a basket… wherever you like.
2. Print my gift tags and trivia questions. Cut them out.
3. Place one gift tag on each wrapped Advent present.
4. Place one trivia question in each pocket/drawer on your Advent calendar.
5. Each day, your child/children will answer the trivia question and open the Advent present with the corresponding gift tag. (e.g. Trivia question: “What is the name of Jesus’ mother?” Child finds the Advent present with the “Mary” gift tag, and opens it!

DOWNLOAD THE GIFT TAG TRIVA PRINTABLE HERE

If you and your family don’t observe Advent by exchanging gifts, you can use Gift Tag Trivia for Christmas gifts of any kind. Here’s an idea:

1. Print and cut out gift tags and trivia questions.
2. Use gift tags to label Christmas gifts.
3. Place the trivia question/questions in an envelope that corresponds to the gift/gifts for each person. Label envelope with his/her name.
4. Present each person with an envelope containing the trivia question/questions that correspond with their gift/gifts.

I hope you and your family have tons of fun with these and they bring you joy! If you use them this Christmas, be sure to tag @bloomco.interiors so I can share it!

Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo