Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 16

How long has it been since we've had a white Christmas? The way the weather is shaping up in some parts of the country I'd put money on us having one this year - finger's crossed!

Behind door No. 16 are...

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... These three adorable wee snow men! They look very at home in their snowy surroundings. I'm hoping hoping hoping that I'll be able to build some of my own very soon.

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 15

Today's Advent offering is rather a new Christmas tradition for me. I love using them as decorations for my Christmas tree but we never had them when I was a child.

Behind door No. 15 is...

A nice big pot full of Candy Canes! Now I have to admit I'd love them to taste like Strawberries and cream or Cranberries might be a little more festive, but peppermint is still quite Christmassy I suppose. I always used to make peppermint creams at Christmas come to think of it. Anyway here's a link to 10 fun things to do with your leftover candy canes - if you haven't eaten them all up!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 14

So which do you prefer - putting up your Christmas tree as soon as the supermarkets start selling selection boxes, or leaving it as late as Ebenezer Scrooge?? I try and refrain from putting mine up to early but my parents would be happy enough to leave it 'till a couple of days before Christmas. Bah Humbug!

Behind door number 14 is...

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...the Christmas Tree! Apparently the tradition of decorating a Fir tree at Christmas dates back to 16th Century Germany & Livonia where trees were adorned with candles and foods meant as gifts for local Children.

I am so enjoying having a real tree this year. For the past few years I've had a nasty fold up one - handy in not having to sweep up the pine needles but I've really missed that amazing real tree smell. You really can't beat it. I think a living tree will have to go on my Grown Up wish list!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 13

I am honored. This year I have been given two extremely important Christmas tasks. I am responsible (gulp!) for making the Christmas cake (double gulp!) and the Christmas pudding(tripple gulp!)! It's getting a little late to start making them now so I'm gonna get cracking with the cake tomorrow. My one gripe is that our house is full of spoilsport marzipan haters so I've had to promise to omit my favorite part!

Anyway - behind door No. 13 is...


...a lovely Christmas pud or two by Bugs and Fishes! Laura has the tutorial for these lovely felty ornaments, as well as lots of other Christmas makes over on her blog. Now I'm off to shop for ingredients for the real thing. Wish me luck!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 12

It's been a very long time since I've done any kid crafting. I don't think I've done any since I was a kid myself. I remember making advent calendars out of egg cartons and tissue paper, and Santas out of toilet roll tubes and cotton wool. I'm going to have to borrow someone's kids if I want to do any this year! However if you have any wee people who enjoy paper crafting take a look behind door No 12:

Fantastic Toys sell PDF printables - how sweet is their Candy Cane Gingerbread Cottage Playset Printable?? I remember being thrilled with a paper doll cutout book I got for Christmas one year and it looks like they're back in vogue now. I dare say they'd make a lovely mantle top set for us grown ups too! Either way they're well worth a browse.

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 11

There is nothing better than a real Christmas tree. For a couple of years I've had a fake one and even though it does the job, it looks fine and it saves cutting down a tree it really doesn't compare. I absolutely adore the smell of a real tree, and for me it's not truly Christmas until you loll into the living room sleepy eyed of a morning and inhale that beautiful evergreen scent.

So today, behind door No. 11 is...

This beautiful Christmas Elf by Wee Wonderfuls. Imagine this little cutie hanging from your tree! I love the little mini tinsel Hilary has on her tree too. You can never have too much tinsel in my book!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 10

Well the weekend is fast approaching and it's time to put up the Christmas tree! There are so many handmade decorations out there to buy and so many tutorials to make your own we really are spoiled for choice!

Behind door No. 10 is...

...Lizzybeth's Felties. And she managed to whip up this lovely lot in only 3 days. Phew that's some speed stitching! There are lots of felt goodies in both her etsy and folksy shops so click on over to see!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 09

I have been happily hooking away this past few days making crocheted Christmas prezzies. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself actually. Snuggled up in front of a wood burner between lovely balls of wool watching Christmas DVDs. I even have a new friend overseeing my work but I'll introduce you to him later.

But sticking to today's crochet theme, behind door No. 9 is...

... Lucy's lovely star baubles. I love the little bells on the star points - how sweet! If you fancy adorning your tree with these little cuties, pop on over to Attic24 where she has very kindly posted the tutorial for us. Happy hooking!