Advent -- More than Just Waiting to Get More Stuff

When I was a kid, I remember advent calendars with the little chocolates inside the punch out doors. 

Right now, we are doing a cute little advent calendar that we got from church. The kids choose a present box, read the verse that's on it and add it to a little tree. The focus is, of course, that the greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus. 

But, I really wonder if my 2 and 4 year old really see it that way when they see the pile of presents getting bigger and bigger. 

There are plenty of amazing ideas for advent calendars on Pinterest.

Most advent calendars, when it comes down to it, just seem like countdowns... countdowns to the day that we get more stuff. 

Last night at a little toddler party, a friend of mine was talking about an idea that I think is too fabulous not to share! So, thanks, Lindsay : )

What if, instead of getting something (like a chocolate or a little gift) every day of advent, we gave something? Everyday, find something that we ALREADY OWN and put it into a giving box. 

The month could start off with giving non-perishable items from your cupboard. The middle of the month, could be clothes that we don't wear. The end of the advent calendar could be adding toys and other items a bit more difficult to part with. 

All of a sudden, the focus is giving and not getting. AND... AND you get to simply your life a bit.

How brilliant!