I really love this! I made my own advent calendar this year (http://www.hardlyhousewives.com/2011/11/2011-advent-calendar.html) but I love the rustic feel of the branch!

Cute. We do a book advent, buying a bunch of books throughout the year at thrift stores and then wrapping one (or two) up for each day leading up to Christmas. The kids love it-- they're book nerds just like me. :)

Maybe I just have a different definition of simple, but buying, wrapping and hanging 24 different gifts doesn't seem all that simple to me. Not to mention the idea that I'd then be giving my kid 24 gifts BEFORE Christmas day. What ever happened to tearing a link off a paper chain, or opening a little door to find an ornament that gets put away and brought out again next year? While aesthetically beautiful this idea just seems really extravagant to me.

This is beautiful but I agree that 24 presents to open before Christmas could be a little too much. You could adapt it by wrapping books or household items that symbolizes a family activity (cookie cutters, ornaments, crafts supplies, etc). This year we are using a muffin tin advent calendar we made to accompany stories from our children's favorite Bible.

http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-advent-calendar.html

We love it but with all the fun ideas I keep seeing I think we'll have to try something new next year.

Thank you for posting my calendar. I agree that 24 presents is a bit too much. But I must say that the presents are small things that my daughter wants/needs such as pen, paintbrush, beads, candy's for saturday, socks and mittens. So not the most expensive presents:) In Norway this has become more and more a tradition for kids. But I understand your comments. Have a wonderful december!

That is such a pretty Advent color… who wouldn't love to look at a string of gifts!!! My kids make our Advent Calendar each year and this year we made a really quick and easy one, you are welcome to take a look: http://www.se7en.org.za/2011/12/02/se7ens-easy-advent-banner

I think this is very pretty.

This year, I bought books also and rather than wrap them, I've put them in a box and we have 24 numbers to cross off. Each night, my son will pick out 2 books of his choosing for his bedtime read and the left over books will be his Christmas Eve present to look at while relaxing in new PJs. I don't see it as too much work and it's a great way to increase his library. I wanted to avoid sweets and candies before bed.

babyramen: You actually illustrate a great point—that this is a lovely way of giving children those little things they want/need that might not otherwise be so greatly appreciated on Christmas morning. Gifts like crayons, mittens, and such would mean so much more if made up to be so fanciful.

Thanks for the idea, and for your gracious attitude in the face of our criticism!

Happy holidays to you!

We do advent gifts in the advent calender--but then, we scale back on Christmas morning. Nothing about advent giving says you also have to have a huge blowout on Christmas. Children (and all of us) do better when we have time to appreciate everything we get, rather than a huge feast.

My brother and I received little gifts on an advent calendar my grandma had knitted for us. My mom kept it simple and small — pretty pencils, erasers, hair clips, socks, or really little toys, so it was not too overwhelming for her. I loved it so much, and it was probably the only month I jumped out of bed in the mornings with enthusiasm. ;) My mom/grandma are Finnish so it definitely must be a Scandinavian tradition!

Agreed - this seems to be a lot of work to be called simple. But it is such a beautiful piece to have in the home. Good job to Hanne.