I've always loved an advent calendar. It feels like a warm hug around the holiday season, when I fill it with intention.
An advent calendar can also feel like just another thing to do + maintain. Instagram + Pinterest give us the impression that everyone is having so many magical experiences which easily translates into pressure to do more + more.
I'm advocating for something different.
An advent calendar can also feel like just another thing to do + maintain. Instagram + Pinterest give us the impression that everyone is having so many magical experiences which easily translates into pressure to do more + more.
I'm advocating for something different.
 |  |
i made this little booklet for an advent calendar workshop i gave this week (+ for you) :)
This is a great time to take a moment to think about how we want this holiday season to feel. We may be used to thinking about how we want our people (children, families, parents, partner, friends) to feel. We want to think about that too, but first let's consider how we want to feel. Maybe come up with 3 to 5 words or phrases. When you think about the holiday season ahead how do you want it to feel to you?
 |  |
For some of us, our minds will go toward what we don’t want to feel first + that’s such a good starting point. Those thoughts can provide a contrast that moves us toward words that embody intention rather than dread.
Next, let's think about the people that celebrate with us. How do we want our people to feel this holiday season?
 |  |
When it comes to putting an advent calendar (or a holiday gathering) together, the trick is to combine these two priorities. It's impossible for me to know how those questions have been answered, but my hope is that this one thought is a relevant offering in that direction: simple pleasures.
 |  |
I love to think of holidays as bringers of delight + wonder + peace + hope + connection...and my desire is that we can all experience this. Simplicity just might be the key.
The things that bring joy to a small child still create delight in us as adults, if they have space to be noticed + savored. Things like taking a moonlit walk, singing loud in the car or noticing when the snowflake streetlights come on for the first time still bring me such pleasure.
 |  |
This holiday season doesn’t have to be every single day making cookies or bringing a cake to the neighbors or going ice-skating. It can be fun to sprinkle a few of those activities in, but we have all winter to do these things. I've sent Happy New Year cards instead of Christmas cards, when I haven’t gotten them done in time. Valentine's Day works too! :)
An advent calendar can be as simple as 25 hershey's kisses in a bowl...one for each day. It can be 25 hand written things appreciated about the recipient (extra points for silly) clipped to a ribbon. It can be a little star that moves along a path of numbers.
My simple offering is to ask: What are the simplest ways that I can offer delight + ease (or whatever your priorities are) this holiday season?
Whether an already-made advent calendar is waiting to be filled or a new one is about to be made, fill it with simple pleasures + prioritize the feels.
Love,
Jane
