Advent Bag

[ebb]

[Level - Public]

As requested by scarybex, I'm going to list on here what I've had each day so far in my advent bag. My wonderful, magical and barmy Mum does one each year for me (in addition to a Christmas stocking). Each day, I have to hunt through the bag and open the present with that days date on it.

As my sister gets largely the same things (but not necessarily in the same date order) each year, I've put it behind this cut so it doesn't spoil the fun for her.

1st December - a little Santa decoration (soft and plushie and about 1 1/2" in length - very cute and now on my desk at work)
2nd December - two mini 'After Eight' chocolates
3rd December - a 1 portion bag of Columbian ground coffee
4th December - a square chocolate tree decoration (wrapped in santa foil)
5th December - a sample size of Hugo Boss Woman edt perfume
6th December - a mini Mars bar

I've been very good and haven't cheated - some days it's a freebie from a mag/purchase (she buys quite a lot of nice make-up and nice make-up people tend to have regular freebies and she knows I'm a huge Dior fan), sometimes it's a little gift that she has randomly seen (probably last year! she is ever so organised about these things), sometimes a little chocolate. More often than not, they're silly little gifts that haven't cost a lot but whatever I get, it means a lot to me because it gives me a moment to smile and think of her and how wonderful, thoughtful and kind she is. It's all about the time and love and care that goes into it, not what I open, and it's one of the things I look forward to most each year.

We always used to get those chocolate calendars each year until one year she didn't bother and we were ever so upset. I mean, is 16 really too old to get such things? AND she EVEN suggested not doing stockings each year! Well my sister and I were so aghast that she did a special advent bag for each of us the next year which, as we were living at home at the time, were placed on top of the bureau in the hall-way downstairs. Every morning during December, we'd seen if 'Santa' had been on one of his warm-up trips (it takes a lot of practise to get it all to dovetail you know) and lo and behold, there was something different each day. Well of course, we grew up and moved out and were fearful that such wonderful silliness would stop - but thankfully, Mum realises it's more important than ever these days, so as the end of November approaches I get rather excited and start to look out for this years.

So Mum - you rock and I love you.

Comments

[theperkygoth.livejournal.com]

Aren't family wonderful sometimes! I still get a stocking from Santa every year and he even knows to leave one each for bellfuss and steveotep

[ebb.livejournal.com]

I'm tremendously lucky. She's kind and generous all year - I frequently get little 'snails' visiting me (letters and packages) and it's incredibly difficult to throw away envelopes decorated with stickers, hole punched with fancy shapes and embossed ... but if every one was kept, there'd be no room for devalmont!

[scarybex.livejournal.com]

Cool, I'm so going to do this if I have any kids.

[ebb.livejournal.com]

Actually it's a great idea for a friend who needs perking and who finds this time of year difficult - because it's little silly presents, it doesn't cost a huge amount but can really cheer someone up rather than a larger single pressie on the 25th.

Who needs the kids part? :D

[min-ki.livejournal.com]

Isn't mum great! And thanks for the cut x

[ebb.livejournal.com]

Oh! If you're coming tomorrow night, we're off to see Rich being a rock star by the way at a local pub (by local I mean we can walk within 20 / 25 minutes).

[meatina.livejournal.com]

That's such a lovely idea, I remember you mentioning it last year. Last year I did a stocking (well, a decorated pillowcase, ever tried to put a selection box in a stocking?) for sntnl.It was full of silly things like a clockwork monkey, a ten-colour biro, some Christmas shower gel etc. I'm doing it again this year, because it's fun, and fun is indeed part of Christmas.
Actually, this year I've done stockings for my sister & her partner too. You're right about not needing children for this!
Also, no, 16 isn't too old for an advent calender. We have one each in this house, and an advent candle!