Do you have an advent calendar? Did you have one as a child? The first one I remember had the Christmas story, one part behind each window.
Then, when my children were in high school, the German Club sold German advent calendars. Behind each window is a small piece of chocolate. If you haven't seen these, they are an easy way for children to count down the days of December.
Now, I buy 5 of them for my grandchildren, ages 4 to 17. I can get them at World Market, and I've seen them at a couple of other stores. But ONLY before December 1. Because some of my grandchildren are young, and have a little difficulty controlling the impulse to open more than one window a day, they are hung near the ceiling. (My son and daughter-in-law are both tall.) The children were so excited when we took the calendars over to them at Thanksgiving. Then, this year, we bought one for our daughter-in-law also. Usually our son doesn't care for sweets. But, next year, I think we're going to have to find 7. But what a fun way to have a small treat each night, and quietly anticipate December 24.
