Welcome to my new tradition for my children – the Christmas box. Two of my sons are away at college and grad school. It will be the second year they aren’t with us during Advent. I decided to send them some Christmas cheer to have in their rooms until they’re home with us at Christmastime.
Advent calendar
Some of our Advent and Christmas traditions have changed as the kids get older, and some have remained the same. One constant is the Advent calendar. I had one as a kid, and I wanted my kids to have the same memory. Usually we go with a glittery advent calendar. I think the boys will thank me for finding a non-glittery one filled with chocolate.
Christmas tree
Since they won’t be here for the house decorating, I’m sending some decorating their way. I found a Christmas tree with ornaments in the Target Dollar Spot. I think the trees were $5. They’re only about 10 to 12 inches high, big enough for cheer and small enough for a desk or dresser.
Other Decorations
Target also had small Christmas decorations shaped like wooden blocks in the Dollar Spot, perfect for a desk or dresser. I think these were $3 or $5. I’m kicking myself for not grabbing tinsel or a small set of fairy lights for the trees. I don’t think the Dollar Spot has the fairy lights, though Michael’s Craft Store may have them with the Christmas village items.
Food
What is Christmas time without candy canes and cookies? I love the smaller candy canes because my boys can hand them out to friends needing some holiday cheer. Once I figure out how to properly package homemade cookies to prevent breakage, I will be sending them to my boys.
St. Nicholas Day
My next package will be for St. Nicholas Day, one of my favorite Saint Days during the Advent season. For those not familiar with the saint, St. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra during the 3rd century. He lived during the time when the Roman Empire outlawed Christianity, leaving to persecutions and martyrdoms. Coming from a wealthy family, St. Nicholas lost his family while young and dedicated his life to serving God with his inheritance. St. Nicholas became so widely revered after his death that thousands of churches in the East and West were named after him.
While my kids were growing up, we decided to include St. Nicholas Day in our Advent preparation. The night before, the kids would set out their shoes by our fireplace. In the morning, they would find the shoes filled with “gold” coins after the story of St. Nicholas providing a dowry for 3 poor girls. While I can’t be there to fill my sons’ shoes with gold coins, I can send them via mail, hopefully with some Christmas cookies.
2 dogs and a house 
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