Your Personal Advent Highlights?

Dear users, dear designers,
what can’t you do without during the Advent season?

Home-baked cookies and gingerbread

Best regards, Inge

Good question.... It’s always nice to have it all, but sometimes something falls through—though it hasn’t really been a big deal so far.
We used to love wandering through the big Christmas markets, but they just got more and more crowded and less enjoyable, so we stopped going.
I do like cookies in general—at least two or three kinds—but I don’t need them; I’m not that crazy about sweets. My husband, on the other hand, is a big fan—he gets spekulatius (store-bought) and vanilla crescent cookies (homemade).
I’m already looking forward to my first glass of mulled wine; it’s been too warm so far, but now that it’s gotten colder, it’ll taste just right.
Of course, we need some decorations—candlelight is a must, but we have that here all year round, so it’s not specifically for Advent.
And Advent calendars—yes, that’s it—we absolutely have to have one! I have the crocheted calendar from LaCritza again, just like last year; my husband has one with chocolates; and then we also got one with jams—what a lucky break.

The Advent wreath is an absolute must—traditionally decorated with red candles. 

So, during Advent, these are absolute must-haves: gingerbread cookies (whether homemade or store-bought), mulled wine, butter speculoos, colorful lights everywhere, candied almonds, Christmas music, and candles.
Oh, and of course, an Advent calendar (oh dear, I haven’t bought or made one yet this year).

I’ve already tried strawberry punch and blueberry mulled wine with a shot at the Christmas market (yesterday and today after work—met up with my aunt).

Have a wonderful 1st Advent, everyone!

My family! I’m always happy when we can be together.
Other than that, baking and eating cookies—that’s not so important. Decorating the apartment. Watching Silent Night on DVD. It’s about the little donkey Abihb who carries Mary to Bethlehem—or rather, the Christmas story from his perspective. The story is so cute.
Miracle on 34th Street is a must, too.
A winter walk, followed by tea, candles, and cookies, and reading a story aloud.
Warm regards, Marita 

Crafting during the pre-Christmas season and putting up Christmas decorations with my grandchildren. They still have that look of wonder in their eyes when they rummage through the decoration boxes and discover treasures. Everything that’s accumulated over the years is seen in a whole new light through children’s eyes.

Warm regards, Ina

Homemade gingerbread is a must—I discovered a simple recipe a few days ago.

I prefer Christmas markets that are on the smaller side.

Soon I’ll be setting up my little Christmas village again.
It’s already a tradition.

Shortbread cookies (homemade, of course), an Advent wreath, and Grandpa’s old handmade candle arch has to go in the living room window—that’s when Advent really begins :-))

Oh yeah… a little bit of subtle decor, just here and there.
Christmas markets and the like aren’t really my thing—way too many people. You won’t find me on the city streets or in shopping malls either.
My “Advent highlight” this year is my dog… because the way things look right now, we’re going to have a few more paws joining us between Christmas and New Year’s (even if it’s unplanned)… Starting next week, an ultrasound will show whether or not that’s the case. But everything points to “yes”....  

Oh, Steffi, this is going to be exciting—and a lot of work. All the best to you, the mom-to-be, and of course to the little ones.
With love, Marita