Family Traditions & A Reader Request

And just like that, we're in the middle of the first week of December!  I hope all of you are able to take some time and enjoy this holiday season.  Have you started decorating?  Are you already finished?  Do you go all out or keep it simple?  Either way this time of year is about reflecting, appreciating what you have and decking the halls with joy.  I've shared with you before that Halloween isn't really my thing, but Christmas?!  I love it!  Everything about it!  The true meaning of Christmas, hot chocolate, festive music and a lit Christmas tree are a few of my favorite things!  Brian and I are about to share our 4th wedding anniversary, more on that next week, but every year we're making the holidays more special by including past family traditions while mixing in new ones.  An advent calendar is something we both are accustomed too, like I'm sure many of you are!  Last month I introduced you to Wheel & Basket and their Stocking Advent Calendar, if you missed it, click here.

The response from so many of you was amazing!  My mom & I truly appreciate the support and positive feedback.  A reader, named Kim, sent us the sweetest of notes!  And after she received her set, she shared some pics:

Kim has a two and a half year old daughter and decided to fill each stocking with a mix of small toys...

And (my absolute favorite idea EVER) ~ she included meaningful family & friend activity cards:

I LOVE this!  Again, isn't this what the season is about?!  So, great job Kim at creating simple, meaningful & fun memories for you and your family!  I may show up at your door for that hot apple cider!  I moved our advent calendar to the kitchen recently ~ mainly to include Rawley, he gets a treat a day...

 but I loved Kim's idea so much, we'll be including some activity cards in our advent calendar this year as well!

Do you have an advent calendar?  What goodies do you include with it?

_______________________________________________________________

Now this brings me to my next request, I know, I ask a lot of you!  January will mark our 1 year blogiversary ~ to give back to you guys I want to make the month a fun one!  So, I'm asking for a bit of feedback.  What would be most beneficial for you as readers?  Organization posts?  More Vintage & Antique Finds?  More How To's?  More room design?  I would love love love some requests ~ I won't make any promises, but I'd love to hear what you're thinking.  Feel free to leave a comment below ~ I know some of you have been unable to leave comments, I'm still looking into that problem, so sorry for the inconvenience!  Also, feel free to email me at michelle@ironandtwine.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!  And a BIG thanks in advance!