Holiday Head Start #3- Advent Calendars

Halloween will be here in a week. Typically, the week after, everyone changes from pumpkin spice mode into holiday mode. This is why I began this series early...so you can get a head start on some popular items that are likely to sell out before you can say "Thanksgiving." Today I am sharing some fun advent calendars with you. We have a tradition in my house that has caused me to wake on a few nights in a panic because I forgot to leave out a little something special. From December 1st up until the 24th, I leave a special little treat next to the boys' calendars. Many advent calendars have a tiny space for a small piece of candy, but I always wanted to leave a little book, or something else,which would not fit inside. That's when I decided to just leave the gifts in front of their calendars for them  to find each morning. We've been doing this for years and the kids always enjoyed it.This is the way we've always done it but that doesn't mean you have to do the same.  Whether you like to add little gifts or enjoy a little taste of something sweet hidden behind the doors, there is a calendar to fit in with every tradition.

   I'm starting with the big one this year. This calendar was released by Disney in early August and sold out immediately. I've been looking all over for it and found the spot where you can pre-order it for November delivery. If this interests you  and your little ones, order it right away! It is hard to say how many they have to go around and if it will be widely available. What I like about this one is that it has a little book for each day of the countdown,with all your favorite characters, so it is not only fun, it encourages reading as well. I am ordering a few for the little guys in our family.
  

These are great for the train fans in your family. Each day a new mini train is waiting to be unveiled behind a door. A few new holiday designs round out the lineup of familiar characters that have been loved for years. We've had a few of these in our house and they are always a hit!

You can always count on Melissa & Doug for fun,education toys for children, so naturally, they have an advent calendar for the 3-7 age group. This tree comes with an inspirational poem on the back as well as 25 magnets for the kids to attach to their tree each day.
  

If I had a dollar for all of the Little People characters and toys we've had over the years, well, let's say it would really add up! I'm a huge fan of this line from Fisher-Price and their advent calendar is perfect for the younger set. It is filled with fun characters including Santa himself, Mrs. Claus and a reindeer! Toddlers will play with these characters long after the holidays end.
 

If you know me ,you know I'm an avid reader and a big fan of children's literature,so when I found this one, I fell in love. No big bells and whistles ,but instead gorgeous illustrations hide behind each door. If your child loves Eric Carle books(and really, who doesn't?) this may be the perfect calendar for you this year.
  

Gingerbread...I love anything that has to do with gingerbread. How cute is this? You assemble (which can be a great family project)  then fill the drawers with little treats. It even has a place to personalize with your child's name. Love it.
 

Naturally,Playmobil always has an assortment of fun calendars. This one has a bunch of forest friends ,but there are many others to choose from.
 

If your child loves to create, Play-Doh has you covered.

If your kids prefer edibles, Hershey is offering three different calendars this year.
Kisses

Minis

Reeses 

If you have little ones, Step 2 offers a fun calendar that can be used for a few years and you decide what goes in all of the numbered drawers.

Of course, I can't forget Legos when posting about advent calendars. You can see more of those calendars here in my post about all things Lego.

 

Hopefully, I've given you a few new options for this year! Have fun counting down the days!

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Amazon Finds

Today's post includes some of my favorite fun Amazon finds for Thanksgiving tables. I've included some ideas for both the adults and the kids. Some little, festive touches that add some fall flare to your tables!

I love this brown plaid table runner from Hester & Cook,and have some fun ideas for using it. These runners come in other colors so there is basically something for every table.

I love Mud Pie products. They are simple enough for impromptu gatherings , yet special enough for holiday celebrations. When I found this, I had to get it.

Naturally,I fell in love with this platter as well.

Throughout the fall, I love to make dinners a little extra special. These fall placemats do just that. They are made of paper and come in the form of a pad. You just tear out as many as you need. I have them for a variety of different occasions.Definitely a favorite of mine.

If that one is too busy for you, here is another simpler pattern.

These are adorable for a children's table.

These banners are a fun way to decorate the kid's room for fall or even to hang from the edges of the kid's Thanksgiving table. So cute!

Activity placemats are a great way to entertain the little ones while the adults are preparing for the big meal. Here are a few of the ones I like. This one has puzzles and coloring..just add the crayons!

The young artists in your family will enjoy these.

Well, those are my  Amazon finds this week. Hopefully they will help you get a head start on your Thanksgiving plans! Have a great weekend!

** Here is the link for the turkey placemat at the top of this page. Turkey placemat
** This post contains affiliate links. 

Holiday Head Start #2-Pajamas

  

One of my favorite seasonal traditions is buying holiday pajamas for my kids.When they were little, we always bought them the same holiday pattern and left them on their beds Christmas Eve. Santa would leave them a note telling them to wear their new pjs that night and they'd get so excited. It was something I truly looked forward to each holiday season. After many years I've learned that it is wise to purchase them early because many families share this same tradition. Today, I am sharing some of the latest holiday pajamas for kids, and encourage you not to wait if this is something you are interested in. I remember a few years when I thought I'd go back and purchase them after Halloween and they were sold out of whatever size I needed.

   The first choice is an obvious one..Hanna Andersson. My boys spent many a Christmas in their famous striped long johns and I loved every minute of it! Here are a few of my favorites from their collection this year.

Trains

Grinch

Christmas Trees

Eight Nights

Gingerbread

 

Hanna Andersson also has an array of styles for the entire family. I've always loved their pajamas because they are well made, last forever and now come in a variety of organic options as well. I have absolutely no affiliation with them except for the fact that I am a big fan of their products. Right now, if you are a first time customer, they are offering 40% off everything and Halloween pajamas are on sale.

   I also am loving this set from The Company Store. They have  many nice offerings this season ,but this is my favorite. It is very "holiday."

This set  is adorable and is on sale(as of Monday evening) for $8 ! Only sizes left are girls' 3T and 4T.

Love these  ,also on sale for $8 in boy's sizes 2T, 4T and 5T.

Having a shark lover in my house naturally makes me want to buy these for some little guys!Also selling for $8 and change in sizes 2T,3T and 4T.

Here is a fun set for the dinosaur lovers in your family. Still available in sizes 2T-10.

For me, it isn't a holiday without Snoopy and the gang! This set comes in many sizes and is so cute!

Amazon also has some holiday offerings. Simple holiday stripes from Burt's Bees. Best part is they are organic! Find them here.

Here is a very basic set from Pajamagram for the entire family,including your pup! I love the colors and the plaid!!

I am loving this precious night gown from Carters. Goes all the way up to size 14 for girls. Reminds me of my childhood, and many a Christmas Eve filled with anticipation!

I know I already share a set of Peanuts pajamas, but what can I say? I love Snoopy. Find this set here.

While shopping at Old Navy this week, I noticed the holiday pajamas are starting to appear. I like this set for the girls, but they really have so many options in the store. Loads of flannel bottoms and coordinating shirts for the older kids who may not be interested in characters or whimsy any longer.

I hope I've given you some fun options and some incentive to shop for those holiday jams early! Right now, they are starting to fill the shelves, but in a few weeks,they'll be dwindling, trust me,I've missed out too many times to count.
   Stop by next week for Holiday Head Start #3 and some more ideas to help you get some holiday tasks finished early! Have a great day!

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Holiday Head Start #1- Legos

If you are like me, you enjoy shopping early for the holidays. I usually start in July,purchasing things here and there ,putting them away and generally forget that I bought them,then  I find them after Christmas! Ha! This year I am promising myself  that  I won't forget anything.
    Every Tuesday, I am going to share some new, fun gift ideas with you so you can get a head start on your holiday shopping. Today I am starting with Legos. There are some great new sets out that your young builders will love. Many are available on Amazon or at Walmart, and some are only available through the Lego website. There are many fun options from the simple sets to the extremely complex. Today I am sharing mostly holiday sets, and a few new ones as well.
   The first one that caught my eye is the new gingerbread house set. I love it because I am all about gingerbread and festive things. It is a 1,477 piece set, so it is for the experienced builders.It comes with a tree, wrapped gifts, gingerbread people,a light up fire place and so much more. Super cute and makes for a fun family holiday project.

There is also a smaller gingerbread house option with 277 pieces. Adorned with candy pieces, a wreath and a smoking chimney. So sweet!

Disney will be releasing Frozen 2 this fall, so naturally, there will be a slew of toys along with the movie. Lego is currently offering a promotion,now until Oct. 20th, that includes a free Olaf Traveling Sleigh with any $50 purchase of Frozen 2 toys(valid when shopping at lego.com) . The offerings range from little figures to a Castle Village. Here is a look at a few of the new items.

Elsa's Jewelry Box

   Arendelle Castle Village is a set for the 5 and up crowd, with 521 pieces. It includes Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. What Frozen fan  wouldn't want to wake up to find this on a holiday morning?
 

  Naturally, there are Lego Advent Calendars everywhere this season. The can be found on Amazon, the Lego website and I've also spotted them at Costco. These are a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Again, these calendars are for children 5+.
   Star Wars

Friends

City

Harry Potter

There are also a few new sets out for the Star Wars fans. This oneis for ages 10+ and has 1,771 pieces.

 Many sets available for the beginner Lego enthusiasts.
Christmas Town Square

Santa's Visit

Santa

Santa and Mrs. Claus

There are many sets and configurations for all the kids on your list. We've always had Legos in our house for the boys because they are a great way for them to develop team working skills, read and follow plans, they are fantastic manipulatives for little fingers,they foster creativity,encourage completion of a task and most importantly, give them a sense of accomplishment when they are finished with their project! Just be careful walking around barefoot at night!

I hope this post gives you a few ideas for your holiday shopping! Have a great day!

*This post contains affiliate links.