Lego advent day 1
Well, it’s the first day of December and the first day for advent calendars.
So just before bedtime tonight, we gave the children their Lego advent calendars to open box one…
The kids were very excited to see they each had a Lego advent calendar and couldn’t wait to find and open box number one!
The contents of each box were quite different – Lego Friends included a person and Lego City had a small bag of pieces that my son quickly assembled into two racing cars with remote controls (he spotted they were toys from Santa in the final picture!)
Both of them loved the set on the box for them to array their Lego pieces – especially the racing track for the two cars in Lego city. My daughter put her person together quickly but seemed to want more to do while watching her brother – it was a bit unequal between the two sets.
I was impressed to notice that instructions for making the mini set were included on the inside of the flap for box 1. Maybe it should have been expected that Lego would give instructions but I hadn’t even thought about that need!
So we’re all happy with the first part of these advent calendars, and are looking forward to day two…
Would you be ok with this as the first day?
Different advent calendars
So the main idea of an advent calendar is to enjoy the count down of days to Christmas Day.
By walking through shops and listening to kids, it would seem that the first thing in many minds at the mention of an advent calendar is a cardboard folder with 24 chocolates. There are many options available, from Christmas related images to popular children’s themes (Frozen, Cars, Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer, Star Wars and so on).
But there are many other ways to count down to Christmas, so I thought I’d list a few…
Christmas books
While keeping to the idea of counting down the days, this one doesn’t actually involve a calendar as such. All you have to do is read a different Christmas book each night.
So you need to have 24 books (or a few less if some are longer/harder/multiple stories) but the advantage is that you need only one book per family and can reuse them year after year! You could wrap them all individually and unwrap one from under the tree each evening, or have them in a special box to get one each day (let children take turns to choose one or make it a lucky dip).
There are many Christmas books around, and you probably already have a few around the house. But if you’re looking for some more, you might like to read our Christmas book reviews for ideas.
Lego Advent calendars
Ok, these are not the cheapest option and could still be considered commercial, but they are not based on chocolate and leave the kids with something long term. Plus Lego is a great way to build fine motor skills and imagination.
We’re actually trying these calendars for the first time this year so check out our reviews day by day🙂
beautiful messages
I admit I have often thought of this but leave it too late to organise. Basically, it just means writing 24 personal messages to each child, giving them one a day to read. The messages can be presented in a number of ways, and maybe you could a different presentation each year!
The only rule is that every message must be positive, either acknowledging something good about the child or encouraging them to keep trying.
daily activities
Like the beautiful messages, you can create an advent calendar of your own but instead of positive messages, add in some fun activities to do together.
a tree of thanks
This is simple and a different twist on the messages idea above, but certainly fits into the spirit of Christmas – and I think it is a great idea to help bring some peace to the world this year. Get the family to make Christmas decorations each day that centre around gratitude, creating a very special tree of thanks to treasure.
homemade treat calendar
Instead of using the commercial chocolate advent calendars (which usually have pretty cheap chocolate in them!), you can get some other chocolates or lollies and give out one a day. Presentations can be as simple as en envelope each day or you can use a reusable calendar (like a wooden display or a cloth calendar with 24 pockets, or make one!)
Another option is to give non edible treats each day – we did this last year with a number of small items as the surprises (things like toy animals, stickers, pencil sharpeners, hair ties, toy cars.) The challenge we found was buying enough different things that were small enough to fit into the compartments of our wooden advent calendar!
make Santa’s beard
I think this is very cute – have a lovely image of Santa, preferably with fluffy trims on his hat, but no beard. Each day of December, stick on one cotton ball… Thanks to oopsey daisy for this idea 🙂
Christmas tree decorating
While you may add the lights and tinsel to the tree on 1 December, you could all add one ornament a day until Christmas Eve as a form of counting down the days and making the tree more exciting day by day!
Christmas celebrations across Aussie cities
The excitement is building and decorations are springing up in public places – Christmas is coming! In fact, it is exactly 4 weeks away today…
Here are a few of the free celebrations from around the country – feel free to tell us about others in the comments below 🙂 And why not share your experiences at some of these events?
Christmas in Melbourne
The big events seem to be centred around Federation Square this year, with the southern hemisphere’s largest Lego Christmas tree being unveiled today! The tree will be nearly 10m tall and made from 500,000 Lego bricks, and will have a daily light show accompanied by Christmas songs.
Fed Square also has a tree lighting ceremony tonight and launches their Christmas celebration today – there will be entertainment and activities of all sorts for the next month.
Also starting tonight, the Melbourne Town Hall turns into a magical moving Christmas show through projected lights. Various other buildings around the CBD and Docklands will also light up for Christmas.
Santa can be found in the City Square from tomorrow until Christmas Day, alongside a live Christmas tree and an ‘interactive Christmas activation’ (you’ll have to visit to find out what that means!)
As Melbourne is known for great food, we can’t forget the Gingerbread Village by Epicure! Based at the Town Hall from 1 December, the village is open between 10 am and 8:30pm and all proceeds (entry is by donation) will go to Make-A-Wish Australia. The pastry chefs have been busy creating Melbourne landmarks and I can’t wait to see them all! I wonder if we get to taste Melbourne while we’re there…
Of course, Carols by Candlelight will be on Christmas Eve – at the Myer Music Bowl for some, on TV for the rest of the country 🙂 And the Myer windows have already opened…
Sydney celebrations
Listen to carols every Thursday evening with Choirs in the City at the Pitt St Mall from 26 November. And in the week of Christmas, walk the Pitt St Mall Boulevard of light…
See the tree in Martin Place – it apparently has 60,000 lights and 22 interactive stars on it! The official lighting was last night, with Santa arriving by sleigh to help, and lights will be on every night now until Christmas.
From 12 December, look for the illuminations and projections at the Town Hall.
Between 28 November and 6 December, join in the fun at a series of family concerts (culminating with fireworks!) at Rushcutters Bay, Alexandria, Rosebery and Surry Hills – see the Sydney Christmas page for details.
Experience Christmas in Perth
Perth’s Christmas tree has been on display since 13 November and will stay until 6 January, alongside the Council House Nativity scene in Forrest Place.
For something completely different, why not check out Scuba Santa at the WA Aquarium on Christmas Eve in the shipwreck coast? {To be fair, this is only free if you pay to get into the aquarium, but it still sounds like fun!}
From next Thursday (3 December), the GPO building will be alight with animated Christmas scenes featuring Queenie the Quokka. Going on photos from previous years, this is bound to be beautiful.
This weekend, and again on the 12-13 December weekend, the Perth City Christmas Carnival will make Forrest Place come alive with fun, laughter and music. It includes free rides and a visit from Santa, so if you’re in Perth, why not join the fun?
And the RAC Christmas pageant will move through the Perth streets from 7:30pm on Saturday 5 December.
But one of the most tempting celebrations for me is the two days when Forrest place becomes Christmas Place! It includes Santa workshops, photos with reindeer statues, falling snow – and some of Santa’s Elves are rumoured to be attending, too (but not his letter writing elves I’m afraid!)
Having fun in Hobart
Hobart’s Christmas pageant was last weekend for a celebration of Hobart and the different cultures that make up the city.
The City of Hobart Christmas Decorations program ensures plenty of beautiful decorations to see in Hobart this Christmas…
- the traditional Christmas tree in Wellington Court
- the ’12 Days of Christmas’ at the Liverpool St entrance to the Elizabeth St mall (there’s a tongue twister in the making!)
- toy soldier models in the Elizabeth St mall – apparently very popular for photos!
- a Christmas tree and magical lights will be on display at Salamanca Square
And for a different touch, Hobart’s Youth Arts and Recreation Centre is showcasing young artists with a gallery of ‘what Christmas means to me’ artworks displayed on Mathers Lane.
Darwin at Christmas
If you’re not participating in the Variety Santa Fun Run on Sunday at the Darwin waterfront, why not go along and watch and cheer them on? Lots of Santas at the beach is a very Aussie Christmas event!
Every night in December, the main entrance of the Darwin Waterfront hosts a Christmas lights and snow display between 7pm and 10pm.
The City of Darwin Libraries offers a series of Christmas carols performances at branches from 12 December to 19 December.
Or just enjoy one of the many opportunities to sing along to some carols including tomorrow at Palmerston, Carols by Candlelight (Sunday 6 December) at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, at Leanyer (Sunday 13 December) or at the Goyder Christmas Tree lighting, also on 13 December.
Christmas in Adelaide
Check out the Christmas lights on the Town Hall and Victoria Square between sunset and midnight every night of the week. They were lit up on 14 November and will stay until 1 January.
One highlight of the TeamKids Christmas Festival will be the giant Christmas tree lighting in Victoria Square from 7:30pm on Friday 4 December. The tree will then light up every evening at sunset until 6 January. TeamKids Christmas Festival will also run 4-6 December in Victoria Square. A family friendly event, not surprisingly, with Santa, entertainment, videos from the Adelaide Crows, wreath making, gingerbread biscuit decorating, and open air cinema and more. I love the community aspect of this festival with a Christmas mural being painted and the Wishing Tree’s presence.
There will also be a giant light display along Grote Street, right through until Christmas, as businesses and the Hampshire Cider House light up windows.
Carolers will be singing on Hutt St over the weekend of 4-6 December.
A special evening is also planned for the Lighting of The Loving Tree in front of the Mary Potter Hospice in Strangeways Terrace on 2 December, including carols and a concert by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The Loving Tree celebrates loved ones in and affected by the hospice. Merry Christmas to them all.
Brisbane celebrates
Brisbane’s Christmas tree in King George Square was turned on last night so it’s all set for you to enjoy until Christmas Eve. The City Hall Light Spectacular will be on between 11 December and 24 December with a new and magical light show.
The Myer Christmas parade will run daily at 6:30 pm from 11 December to 20 December. It starts at Edward St and works its way along the Queen St mall, followed by a pantomime in King George Square. The pantomime features Mrs Claus trying to save Santa from being sent to sleep on Christmas Eve!
Christmas stars – a fun craft activity
My daughter and I made some Christmas stars for her to give as gifts to her kinder friends last year – like for my son, I wanted something other than candy canes and it is so much nicer to make something.
Making Christmas stars
I was inspired for these stars by Crafty morning’s snowflake ornaments. I prefer to make stars rather than snowflakes don’t mean Christmas to Aussie kids – and I think mine look more like stars anyway!
Materials
cotton buds
coloured cardboard
glue
glitter
ribbon or similar for hanging
scissors and hole punch
How to make the Christmas stars
cut cotton buds into two pieces – uneven sizes is the aim so don’t worry about making them equal or matching sizes!
Add glue to a piece of cotton bud – I found the easiest way for my daughter was to have a blob of glue on a plate and put the pieces in the glue.
Stick 5 or 6 pieces onto cardboard with the cut ends together and the other ends spreading out to for a star shape.
Spread some glue roughly between the cotton bud pieces – close to the centre, reaching out to different lengths.
Sprinkle some glitter over the star.
This stage needs adult supervision or assistance for younger children. Cut out the cardboard around the stars – it is easier to cut roughly around each star and then neatening it up. Rounded edges look nicer, I think, but sharp corners could be effective, too.
Then simply put a hole in the cardboard of each star, thread through some ribbon or twine and you’re done! I made a little loop of the ribbon so it would be easy for the kid to hang the stars on a tree, and it also made it easy to hang a number of stars on a length of ribbon at home, too.
The stars are small and light enough that my daughter could pop them into an envelope with a Christmas card to hand out to her friends.
Creating positive messages for Christmas
So you’ve decided to do an advent activity based on positive messages, whether just for the kids, the family or maybe even a group of people you see regularly.
It’s a lovely, positive way to celebrate Christmas, and can be very colourful, too, but sometimes, writing the messages may seem a little daunting.
Writing the messages
getting set to write…
Apart from the obvious need to get materials ready to write the messages, how do you prepare to write positive Christmas messages?
The reality is you may have to push yourself and do it when you’re tired or grumpy, but as much as possible try the following ideas to make writing easier:
- remember it’s going to be fun seeing them read what you write
- think of the lasting impact this December could have
- give yourself some time to do this – rushing just makes it harder (and makes mistakes more likely)
- sit somewhere comfortable so you can relax
- make it fun for you – have a nice drink and a snack beside you, play some music you like, burn a candle to encourage your sense of smell, etc
- have some props around you to help – maybe photos of the kids doing things, your diary so you can remember things you’ve done together, a print out of the tips below, and so on.
When to write…
You could write the messages each day, for example write them out each evening in preparation to be read the next day. I like this as it will be fresh and relevant to the day, and is probably easier to do than writing 24 messages at once. But I would have a few spare ones written in advance in case you don’t get to it on any particular day (like when you’re out at Christmas functions or carols by candlelight!)
Or you can write out all the messages in November so they’re all done for the count down. How you’re going to present them will also impact on when you write them!
What to write…
What to actually write in the messages is the biggest hurdle for some people. So here are a few tips:
- keep it simple – “I love how kind you are” or “Your smile brightens up my day” are short but meaningful
- remember the good deeds done throughout the year, not just recently
- focus on the good, don’t try to change anyone. For instance “well done for setting the table this week” is much better than “remember to set the table every day”
- don’t give the same message to everyone in the family, at least not everyday
- use sentences (“generous” isn’t as nice to read as “you are so generous, Jane!”) but one sentence per message will usually be enough
- stick to things they can control – so make it more about behaviour and attitude than appearance. It’s much more affirming to be told “you are friendly” and “you are good at helping people” than “you have nice hair”
- add their name to at least some of the messages – it has more power that way
And if you’re really struggling, here are some actual message ideas:
- I love your smile
- you make me laugh!
- you are very kind to animals
- you’ve worked really hard this year
- thanks for making me so many dinners
- you are a great friend
- I am proud of you
- you are a great big sister
- your integrity makes you beautiful
- you are a great cook!
- I’m proud of you trying hard at school
- you give great hugs!
- I appreciate you saving water when you can
- you are very artistic
- you have a great fashion sense
- I love your laugh
- you make good choices
- it’s great watching you play sport
- you are a great team player
- you are good at thinking about things
- I’m pleased you are loyal
- I’m grateful you’re always there for me
- You show me the way, even when you’re scared of the path
Positive message count down
If you’re more interested in the spirit of Christmas than the commercialism of bought advent calendars, maybe this is an advent activity you will make time for this year. And it doesn’t just have to be for kids!
This can bring people together, make people feel good and build fantastic Christmas memories. If you’ve ever been involved in a message advent activity, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Presentation of the advent messages
So, how do you present these positive messages throughout December?
Well, you can do it anyway you want but here are some suggestions…
- roll each message like a scroll and tie it onto the Christmas tree with red ribbon (You might need a special tree just for this if you’re including a lot of people!)
- fold each message and put it into a pre-made advent calendar
- fold each message and put it into a jar then pull one out each day as a Christmas lucky dip! To make it nicer, use a red jar or tie a festive ribbon around the jar (and of course, the jar could be any type of container, really!)
- put each message into an envelope and open one per day
- stick the message to the bed head so children wake up to see a positive message waiting for them
- create them as an advent calendar. That is, write the messages on a piece of paper/cardboard then stick another piece of paper over the front having partially cut out some flaps to be lifted (or ripped off) to read each day’s message
- you could go electronic and schedule the messages to be sent each day via email, social media or even as their screen saver
- pop a new message into a Christmas stocking (preferably hanging in front of the fireplace or Christmas tree rather than in the dirty laundry basket!) each day – or you could use the stockings for the lucky dip option!
Some positive message advent options
And using a different colour (paper, pens, whatever) for each person will make it easier to keep track of things, too!
If you have any other presentation ideas, please share them below 🙂
Creating the messages
This is both the time consuming and challenging part of the process, but also, I believe, the rewarding part.
As you write positive messages, your little Christmas helpers can be writing, too!
Put simply, you need to create 24 positive and encouraging messages for each person using the advent calendar. These messages need to be read each day so should be individual.
I’ll share some ideas about writing the messages themselves in the next couple of days.
Lego Advent calendar
The 2015 Lego City Advent calendar
An advent calendar can be a fun way to count the days to Christmas – and it helps children understand it’s not yet Christmas!
There are many options for the countdown – commercial chocolate-centric calendars, home made calendars and even positive message calendars. And so far, we’ve used those sorts of calendars.
But this year, we’re trying out the Lego Advent calendars.
What is a Lego advent calendar?
Like any other advent calendar, it includes 24 days to show the days to Christmas. It has little boxes, like a chocolate calendar, with the plan of opening one each day and inside each box is some Lego.
Obviously, a Lego advent calendar is more expensive than the common ones – way more expensive! But you get Lego to keep rather than (usually) cheap chocolate that lasts for seconds.
Is a Lego calendar worth it?
This is the big questions – is it worth paying so much for an advent calendar? Is it an expensive way to buy Lego?
I’ve never been quite sure but with two children who love Lego (dare I say one is obsessed with Lego!) I thought we’d check it out this year and this review is to share our experiences with you.
So far, we haven’t opened any of the little boxes (it’s not 1 December yet after all!) so I’m still not sure how much Lego is in each box – I suspect it will vary a little anyway.
It is nicely presented so that the box stands up and forms a scene that the Lego surprises become part of.
We actually have two calendars – one for Lego City* and one for Lego Friends so each child has their own. And I will give a short review of each day’s surprises during December, with a final review at the end to answer this question of value.
* I found the Lego City calendar was harder to find – the Friends and Star Wars versions have been in more catalogues and shops than the City version which surprised me.
Christmas shop displays
Should shops always have traditional Christmas displays, or is a modern interpretation ok?
Some examples of Christmas decorations in shopping centres*
Updated mall displays are controversial?
I came across an article entitled “You’ll never believe the newest Christmas controversy“.
In short, a chain of American shopping centres (malls) has decided to modernise their Christmas decorations around where Santa sits. Apparently, they’re swapping traditional details like trees and wreaths for a winter wonderland feel.
Ok, winter is not a theme that says Christmas to us Down Under, but using interactive screens and a light show could be interesting. And from a business perspective, it could make their malls stand out as fresh and different.
But shoppers disliked it so much that the malls reverted to Christmas trees and poinsettias.
How should shops display Santa?
There is a lot to be said for the traditional decorations. It continues a tradition, obviously, and helps people feel the Christmas magic they experienced as kids, and lets parents share that same magical experience with their kids.
In particular, displays around Santa and that end up in Santa photos probably are better keeping a somewhat traditional feel. Who wants to look back on family photos and have one or two photos stand out as dated rather than Christmassy?
Of course, when it comes to the crunch, as long as a smiling Santa is there and children feel safe and welcome, the background is just that – background.
Shopping centre decorations
I like seeing shopping centres (including strip shops and council buildings) having some different themes for their decorations. For instance, I’ve seen some beautiful silver and purple themes which are stunning.
So I think perhaps the Santa seating area needs to have many traditional elements. But other decorations can be modern, classy, traditional or just interesting!
Would you agree with me?
How would you react if your local shops used a modern approach to decorations around Santa this year?
Making cute Santas
The Jolly & Joy Christmas Santa craft kit
I made some Santas with my kids recently from a kit I had grabbed, so I thought I’d share the results as a review for anyone else thinking of getting this kit.
Jolly & Joy Santa kit
I actually got this kit a while ago so I can’t remember the price but I don’t think it was particularly expensive as I got it as a back up activity to do with the kids.
The kit
Kit contents plus scissors
The materials to make six Santas were in a simple plastic bag. Most things were counted exactly (eg there were 36 ‘diamonds’ for Santa’s belt) or are cut from larger pieces of paper (we used less than half a sheet of each colour). Note we just got little jewels whereas the packet mentions holographs.
Making the Santas
I helped a four year old and two six year olds make these Santas, so adjust my comments as need be to suit the children you have.
Craft glue
My biggest complaint is the glue. One little tube was included in the kit.
One tube of glue for three kids meant a lot of waiting and stretched patience – in the end, the older two went and played until the four year old had finished with the glue. Which was admirable of them and made helping easier!
In addition, there was not enough glue in the tube to finish three Santas, let alone the six the kit promises. I had more craft glue but if you were relying on the kit to be complete, it would be a problem.
Figure it out for yourself
The kit did not come with instructions or even an image of the individual pieces. Overall, it’s not something you need instructions for – but kids doing it alone would need help.
I realised that the belt, boots, mittens, nose, mouth and face all had to be cut out of the provided paper. I had to use the Santa cut out as a sort of template to cut out the shapes which was a bit too tricky for the kids.
The actual creation
Gluing the pieces onto Santa was fun and easy enough. It kept the kids happy for quite a while and they were very proud of their results – I think they did a good job, too.
Yes, a bit of glue was all over their fingers and they had trouble gluing on the pom poms (because they stuck to their glue fingers better than the cardboard!) but that’s all part of children’s craft work.
The verdict?
Despite a couple of disappointments, these were fun to make and we ended up with some very cute Santas. We attached them to the wall above each child’s bed where they looked really nice.
Certainly a nicer result than making these from scratch and the kit would suit a fairly wide range of age groups. So I’d say they’re worth a look if you want a Christmas craft idea or some Santas to decorate with.
If you’ve used one of these kits, or go on to use one, what do you think of them? Would you consider getting another one?
Zelda and Ivy: One Christmas – Christmas book review
Zelda and Ivy: One Christmas%27%20fill-opacity%3D%27.5%27%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%23cde1e0%22%20fill-opacity%3D%22.5%22%20rx%3D%221%22%20ry%3D%221%22%20transform%3D%22rotate(108.1%2052.3%20120.2)%20scale(73.83932%20136.49945)%22%2F%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%233e544e%22%20fill-opacity%3D%22.5%22%20rx%3D%221%22%20ry%3D%221%22%20transform%3D%22matrix(-104.5973%20203.7215%20-71.8767%20-36.90386%2085.6%20350)%22%2F%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%23a95221%22%20fill-opacity%3D%22.5%22%20rx%3D%221%22%20ry%3D%221%22%20transform%3D%22matrix(.42274%20121.10635%20-161.16845%20.56259%20297.6%20415.4)%22%2F%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%23b3c2c1%22%20fill-opacity%3D%22.5%22%20rx%3D%221%22%20ry%3D%221%22%20transform%3D%22matrix(-40.01041%203.08038%20-6.44504%20-83.7134%2068.3%20161.7)%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fg%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "| love santa")
by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Walker Books, London, 2000
Age group: primary school
A three chapter picture book about caring and appreciating gifts.
The story
Two sister foxes, Zelda and Ivy, are together in three Christmas stories in one book. The first story sets the scene of what the girls and their friend Mrs Brownlie wish to get for Christmas. Mrs Brownlie’s husband has died since last Christmas so the girls make a gift to cheer her up this year.
In the second story, Zelda becomes the Amazing Zeldarina and tells Christmas fortunes through a Christmas bauble. The third story covers the excitement of Christmas Eve and checking the tree on Christmas morning.
My review
This was a pleasant read and my five year old certainly liked it (mind you, her favourite part was that they cooked some biscuits which only happened on page one of the book!)
One Christmas is a realistic story as it shows children having very self-centred Christmas wishes and logic (pretending to sneak downstairs is not really sneaking down!), yet they also have compassion for their friend. The expression of that compassion in the form of making a gift is very realistic to me – I’ve seen children do it many times and it is always a precious thing.
Being in three parts, it can be broken over a few reading sessions but it is still short enough to read it all at once to a child. The text is easy to read, both in the wording and the length of text per page, but beyond an earlier reader to get very far.
As for the story, I enjoyed the simple concepts of Christmas and care. The lack of Mr B was a surprise – just not something I’d expect in a child’s Christmas story – but was done subtly and nicely so is not really an issue. Of course, taken as part of a series of books it makes more sense – although I couldn’t see any reference to Mr B dying in an online search of the other 5 books.
Christmas morning with Mum and Dad looking on
Zelda and Ivy are quite real – Zelda bosses her little sister and Ivy does as she’s told to be with her idolised big sister, yet they happily do things together. I found it a little strange that their parents are not mentioned or spoken to – they are in the Christmas morning pictures though!
I was impressed that the girls got something other than their wishes from Santa and Zelda was very gracious about it – there were no pouts, tantrums or sad faces. This was immediately overwhelmed by secondary gifts of exactly what they wanted which is a happy ending for the story but not so useful for discussions or learning!
The ending is very happy so the book leaves you with a sense of happiness about the enjoyment of Christmas. Dancing around together is just a perfect example of how Christmas is special through the little things, not the gifts.
Ivy looking at her Christmas wish gift…
Christmas beads for wildlife
Today, I took the children to our beautiful Melbourne Zoo.
In the new predators area, there are a number of promotions for beads for wildlife (namely bracelets) made by women in Kenya. These bead pieces give those women an income that does not impact on local wildlife and gives options to those communities – for instance, the purchase of two bracelets can provide uniforms for a school child.
It was also interesting to see an explanation of the colours and how the Kenyans use the coloured beads to tell a story.
Christmas beads
In the gift shop at the Lion area, as well as the usual beads and necklaces, I spotted a number of beaded Christmas items on the racks.
Display of beaded ornaments at the Melbourne Zoo gift shop
I love the idea of having some Christmas ornaments that will help Kenyan communities and endangered animals, as well as look pretty.
Do you have any Christmas decorations that have helped others?
I couldn’t resist the bead Christmas tree and angel… Aren’t they pretty hanging in my tree?
Pending coffee and snacks
Today I heard about pending coffees for the first time.
Maybe I’m a bit behind or maybe it’s just because I don’t actually drink coffee or buy many drinks in cafes! Whatever, I love this idea, especially as we head into the Christmas rush.
Sharing a drink and snack is truly part of the Christmas spirit – at any time of year!
What is pending coffee?
In case I’m not the last to know about it, let me explain.
Some people walk into a coffee shop and ask for two coffees – one for them and one pending coffee. The shop takes money for two coffees but only serves one.
Later, a person with financial worries comes into the shop and asks if they have any pending coffees. The shop then serves that extra coffee they’ve already been paid for.
It’s a really simple way of giving to those who need some help.
And of course, it doesn’t have to just be a coffee (in my mind anyway!) It could be a pending snack at the café or a pending bucket of chips in a take away shop. As long as hungry people know a shop is willing to serve pending drinks/snacks, it’s there for the offering.
Do you order a pending coffee or snack?
As I said, I don’t drink coffee and hadn’t heard of pending coffees before so I haven’t done this, but I intend to do so. Have you ever done it?
I’m curious as to how shop people react if they don’t already know about this means of Paying it Forward…
Maybe we need little signs in shop windows to tell people they are welcome to offer or request pending drinks and snacks there.
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Order Cut Off Dates
Please note that Love Santa letters need to be ordered before December 18 to be delivered before Christmas!
Order now to be sure of delivery before Christmas. Keep an eye on our blog for final ordering days as we get close to Christmas Eve.
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Under no circumstances, not even under threat of having to fill in for Santa on Christmas Eve, will your details of any kind be given, sold or lent to any other party.