UPDATE: FYI, I will not be in town the day that the swap closes. I will partner everyone up when I return (September 27 probably, but might be 28th). Sorry for the delay!

Advent Calendar for Keeps!

For those of us who celebrate Christmas, an Advent Calendar is a fun way to count down to the big day.

I am inspired by @lukrecja ¢â‚¬â„¢s European Christmas Calendar swap – I have long meant to make a permanent advent calendar for my girls, and it always gets put off. This is the year! I have always purchased those cute little chocolate-filled cardboard advent calendars – the kids love them, and the cost is inconsequential. However, this year, our family has made a change to using only fair trade chocolate, and of course, that option will not be possible this year. The time has come for a real, permanent advent calendar.

For this swap, you will:

· have one partner
· make one advent calendar – some sort of calendar which counts up from 1 to 24, with a pocket or pouch of some sort for each day
· the design, style, and the fabric/materials are up to the sender
· the design & materials you choose must be suitable for a re-useable advent calendar – we should be able to pack away this little treasure & use it year after year
· when signing up, please note below if you do not wish to have certain symbolism on your calendar – not everyone celebrating Christmas is actually a practicing Christian, and on the other hand, many Christians do not like secular symbolism such as Santa Clause on their Christmas items
· if the receiver has requests, they may be included below as well – however, this is only for information for the sender, and may be considered or not (i.e., please don’t request a particular style or fabric – but if you have general colours preferences or general wishes in other areas, go ahead & ask – the sender will at least know what your taste is – but is not obligated to follow every request)
· please incorporate some means of hanging the calendar
· the pockets will be sent empty, for the receiver to fill
· this is very time-sensitive – please do not join this swap if you think you may not be able to make the send date!

Some examples of handmade advent calendars:

(without actual links, since I am markdown language inept!)

A scrapbooking site with lots of options:
http://www.scrapscene.com/2007/12/handmade-advent-calendars.html

Random advent calendars on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/561389@N24/

a cute one here: http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2007/11/advent-calendar.html

as above, but someone suggests using her elf shoes instead of envelopes:
http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2007/11/ears-to-your-el.html

You could use a string of these! http://susiesgarden.blogspot.com/2006/11/holiday-crafting-stockings.html

A cute one http://kameleonquilt.com/freepatterns/adventcalendar.pdf

very simple, but really cute! http://shizzyknits.blogspot.com/2006/12/advent-calendar.html

many choices here! http://www.roadsidescholar.com/2007/11/13/fun-advent-calendar-round-up/

…well – you get the idea – there are dozens & dozens of peoples’ advent calendars on the internet, and I’m sure you have ideas of your own as well! Hey – maybe the swap is appealing, but you don’t need an advent calendar – it would make a wonderful gift to a family you know, or to a shelter or local charity organization, hospital, etc.

This is a significant time- and materials-consuming swap. Therefore, I believe we need quite strict standards to join. If you are a member of FAB, have a minimum overal rating of 4.8, no 1s nor 3s in the last 3 months, and at least ten type three (edited) swaps under your belt (and rated) - you may join. However, please note that I will retain the right to remove anyone from the swap if I have reason to think that they may be a risk of not sending.

I am considering running a very similar swap for an advent calendar, with a sewing requirement - if you have two kids & want one for each, keep an eye out for the next one!