Countdown To Christmas
Happy Christmas Eve, Eve! Did this month just fly by or what? It usually does.
So how did you count down the days til Christmas this year?
I am so grateful that several of you purchased our Countdown To Christmas Cookie Advent Kit. This Kit is a part of my Cookie and Card Collaboration with Cindy Ontai of Zoe, Hawaii. This project was our largest undertaking, but we were so pleased with the outcome.
Here is the countdown calendar I designed along with some of Cindy’s coordinating custom made cookies.
Stamped With Aloha Cookie Advent Calendar - Photo by: Jessica Nakasone
When I advertised this kit, I was surprised with how quickly it sold out. This kit came with a PDF and Video tutorial along with supplies from the Trimming The Town Suite that were prepped and ready to be assembled on one of our Stampin’ Up! Christmas Countdown Advent kits.
We received great feedback from many who purchased this kit. Several people ordered these as gifts for kids. We were blessed to receive many photos of people happily building their kit! We also enjoyed seeing photos and Instagram posts where people proudly shared their completed project.
Many commented that this kit was easy to assemble and agreed that the hardest thing about the kit was choosing which cookie to put in each drawer.
Countdown To Christmas Cookie Advent Calendar Kit - Photo by: Jessica Nakasone
Of course there was also the problem of not wanting to eat the cookies because they are just too cute!!
Knowing that everyone was so pleased with this project made Cindy and I feel happy. We look forward to more Cookie and Card collaborations in the New Year.
As we all countdown the days til Christmas, we are doing so in a season that looks different than any other we have faced before. It is filled with challenges and unexpected circumstances.
My emotions have been up and down. I’m grateful for my health, but I’m missing being with friends and family. I’m sad to not be able to do traditions I’ve done for years, but thankful to create new traditions and new ways to connect with others. It’s my first Christmas with out my Dad but I’m glad he is no longer suffering and is in a much better place.
My heart goes out to all who are struggling right now with their own ups and downs. I know there are some really serious challenges facing many people! If there is ever a time we need hope and peace, it is now.
One thing that has really helped me this season is to follow a series of Advent readings that are posted on our church website. I attend New Hope Leeward in Kapolei. Our pastor, Josiah Nordgren challenged us to take time to pause in God’s presence each day leading up to Christmas. These encouraging messages have helped me focus on the true meaning of Christmas. If you are in need of peace for the challenges you are facing, I encourage you to read them as well.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s pause to remember that HE is the reason for the season and being in His PRESENCE is the best PRESENT we could ever ask for and all that we’ll ever need.
If you’ d like to read some of these encouraging words or better yet attend one of our virtual Christmas Eve services which start tonight, you can CLICK HERE to visit our church website for more information..
Merry CHRISTmas and prayers for a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!
Cindy
