Recently, I found a link on swissmiss that really caught my eye; a minimal advent calendar. Dawn loves Christmas time, and I thought this would be a great idea to give her. Though I would have liked to support the artist who had the idea, I didn’t really have time to order it and wait for it to ship from Germany. Hopefully I can support them through a different purchase for someone at a later date. Plus, I am lucky; my friend Mike M. at work is a fantastic woodworker!
I showed Mike the item and told him my idea, and he said he’d be able to do it in no time. He’s a good guy and wouldn’t take money for it, so, I do owe him lunch. (thanks again Mike!!)
![](https://krisfreedain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_5fdee9398b3b4.jpg)
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What I really loved about this, besides the minimal aspect of the item, was that Ian and I could write personal notes to Dawn for each day. Here is the little man crafting his priceless notes to momma. I love what he wrote for her.
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We each crafted notes; things we could do for her, personal notes, and shared memories. I know I enjoyed writing the notes, and I could tell the little man did as well. He can be so creative.
![](https://krisfreedain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_5fdee93b9ba63.jpg)
The advent calendar, full of notes.
![](https://krisfreedain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_5fdee93c66703.jpg)
Then, we made her sit at the table so he could place it in front of her while she had her eyes closed. He, of course, had the notes in a very specific order; planning exact days he wanted her to open specific ones he’d written.
![](https://krisfreedain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_5fdee93d4b199.jpg)
I think she enjoyed her surprise, and will be able to enjoy it all month.
![](https://krisfreedain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_5fdee93de05a8.jpg)