I love seasons... both for the way they attune us to life's rhythms and for how they refresh us with change. November 30th began the season of Advent (from Latin for "coming," as in, preparing for Jesus' coming). This week's link love focuses on simple ideas to help you prepare for the coming of Christmas!

Here are the best Advent activities I found this week. Because it's important to me, these all focus on holidays that are handmade, meaningful, peaceful, or all three. What links would you add?

Feeling Crafty?

How to Make a Bunting from Joyful Abode
Christmas Tree Card Pattern from Makes and Takes
Holidays by Hand from Simple Mom

Ready to Read?

25 Storybook Surprises from Makes and Takes
Advent & Christmas Read-Aloud Book List from Teaching Mom
Advent Poems from John Piper

Late start on the Advent Calendar?

Our Advent Calendar from A Little Wonky
Countdown Calendar (Christmas, Hanukkah, or Winter Solstice) from maya*made
Advent Calendar from Wood Between the Worlds

Tried a Jesse Tree?

The Jesse Tree from Simple Mom
Make a Jesse Tree from Rocks in my Dryer
Jesse Tree Readings from CRI

And for the little ones?

A Different Kind of Advent from scrumdilly-do
Christmas Activity Garland from Problem Solvin' Mom
Make-your-own Nativity Stable from Disney Family

Tired of 'Buy, buy, buy'?

Advent Conspiracy
Rethinking Christmas
Buy Nothing Christmas
Buy Handmade

Enjoy!

...and you?

Have a link I might consider for a future top 10? Comment here or tag it for:simplyla to my delicious network with "top10".

What are you doing to prepare for this season (Christmas, winter, or whatever it is for you)?