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Petit Porcini

You don’t need glitter to make December magical!

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

Bonjour,
​

Every December, I rediscover something:
The magic of Christmas doesn’t come from the decorations. It doesn’t come from the gifts. It doesn’t even come from my advent calendar itself, it comes from what happens around it: the magic of all the special moments it creates!

It might sound corny but it is true.

This Week’s Spotlight

For years now, I have been crafting our Family Advent Calendar with intention: never fancy, never expensive, but always meaningful.

And every year, I ask myself… Are my kids (now 13 and 15) still interested? And every year, the answer is yes.

Not because of what’s inside each little pouch but because of what it creates.

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A moment together.
A laugh over hot chocolate.
A bingo night that ends in crumbs and silly photos.
A kindness day where we all feel a little softer.

The calendar changes shape every year.

We’ve done brown envelopes, folded paper pockets, printed bags, a wicker basket, and last year? Little paper houses from the dollar store clipped to fairy lights. (see for links on the blog post)

Sometimes we skip days because life is busy. There is no rule! Because this isn’t about keeping up. It’s about slowing down.

If you like the idea but December feels too much, make it only for the 12 days of Christmas?

This isn't another December task!

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It’s an invitation to connect, to pay attention and make a tiny memory that doesn’t cost anything, except presence.

What our Advent looks like this year (imperfect, real, loved):

  • Christmas movie night
  • Everything-red dinner (or white?), we did red last year, super fun!
  • Hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, a classic every year!
  • Kids cook dinner night
  • A minute to win it challenges! So much fun!

On the blog, I’ve gathered:

  • All the ideas: from toddlers to teens
  • Links to be crafty and create your own calendar

​Visit the Advent Calendar post here!

If the idea of slowing down around food speaks to you...

That’s exactly what I teach inside The Table Reset, my program for parents who want calmer, more connected family meals (without overhauling everything).

The magic lives in small, ordinary days

If this speaks to you, I would love to hear how you make small moments count!
​If you know me in real life, you know I live for this!

Hugs!

Mél

​

Petit Porcini

Mél

Come hang out in my French kitchen abroad!

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