Are you busy decorating and planning for the upcoming holidays? It was definitely a wake-up call for me when I stopped by HomeGoods a few days ago and found it packed with happy shoppers. It made me realize how close the holiday are upon us! You could really feel the excitement in the air; everyone seemed to be in such a great mood!
One of the first things I always look for each year as the holidays approach is an Advent Calendar. I could not believe my eyes this year when I discovered an Advent calendar that I’ve been stalking for years is actually on sale! I’ve never seen this calendar on sale before! The Advent calendar I’m talking about is the iconic Byers’ Choice 3-D Wood Calendar. I first became aware of these heirloom-quality calendars a few years back and I’ve always dreamed of owning one someday. When I saw it was on sale for 25% off, I knew this was going to be the year!
You may recognize the Byers’ Choice name since they are famous for their beautiful, handcrafted Christmas Caroler figurines. Byers makes their special calendars in both a musical/lit version and a non-musical/non-lit version. I could not make up my mind which one I wanted, so I ordered one of each.
The way a Byer’s Advent Calendar works is they are designed with 24 nice-sized compartments that can be filled with a small treasure or yummy treat to enjoy each day leading up to Christmas Day. The musical/lit version of this calendar plays 12 different classic Christmas songs including Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; Oh, Christmas Tree; Good King Wenceslas; Joy to the World; Jingle Bells; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; The Twelve Days of Christmas; O Come, All Ye Faithful; We Wish You a Merry Christmas; Deck the Halls; A Christmas Song; Silent Night.
My calendars haven’t arrived yet (they should be here in about a week) but from what I’ve read, it appears the calendar will light up and play one of 12 different Christmas songs whenever a door is opened. I wonder if it stays lit full-time? (Update: When my musical calendar arrived, it only played the songs at the start when first plugged in and did not play a song each time a door was opened. I don’t know if it was defective or if they have changed the way they work. In any care, I returned it since it didn’t work the way I had seen other Byers’ Musical Advent Calendars work online.) This musical Advent Calendar is currently on sale for 25% off here: Byers’ Choice Musical Advent Christmas Tree Calendar. (Update: If that gorgeous gold sconce above the calendar has caught your eye as it has mine, you’ll find it here: Gold Sconce.)
I love the design of the non-musical one as well! You’ll find it on sale 25% here: Byers’ Choice Christmas Tree Advent Calendar—Non-Musical Version.
I did a bit of shopping for goodies to go inside and I ended up purchasing these Madellaine chocolates that had great reviews. They are even wrapped to look like a present! Love that! These perfect little Advent calendar-sized chocolates are available here: Madelaine Premium Milk Chocolate Wrapped Like Presents.
I also picked up some of their chocolate coins since the reviews were so good for those too. Those are available here: Madelaine Premium Chocolate Coins.
My Favorite Thanksgiving Dinnerware: If you have always admired Spode’s beautiful Woodland china and have dreamed of making it your fall/winter and Thanksgiving pattern, it’s on sale right now. When I first came across this china many years ago in a local department store, it was love at first sight! I purchased six place settings, intending to add another six in the future. It took me many years to finally collect the other six, but finding it on sale helped make that dream come true.
I purchased the additional six place settings here: Spode Woodland 5-piece Place Setting. When I purchased them, I wondered if the quality would be the same. I purchased one to start with, then purchased the rest after it arrived. I was thrilled to find them just as beautiful and vibrant as those I had bought so many years ago.
A few years back I added six Spode Woodland turkey salad plates to my collection. I love to use those with the original pattern for Thanksgiving dinner each year. I need to collect six more sometime. You’ll find these adorable turkey salad plates here: Spode Woodland Thanksgiving Turkey Salad Plate.
If you’ll be serving soup this year, these cute individual pumpkin tureens are currently on sale here: Individual Soup Tureens for Thanksgiving.
I am in love with these charming berry, holly, and pine cone chargers! I’m afraid they will sell out before they go on sale, so I think I’m going to go ahead and order them now. If you love them as much as I do, you’ll find them here: Berry and Holly Chargers.
The dinner plates are beautiful! Love this design! They are currently available here: Nature-Themed Berry, Holly, and Pinecone Dinnerware.
You’ll find this beautiful dinnerware collection here: Nature-Themed Berry, Holly, and Pinecone Dinnerware.
Last year I shared Maureen’s beautiful Christmas table setting! Maureen used similar chargers in her table setting and when I checked for those, they were already sold out. The good stuff goes fast!
They are back again this year! Yay! You’ll find these frosty, pine wreath chargers available here: Frosty Pine Wreath Chargers. I love both the berry/pinecone/holly style and this frosted style. I really want both! Argghh!
When I was shopping recently in Pottery Barn, I came across this adorable Snowman pillow. The face was so sweet, I had to snap a picture. I looked online when I returned home and found her available here: Snowman Pillow.
There’s another version that’s available here: Snowman Pillow with Scarf and Black Hat. Love them both!
Villeroy & Boch are doing something I rarely see them do. They’re having a sale on their iconic Toy’s Delight Christmas china, and it’s a big one! It’s currently 50% off!
You’ll find it available in 4 Place Settings (12 pieces) and on sale 50% off here: Villeroy & Boch Toy’s Delight 50% Off.
I’ve had a few comments/emails asking where to find the bows that I use on the wreaths that I hang on my windows each year. I’ll be hanging those again in just a couple of weeks before I head back up to the Dollhouse.
I really like these bows a lot—they hold up to the worst weather and last for years and years. I especially love their long streamers—they look so pretty dancing in the wind from both inside and out. You’ll find the ones I use here: Outdoor Bows with Long Streamers.
Now that I’m seriously in holiday mode, I’ll be sharing more finds and gift ideas in the coming days/weeks. I’ve had several requests for gift ideas, so those will be coming very soon! If you have a Byers’ Advent Calendar, please share how you fill your calendar each year. I’m thinking of adding some little peppermint candy canes but would love more ideas!
Update: I’m slightly obsessed with the beautiful gold bamboo Sconce in the Advent Calendar picture. I tracked it down and it’s on sale in two colors (Gold and White) here: Beautiful Bamboo Sconce.
Thanks so much for the link to the presents candy! Doing a Presents themed tablescape and they will be perfect! And I passed the Pottery Barn pumpkin bowls sale on to my tablescaping group. Thanks for that too!
If your tablescaping group is like a book club, it sounds amazing and so much fun!
That sounds like so much fun!
Susan,
I love the nature themed berry, holly, pine cone dinnerware, but the link didn’t work for me. Where can I find these? Thanks!
Dede, try this link. It worked when I clicked on it so hopefully it will work for you: https://bit.ly/40Lozqu .
Two advent calendars…hmmm, who could possibly be opening all those doors?!!
🙂
Susan,
I followed your advice and ordered the red ribbons for the wreaths on my home. They are gorgeous and the packaging was amazing!
Thank you!
Judy
Yay, so glad you like them, Judy! I was amazed by how well they were packaged when I ordered them, too. They really know how to protect them for shipping.
Enjoying the fall harvest abundance decor until after Thanksgiving. Haven’t decided if we will decorate for Christmas or not as we will be visiting family from mid-December until early January. We are also having a new kitchen installed during this time. In lieu of gifts for adult family members, we are donating significant funds towards purchasing a van for a non-profit that serves over 1,000 homeless a week. Our family members are very happy about that and many are making their own contributions. The grandkids get books and family experiences like outings to see a play. Their parents don’t want any more “stuff.” We will do some small treats such as special teas and food.
That sounds lovely, Kat! Yes, best part is spending time with family.
XXX