What do Others Have to Say?

I love when the stores start stocking Christmas gear and commercials break out with Christmas jingles. I love these things because they bring Christmas with them and with Christmas comes my family's Advent Tradition. In a year when money was tight and my father was out of work, my mother found a way to turn our attention from things and stress and commercialism to giving, togetherness and spirituality. Since then, December has become a sacred month for our family. Because of the Advent Tradition, we take time every day of the month to sit together and get in touch with what the holiday is all about: the things that light us up on the inside. I'm so thankful to my mother for gifting us with this tradition that gets us in touch with what the holiday season is really about.
~ Alyce Prentice
27 years of age

The Advent Bag Tradition brings out the true spirit of Christmas at our house, the spirit of giving. We all pick out charities to give to, or work with. We all nominate people for Super Secret Special Surprise status. We work together, we play together, we give together and we receive together. This tradition has brought us joy, happiness and love. Merry Christmas!
~ the DeWig Family
Family of 4

The Advent Box gave me something to look forward to besides Christmas Day. It helped me understand, at a young age, that the holidays aren't about the presents you'll receive on a certain day, but the times you share with family and friends.
~ Joe Prentice
20 years of age

The Advent Box provides the structure for the Christmas we really want.
We all want a magic that takes the pressure off and makes the season more meaningful, more family oriented. We’re told we can get there by the right decorations, the right gifts, the right food, but that’s not it - we’re not getting what we want out of all that work. The Advent Tradition takes me away from the “commercial perfection” and gives us what we really want from Christmas - but didn’t know how to get. The Advent Tradition shows us how.
~ Laura Stasack
Kindergarten teacher and Mom of 2 teens

I have been an enthusiastic participant in the Advent Tradition activities for several years. During those years my life changed from married to widowed. Througout life's many changes, the joy and the service that comes through doing this Advent Tradition underlines the season.
~ Bernie Nolan
Retired

For the last eight years we have been following my dear friend Caren's "Advent Tradition". It's a series of activities that makes the world just a little brighter, friends seem a bit closer and brings special moments filled with the Holiday Spirit! As a parent it has made my family spread out the holiday "chores", sweets, giving, and fun. As an adult it has brought a depth and richness of meaning into the holiday season. My Mom, who lives on her own, has found that it keeps every day of December spiritual (not religious) and enhances the creative opportunities for spreading gratitude and joy.
~ Brenda Eichelberger
Professor and Mom