Countdown to Christmas

It's December 1st and time to start the Christmas Countdown. In keeping with the German tradition I grew up with, we have an Advent Calendar each year to help the time go by. Every day until Christmas the kids get to open a small present consisting of a toy or treat. My mom was so inventive and always had a different idea for the calendar each year. This year, I decided to get some more use out of my cupcake stand by using empty applesauce cups that I collected (thanks to my husband's applesauce kick a few months ago). I put a small gift in each cup, then wrapped it in bright green tissue paper and wrapped it up with a glittery branch and red ball. Then I finished it off with a number easily printed off on the computer. The whole thing looks like a unique version of a Christmas tree.