So… December is in 9 days.

If you’re anything like me, this is the moment when all the “Pinterest-perfect” ideas start attacking you from everywhere – and all you want is one good memory with your kids without a meltdown (yours or theirs).


Ideally captured as a photo too… 😂

After 15 magical seasons and 3 boys, here’s what I know for sure:

You don’t need 24 complicated activities.

You just need a few small, fun moments that work in real families.

The kind that light you up instead of putting more pressure.

So today I’m sharing a few of our favourite, very-doable Advent ideas:
things we do every year, that don’t require a craft diploma,
and that give you connection instead of disappointment.

Feel free to steal them:

Everyone gets a handful of random Lego pieces each day and builds one chaotic little world together.
(Once, my kids built a bank. Please don’t ask. 🤷‍♀️🤣)

Everyone chooses two songs.
Dance. Goof around. Zero planning.
Takes 10 minutes and instantly lifts the mood.
A great moment to take photos and videos too.

Lights off. Candles on.
Shadow theatre before bed.

Strangely magical — even teens relax.

Tea + pastry + blankets + cold noses.
I swear it works every single time.

(Optionally: marshmallows + campfire if you have space.)

Each kid writes a letter to someone who was kind to them this year.

It teaches them something no Advent calendar ever will.

Little kids LOVE this.
They feel sneaky and important.
You get the sweetest card of the year.

…My big kids love these too, but no guarantees. 🤣

My favourite tradition: every day you flip a card with a photo from the past years.
Kids go wild for this.

And it’s so much easier and quicker to make than an album.

These tiny things create more holiday spirit than any “DIY or die” activities ever could.

If you want a whole bunch of easy things you can actually do…

• emotional photo gift ideas
  
• Advent activities your kids won’t resist
  
• holiday photo tips that make your kids cooperate
  

…then I have something for you:

👉 Get it now – €25 until November 25 >>>

After that the price returns to €45.

You get immediate access to:

• Emotional Photo Gifts Workshop (albums, wall art, calenders - easy to make)
• 31+ Advent & New Year kids-proof activities
• Holiday photo tips
• My favourite ways to capture moments without staging anything
• Our warm Facebook community (70+ lovely humans)

If you’d rather connect than collapse this December, this is for you.

See all the details here >>>

Cheers! 

Maryia 😘

I think it is time to start getting into the festive end-of-the-year mood! I have been taking your family portraits for two years now and I cannot express how happy and overwhelmed I am with the results! I decided to organize a small gift giving action to thank you for your trust and support! So I have randomly chosen some of my most favourite pictures. I really could not chose all of them because the list would be too long. And of course I also could not chose photographs for which I do not have a model release.

So here are the rules!

Please vote for your favourite picture in the comment below and share this post on a social media. The photographs which will get most of the votes will be printed as 20x30 cm high quality prints and will be sent to the models. I am thinking of having three winners but we will see! Thank you for taking part in this fun project! Cheers!