I love all of the different Christmas Advent calendars, but I haven't really found 'the one' that I wanted for our family. So... I made my own!
First, I didn't want something that was huge and would take up a lot of storage space and I didn't want to put any holes in the wall. So, I purchased some small clothes pins and stick-on magnets from Hobby Lobby. My kids helped with this part and painted the one side of the clothes pins in red, white or green. Once dry, they trimmed the stick-on magnets and put on the back side of the clothes pins. I used these to hold the daily packets which are located on the side of our refrigerator but is still a very focal point in our kitchen!
Next, I used four different Christmas-inspired scrapbook pieces of paper, cut into six pieces to make the 'envelopes'. Simply fold in half and glue so it makes an open ended envelope. While those were drying, I created and printed the numbers for each days packet as well as the 'Countdown to Christmas' title at the top of our calendar. I used a 1 1/2" circle punch to punch out the numbers, so quick and easy!
Now, the most important thing to include in the calendar, for me, was the telling of Jesus' birth, in a way that is easy for our kids to understand the significance and importance. I found exactly what I wanted with this great {free!} printable from LovelyIndeed. I paired that with a great conversation question or Christmas activity to do. I found an equally great printable from Creative with Kids. I love the ideas including several that give back to the community, a lot of fun, family time activities! So each day has a meaningful study of the birth of Jesus as well as an activity or conversation piece!
I feel that this will really reinforce the magic of the season, create beautiful and lasting memories, and it's something that our kids are already looking forward to! They keep asking when is December 1st, so they can open that first envelope!
Below are the printables that I created. Please feel free to use for your own advent calendar!
Seasons Greetings!
© Cruzin' Thru | 2013
First, I didn't want something that was huge and would take up a lot of storage space and I didn't want to put any holes in the wall. So, I purchased some small clothes pins and stick-on magnets from Hobby Lobby. My kids helped with this part and painted the one side of the clothes pins in red, white or green. Once dry, they trimmed the stick-on magnets and put on the back side of the clothes pins. I used these to hold the daily packets which are located on the side of our refrigerator but is still a very focal point in our kitchen!
Next, I used four different Christmas-inspired scrapbook pieces of paper, cut into six pieces to make the 'envelopes'. Simply fold in half and glue so it makes an open ended envelope. While those were drying, I created and printed the numbers for each days packet as well as the 'Countdown to Christmas' title at the top of our calendar. I used a 1 1/2" circle punch to punch out the numbers, so quick and easy!
Now, the most important thing to include in the calendar, for me, was the telling of Jesus' birth, in a way that is easy for our kids to understand the significance and importance. I found exactly what I wanted with this great {free!} printable from LovelyIndeed. I paired that with a great conversation question or Christmas activity to do. I found an equally great printable from Creative with Kids. I love the ideas including several that give back to the community, a lot of fun, family time activities! So each day has a meaningful study of the birth of Jesus as well as an activity or conversation piece!
I feel that this will really reinforce the magic of the season, create beautiful and lasting memories, and it's something that our kids are already looking forward to! They keep asking when is December 1st, so they can open that first envelope!
Below are the printables that I created. Please feel free to use for your own advent calendar!
Seasons Greetings!
© Cruzin' Thru | 2013
calendar_numbers.docx |
countdown_to_christmas.docx |