Christmas, glorious Christmas! It’s time to get ready to trim that tree and “deck the halls.”
I’ll be sharing some of the ways I am getting my house looking festive soon, but this week I wanted to share with you a new free printable that just landed in the Printable Resource Library!
Christmas is absolutely, hands down, my favorite time of year. While there is a LOT of time and energy that goes into making the festivities happen (I’m looking at all of YOU, mamas!), it is such a special, magical time of year. 
Using an Advent Calendar at Christmas
One thing my family loves to do each year is a small, fun activity we do together each evening as we anticipate Christmas’ arrival. To keep us (umm, ME) organized, we use an Advent calendar.
Being the crazy Christmas lover that I am, we have several sets…. We typically get the chocolate candy ones (great kiddo bribery incentive for having a good day…wink), we usually have a sticker one, we have a magnetic one, and we also have an activity calendar. Yep, I think you could say that we are SET in the Christmas countdown department. Ha! While the different ones are a lot of fun, you don’t need anything fancy to make the holidays feel special.
{This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Using these links might result in me receiving a small commission, but at absolutely NO cost to you! You can read more about my commitment to transparency, by visiting my Disclosure Statement.}
Fancy Advent Calendars
Also, let’s just talk about something for a second….Have you SEEN some of the fancy Advent calendars that are available now?! There are calendars that contain Legos, Barbie accessories, Thomas the Train…..You know, because nothing says: “Happy Birthday Baby Jesus” like Thomas the Train! Ha! (Sarcasm aside, it does look pretty cool, but quite an expense!
Today I want to share with you some (easy) ideas for making your own advent calendar.
Creating an Intentional Christmas
These ideas really are special ways to intentionally make time during the holiday rush. The great thing is that these activities are (mostly) simple, free (or super cheap), and are perfect for spending time together before Christmas comes. It also is a great way to help keep focused on what Christmas is truly about: the Greatest Gift given. (If you want some additional ideas, see the bottom of the post.)
The great thing about the printable is there are multiple ways to use it!
Using the Free Printable Advent Calendar
I’ve included 24 ideas of things you and your family can do together. (These can be used from December 1-24.) If one of the ideas doesn’t fit your family’s holiday traditions, no worries! I have included blank ones for you to write your own ideas on!
Paper Chain Advent Calendar
You can cut out the strips and create a paper chain. Each day you would remove the strip at the end and do that activity together.
Advent Calendar Envelopes
You might want to have a little more control over what order you do things (let’s face it, “make Christmas cookies” just won’t be a great “family togetherness activity” some nights! These are meant to be FUN, so being able to plan a tiny bit ahead might save your holiday sanity! [Wink]
If that’s the case, you can put the strips in little envelopes. That way you could fill a couple days’ envelopes at a time (or even just do it the night before). The kids don’t have to know that the rest of the envelopes are empty. Ha!
Advent Calendar Tree
To make this little advent tree, I used some brown envelopes I already had, some number stickers, and some clothespins. It literally took 5 minutes. 
The envelopes I had were standard greeting card size (too big for my small tree). I sealed the envelope, then folded it and cut it in half. 
I then placed one activity strip in each envelope half and folded each one more time. I like the little red number on the front. You could have your kids decorate each one too! Place them on a tree (or use a string and make a garland to hang them on the fridge, bookshelf, door, etc.). 
The kids will enjoy hunting for the day’s envelope each morning and reading what the activity will be! (And mama will like being able to pick and choose a little better when different activities are done!)
Use ‘Elf on a Shelf’ With Your Advent Calendar
If your family does “Elf on the Shelf,” your elf could bring the day’s activity strip with him (or her) for your kids to find each morning.
Ready to print yours? Sign up to be Saturday email buddies:
Additional Advent Resources
We own the book Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas. If you have school-age kids. or older kids, this book is a great one to read aloud each night! Check out the reviews on Amazon and see if it would be a good fit for your family!
I was also quite excited to hear about a new holiday tradition called The Giving Manger. It is available on Amazon, but it is much cheaper if you order it through the company website. They also have a free download printable of easy acts of service your kids can do this holiday season. (You could always write in a few of your own at the bottom…mine would say “Help Mommy with laundry.” What could you use help with?)
Leave a Reply