Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Countdown to Christmas Ideas



We are very much looking forward to Thanksgiving in TWO days {can you believe it?!}. This, of course, means that December is right around the corner. If you've been following along, you know that my plan this year is to have some sort of craft, activity, project, or outing scheduled every day in December leading up to Christmas. Our Countdown to Christmas. This may be something as simple as reading a Christmas story while sippin' on some hot cocoa, or baking Christmas cookies. One day will be devoted to picking out our tree and putting up decorations.



To start we made our Advent Calendar.

I plan to put a slip of paper revealing our activity for the day in each pocket.

This was super easy to make, if you're interested in one for yourself. I used flannel and fleece with felt as pockets, but if you used felt for the entire project, you could get away without any sewing! I was going to applique the numbers, but ran out of time . . . Tulip paint to the rescue!

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Our activity for December 1st will be making another advent calendar. My mother-in-law gave me the idea, last year, as a project for our Sunday school class. It was a hit! Want to make your own?

You'll need:

Saran Wrap {I use colored}

Yarn or string

Hershey's Kisses or some other small treat {24 of them}

24 small squares of paper, numbered 1-24, and hole punched

You may want:

A decorative topper

{We used craft foam last year. Cut out Christmas trees, "decorated" them with sequins and printed each child's name. Then attached a string to hang them.}

What to do:

Take the saran wrap. You'll need a long piece {The length is dependent on how much space you'll leave between each treat. 5 feet should be about right}. Place hershey's kisses in one long line down the center of the saran wrap, leaving an inch or so between each one. Carefully roll up the wrap, then tie pieces of yarn {with numbered square attached} between each treat. Each day, your child {or you!} can untie a string and enjoy some chocolatey goodness, while you count down to Christmas!

More ideas to come!!!



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9 comments :

Helene said...

That is such a cute idea!! I've been looking in the stores to buy an advent calendar but I like the thought of making one. Not only is it a fun project to do with the kids, but it's even more special because it's homemade.

Foursons said...

Sorry I haven't gotten my list to you. Things have turned crazy around here!

He & Me + 3 said...

Very cute idea. I love that your are going to put a piece of paper in each day with a plan for the day. How fun!

~~Mel~~ said...

Love this idea!!!

Heidi Boos said...

Let the fun begin! Love the idea of the Hershey Kiss countdown...we'll be doing that for one of our activities for sure! It also looks like we'll be doing the similar "pocket" idea with the slip of paper because the advent calendar my mom made for the kids last year has pockets, too. Can't wait to see all the other projects you have in store!

Heidi Boos said...

Oh, hello!? By the way...

LOVE the adorable advent calendar and that it's shaped like a tree. Super cute!!

Jenny said...

I love how this turned out. I have an advent calendar, but need to decide what the heck to put in each day. Can you share your ideas?

Anonymous said...

Liz, you are amazing!! Honey you did not get any of these talents from me. I never had the talent or patients to do what you do, especially with three children in tow. I love you!

Jen said...

I love that you manage to take the time and plan little Christmas things for each day (I guess it's not too late for me yet, huh?) Lovely Advent calendar!

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