Advent Calendars

Something I started last Christmas was an Advent Calendar. Some friends on facebook wrote about doing one and it sounded like such a great idea so I did my own. Last year I made the Cone-iferous Advent Calendar from Family Fun. 

I've been searching the Internet for more neat ideas to make a new one this year and I came across these websites with some great ideas. All Things Beautiful, Tip Junkie, Rubber Road Adventures. I don't have much time to get to creative so I plan to keep it simple. Not entirely sure yet, but I think I am just going to get some holiday colored envelopes and string them up using clothes pins. I'll post pictures when I am done.

How does this tie into Friday Family Nights? Well under each day I placed a piece of paper with what exciting thing I had planned for that day. I also hid little toys such as silly bands or candy under about 6 of the days. This took a little planning so at the beginning of December I pulled out my calendar and made sure every Friday Night was a fun family event. On the other days if there was something already on the calendar, such as a party then I just used that event. I also made sure I made time for the traditions we always do together or that I have always wanted to start such as letting them buy toys for Toys For Tots. Before I knew it my entire calendar was filled. Below is the list I used from last year. At least this year I'll have something to start with.

I know how quickly December comes and goes and as parents we have so many things we would like to do with our kids during the entire month just to create long lasting memories, but if you are like me January comes and I only crossed off a few of the things. So by creating an Advent Calendar you have already scheduled the entire month...leaving December with NO REGRETS!!! I think it is just a bonus that the kids can't wait to open the calendar each morning. I would love feedback on some of the traditions you have with your kids that you ALWAYS make time for during the Holidays.


1 Laugh uncontrollably at the dinner table
2 Build an advent forest
3 Go Christmas shopping for baby brothers
4 Listen to Christmas music
5 Write a wish list to Santa
6 Donate all your old toys to charity
7 Write a letter to Grammy and Mimi
8 Go to library and check out any books/music/video or games
9 Shop for Toys For Tots
10 Discovery Science Center's Christmas Party
11 Swimming in Papa's hot tub
12 Build a fort and read books inside
13 Do a Christmas craft
14 Read stories about Christmas
15 Drop off Toys For Tots gifts
16 Watch favorite Christmas movie with popcorn
17 Take the train to visit Santa
18 Breakfast with Santa
19 Christmas baking
20 Happy Birthday today you are 7 years old! What do you want to do?
21 Put together a secret Santa basket
22 Deliver your secret Santa basket
23 Go to Nativity at United Methodist
24 Drive around to look at Christmas light



Here's my finished product! Kept it cheap and simple. Bought small, red paper bags, few pieces of Christmasy paper, tiny clothes pins and a roll of Christmas ribbon. I printed out the numbers on my computer, used a couple of circle punches to cut out the paper and then just taped it all together. The paper bag is just big enough for a message. I used the above messages for most of the days and added in a few new ones. If that day I had a small toy or treat I wrote on the back of the message a clue of where to find it. They will have fun hunting!