There is just one day left to prepare an advent calendar, if you don’t want to miss any of the days in Decemeber. And from the hits on my blog I know many of you are searching for advent ideas. I have a few great ones for you today!
You may want to check out this post, where I describe in detail how we made this fun Christmas Tree advent calendar. And while I happen to think it’s pretty cute, I think lots of people are coming more for the Scripture based advent inserts that help teach children the true meaning of the holiday as they anticipate it’s arrival. I have them outlined for you to take and use.
My sister, Trina, has come up with some clever advent calendars for her family in recent years. I asked her if she could share them on the blog today, in case you are still looking for the right advent calendar for your family!
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{by Trina, one of my kindred crazy sisters}
Paper Pouch Advent
I created this advent calendar the year I was 8 months pregnant with baby #5, and I really wanted to have small, simple things to make each day a little special (since I knew I didn’t have it in me to make the big things happen). I pulled out random Christmas/winter/red/green scrapbook paper and made these twist envelopes. I used the technique described in detail in this post. I filled each pouch with small toys or candy, or often something representational of what we would do that day (a birthday candle to say we’d eat by candlelight, a snowflake and a note saying we’d be cutting paper snowflakes after school, etc.). A few of the days contained LEGOs and a picture of a Christmas model to build. I was pretty proud of these because most of them I just came up with then photographed, and my boys got to figure out how they went together.
To try and help us keep our focus in the right place, I wrote a Christmas scripture [the ones Kendra posted] on each of the number tags that we’d read in the morning before the envelope was opened.
When everything was made, I simply punched 1/4″ holes in the tags and envelopes, and slid them onto a length of green rafia. There was enough friction that I didn’t even have to tie them on–which made it easier for the children to pull them off each day.
I loved the flexibility that this calendar allowed and overall it was a big hit. But making all the envelopes took quite a bit of time (and I am mother to 4 boys, so my thoughts of re-using the envelopes were quite misguided).
Which led me to design my advent calendar last year.
Progressive Pouch Advent
I wanted a calendar that would build anticipation visually (like the disappearing twist envelopes, or like mini ornaments added to the felt tree on the calendar we had growing up), but I loved the idea of including scriptures, activities or events (or mini LEGO models) as well. So this is what I came up with.
Each day we open a pocket to find a treat or an activity for the day, and reveal more of the “Have a Merry Christmas” phrase.
The pockets and flaps are all made out of sparkly felt. After deciding how big I wanted the calendar((to fit perfectly in its spot on my wall) I did some math and cut long strips to make the pockets. I marked on the base fabric and the felt then sewed between each pocket before sewing along the bottoms, putting in pleats (so the pockets could hold a little something). The flaps were a bit more tedious since they had to be cut out and sewn on individually, and I had to be careful that I didn’t sew down the tops of the pockets as I attached them, but I love the scalloped look of them all together.
The base is two pieces of home-decor-weight fabric with thin batting in-between. I used red bias tape to bind the layers together. I had plans for loops or something to hang it with but in the end just tacked it to my wall with small nails.
I used sticky-backed felt letters for the “Merry Christmas” message, and freehanded the numbers and snowflakes with some puffy fabric paint.
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Thank you, Trina! Aren’t those great ideas for unique advent calendars? I love how the message appears in the felt one. You might be able to come up with a paper version if you aren’t comfortable sewing. Do you have a unique advent calendar? I’d love to see it!
And here’s the big question…Are you ready for December?
(Ready or not, here we come!)
I wish I was that talented!
Happy blogoversary 🙂
I LOVE this. I’m going to try and make it for this year. I love that the pockets button for my little peekers! Thanks for the perfect inspiration. I know it took a lot of work, but will be durable!