How to make an
Advent Calendar
full of fun and service activities
for your family
I am a brand ambassador for Oriental Trading Company.
I was sent products in exchange for this post.
____________________
In our family, we've done lego advent calendars for years,
but my kids are getting a little older now (sniff)
and have kind of grown out of the lego stage.
I needed a different idea because they still want to do
some sort of advent calendar daily.
So like any good DIY'er, I made my own.
I found these cute, mini blank white stockings
at Oriental Trading.
I dusted off my foam stamps
that I haven't used in ages.
I brushed on regular acrylic craft paint onto
the stamp
and pressed it onto the stocking.
Repeat x 24.
I hung a strand of lights above my tv
because let's be honest, the tv is a focal point in my house.
Then using ornament hooks,
I hung the stockings on the light strand.
To go inside the stockings, I used ideas for fun activities, prizes and
suggestions for service opportunities.
I got the service ideas from my church's
#lighttheworld campaign.
It has wonderful suggestions for serving
during the holiday season
whether you're a member of the LDS faith or not.
I picked up some kraft tags and bakers twine.
On the tags I wrote the daily activities.
I put a simple service idea on almost every
day, along with a scriptural reference.
Then I tied a little bakers twine to the tag.
I stuck the tags in each of the stockings.
Here is the list of Advent ideas that are on the tags:
1. make a Christmas countdown chain
2. decorate the fridge (Christmas magnets included)
3. Facetime out of town family, journal about something you learned at church
4. write a letter to Santa, do something nice for the neighbors
5. do something kind for someone in the family
6. while wearing Christmas socks, sing and dance to Christmas music
7. read in the scriptures about the birth and life of Jesus
8. if someone upsets you, instead of getting mad, just smile.
9. visiting someone in the hospital or someone who could use a visit
10. share your favorite scripture on social media
11. take something to or make a $ donation to a shelter
12. send a card to someone that could use some cheer
13. buy or make a gift for your teacher
14. Do RAK around town: $ taped to Redbox,
buy drinks for someone behind you in drive thru,
put $ in salvation army bucket,
leave candycanes and nice notes on cars
15. forgive someone you are upset with
16. lay under the Christmas tree and say something nice about
everyone in the family
17. make/decorate cookies, deliver to others
18. eat dinner by candlelight with no electronics
19. do a Christmas craft
20. donate 3 items
21. invite someone over for dinner
22. decorate gingerbread houses
23. take a family photo in front of the tree
24. go look at Christmas lights
I found some cute little stocking stuffers
to go along with the activities.
I put all of the bulky items that go along with the advent calendar
in brown paper bags.
This box will be stored near the advent calendar.
If you don't already have one,
make a fun DIY advent calendar for your family
this Christmas!
linking up to: Make it Pretty Monday
