Family Advent Calendar

How to make an
Advent Calendar
full of fun and service activities
for your family

stockings, service ideas, advent, calendar, christmas countdown



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.


foam stamps, paint, stocking, advent calendar


I found these cute, mini blank white stockings


foam stamps, stockings, advent


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.


hang with ornament hooks, stockings, numbers


Then using ornament hooks,
I hung the stockings on the light strand.


stamped numbers, foam stamps, paint, blank stockings



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.


write service ideas on tags, paper tags, advent calendar


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.


service, tags, stockings, advent, Christmas


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

stocking stuffers, advent calendar

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