Each year I try to do some sort of fun thing for Advent. This year we’re doing a combination of things. First, I made these cute little numbered ornaments for our Advent activities.
Click here to download the Advent Ornaments
You simply print and punch out with a 2” circle punch. Then using mini-clothespins attach each one to a mini-Christmas tree or a string of garland.
Each day we take one down and do whatever activity is on the back. For this you can print my activities on the backs (they are included in the download) or you can print just the ornaments and write in your own activities.
Last year we did The Jesse Tree, so this year I ordered some Make your own Advent Candles and Bartholomew’s Passage. I have to say that these candles didn’t come with any instructions, so if you’re a newbie like me here are some instructions on making Beeswax Candles!
We’ll light the candles each night as we read a chapter from our book. If you’re not up for purchasing a new book, you can always read any Christmas Story and on Christmas Eve read Luke 1-2. If you’re curious…here’s our activity list for our Advent Ornaments:
1. Candle lit bubble bath!
2. Make paper snowflakes & decorate!
3. Fill Operation Christmas Child Boxes
4. Make personalized Christmas Ornaments
5. The Minivan Express
6. Rootbeer floats tonight!
7. Bake something yummy!
8. Make Christmas Cards for friends/family
9. Have hot chocolate and marshmallows
10. Make a pipe cleaner candy cane craft
11. Make Christmas Star Paper Chain
12. Make Candy Ornaments
13. Use Puppets to tell a bedtime story
14. Family Game Night
15. Make Gingerbread house with Nana
16. Dance and sing to Christmas Music
17. Make a christmas craft
18. Dress Fancy for dinner tonight
19. Wrap Christmas Presents
20. Watch “It’s a wonderful Life”
21. At home pedicures!
22. Watch a Christmas movie with popcorn
23. Read or Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
24. Make birthday cake for Jesus!
25. Merry Christmas! Open presents!
Here are some more Christmas Ideas:
- The ADVENTure of Christmas
- Snowflake Votive Candles
- Felt Christmas Tree
- Sugarcone Christmas Tree
- Gingerbread House
- The Jesse Tree
- Minivan Express Tickets
- Polar Express
- Nativity Scene
- Handprint Ornament
- Monogram Ornament
- Operation Christmas Child
- Paper Cup Rudolph
- Santa Craft
- Beaded Snowflakes
- Paper Snowflakes
- Sparkly Snowflakes
- Tortilla Snowflakes
- Cottonball Snowman
- Marshmallow Snowman
- Stained Glass JesusHope you have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this great stuff! My motto is don't reinvent the wheel, so I love to see what other people are doing and tweak it fit my own family! These ideas are great so we're definitely going to re-use. I also posted a link to your blog in my own blog teamvanhook.blogspot.com ! Thanks sooo much!!Rachel Van Hook 🙂
I keep coming back to this post several times a week! Thank you all your wonderful ideas!!! And the printables!
So creative!! Looking forward to adding this to our advent routine! Is there a way to download this so that I can tweak the activities to fit our family? Many thanks!!!
Looking for Jesse Tree ornaments? I make felt sets! http://www.etsy.com/listing/109692943/jesse-tree-christmas-advent-felt-jesse
Operation Christmas Child already finished their drop off week before Thanksgiving
I just found this page and it’s getting me so excited for the Advent and Christmas season! Thank you, as always, for your amazing ideas. My kids and I just had dinner at Penn Station, trying out the Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, and made Hershey Kiss cookies from your curriculum for dessert. What a fun way to finish out our day of social studies- we have all learned so much this year so far and are enjoying every bit of it. Thanks so much!!
I loved using the Minivan Express tickets last year! My family has really enjoyed making a Jesse Tree for the last few years – this helps us remember the Bible stories that lead up to the birth of Jesus. A couple of years ago a friend and I made up a set of printable ornaments – with a story on one side and an illustration for kids to colour on the other side. These hang great on a garland or a small tree and add so much tradition to the holidays. I’d love you to check our set of ornaments at http://etsy.me/1xzpd78. Thanks and blessings on your Advent season!
Thank you so much for the free download of the numbers. Looks great at home!
Nika