We have holiday traditions- decorate the tree together, watch Home Alone and Home Alone 2, go to Christmas Eve service and eat a delicious dinner at Guadalajara, etc. However, this year, I thought I'd use some Pinterest inspiration to make one of those cute advent calendars that can last for years! I think it will be a fun tradition for Leah as she grows up.
So I looked through the ideas for activities on Pinterest and wrote down the ones that we could do. Then I wrote them out on a numbered list (1-24). Keep in mind when doing this what day of the week things will fall on. For instance, I know we are more likely to do some bigger things on Saturdays. Also, my mom always signs us up to decorate a gingerbread house at the church, so I made sure that was on the right day.
Keep your activities general- Instead of "Watch Home Alone," I put "Watch a movie." Instead of "Make a handprint wreath," I put "Make a Christmas craft." You get it. Also, a few things are repeated.
Here is my list:
1-Decorate the tree
2-Set up the Nativity scene
3-Decorate the inside of our house
4-Read a Christmas book as a family
5-Invite the neighbors over for dinner
6-Make gifts for grandparents
7- Read or tell the Christmas Bible Story
8-Make a gingerbread house
9-Make breakfast together
10-Make a Christmas craft
11-Make marshmallows
12-Go on a family outing
13-Read a Christmas book as a family
14-Make neighbor gifts
15-Deliver neighbor gifts
16-Put old toys in a sack to donate
17-Wrap presents
18-Watch a movie together
19-Write a letter to Santa
20-Make a birthday card for Jesus
21-Go look at Christmas lights
22-Read or tell the Christmas Bible story
23-Watch a movie together
24-Go to church and eat a yummy dinner
Here are my activities cards.
I cut 24 3"x1" pieces of cardstock in 3 different colors. Then I used a white scrapbooking marker to write the activities. I then cut 24 2.5"x .75" pieces of coordinating paper for the tops. Next, I used a tiny bit of glue to attach them. I used my NEW Purple Cow laminator (bought for $20 at Costco!) to laminate the cards.
For the board, you will need:
1 piece of 24"x 12" plywood
24 mini clothespins
spray paint in a coordinating color
bottle of acrylic paint in coordinating color
small embellishments
a spool of coordinating ribbon
hot glue gun (I also used mini glue dots and spray adhesive)
Modge Podge (I used matte finish)
1. Paint the board with the acrylic paint (you can use spray paint, but I had ivory paint on hand). Make sure you paint the edges.
2. Glue the ribbon to the edges of your board. I used spray adhesive on the front and hot glue on the back.
3. Spray paint your clothespins. Don't worry about the back, but make sure to get every visible surface.
4. For the numbers, I used my Cricut to cut .75" circles. You could make any small shape. Then, I used my white marker to write the numbers. I laminated these also. I attached them with a glue dot.
5. Once all of your pieces are dry, place the clothespins (with cards) on the board until you are happy with their placement. I used hot glue to attach them to the board.
6. Modge Podge your embellishments in desired places.
Here is the finished product!
I am planning to attach it to the wall with Command strips. It is very light. However, you could attach ribbon to the back also to hang it on a nail.
I am excited to try it out! Come on December!
