Advent Activity Calendar DIY

I made Sebastian this Advent Activity Calendar two years ago in hopes of creating extra special memories throughout the month of December. It's a way to help us be more intentional with our time and our thoughts as we move through such a frenzied, hectic, exciting time of year and a way to teach them about the anticipation of Christmas!

I wrote about it on my old blog but wanted to repost the basic instructions again here:

I started with some gray wool that I found in a bargain bin last year and cut it to measure about 16" x 24". I hemmed the edges and made a pocket hem for the top edge in order to hang it on a rod (or stand in ruler). I found my cream felt and cut five rows so that they would fit my allotted space and pinned them down. I then sewed down all three outer edges of each felt panel.

After measuring the distance needed for five spaces each, I stitched lines to create pockets. I then carefully hand cut felt numbers and glued them on with tacky glue. Finally, I cut an old ruler down to size using a serrated kitchen knife because I never have any dowel rods on hand, and added a pom-pom hanger.

Next, I cut down 25 individual cards from scrapbook paper I've saved, rounded off the corners, and arranged them so that they looked mixed up. Then I made a list of all of the activities I could do with Sebastian (and now Ruby) or that we could do as a family to make each day this month a little more special. I thought about which days lent themselves to simple activities like making brownies and which days we could do something more specific such as enjoying the bounce house at the YMCA this Friday. Most of the activities will cost nothing or very little but will surely keep us focused on enjoying each other during the holidays.

This year's Advent Activity list:

Bake Christmas cookies, watch a movie at Grandma Cheryl's house, make brownies, pick out a board game to play, an extra 20 minutes of screen time, hang paper chains, visit the North Pole at Bass Pro and see Santa Claus, paint ornaments, make pizza at home, build a gingerbread house, build a fort on mama's bed & read books all evening, make a ton of paper snowflakes, buy new snow boots just in case, drive around looking at Christmas lights, read two or three Christmas stories, make hot chocolate and marshmallows, make a present for someone, find a Salvation Army bell ringer and drop off $5 in dimes, mail out post cards to people we love, surprise friends with sweet treats, watch Home Alone I, watch Home Alone II, get Daddy at the airport, pancakes for breakfast!

I've organized activities according to our schedule so that weekends get more time intensive activities and the busiest weeknights get the simplest activities. I've learned from the past two years not to get too ambitious lest I miss the point and create the busyness I'm trying to avoid. We've sent a chocolate advent calendar to Brett to help him enjoy the countdown to coming home two days before Christmas!

Do you do an advent calendar?

xo,

Rachel

Other Holiday DIYS from Smile and Wave

*Flower Bauble Wreath

* Holiday Door Mat

* Scalloped Felt Wreath

Comments

[lydeebee]

love this!! definitely making one of these!!

[Rae Veda]

This is so fun! I absolutely love this idea. xo, rv

http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/

[grace]

love love love this, i've been seeing so many cute bought and DIY version of advent calendars lately and i'm dying to have one of my own :)

Grace
http://herumbrella.com

[Nissa]

Yes! We love our advent calendar which contains a mix of activities like you listed, small treats (like stickers & art supplies) & a little candy too. The kids really look forward to it each day.

[landi]

Thank you for sharing this idea, it is lovely xx

[Lisa]

what a lovely way to make christmas more special!

www.contentwhateverthecircumstances.blogspot.com

[Sarah Rooftops]

What a lovely idea! I wish someone would make this for me!

[Martina]

I'm 20 years old and live with friends (not my family), but every year my mom still makes me an advent calendar. We used to have little bags hanging up the stairs with little presents in them (like chocolates, or a sachet of hot chocolate or a face mask), and now I get a plastic bag full of little presents up until the day I've said I'm coming home for Christmas. The rest still hang in bags on the stairs ;) she's the sweetest!

[Faith @ Ordinary Mommy Design]

We have never done an advent calendar before, but I decided that we're definitely doing one next year! Can't wait to dream ours up!

[liz]

I love this! Creative and unique.

[Little Gray Pixel]

I've never had an advent calendar before, but I think next year we will do this. I like the idea of doing an activity more than finding a present or piece of chocolate!

[Carrie Ellegaard]

Oh, I've always wanted an advent calendar! This is the cutest!!

[Zane]

love it

[Katie]

This is so cute!

[tinyparticlesoflight]

So wonderful!!

xo
cortnie

[Jenny]

Finished ours a couple of days ago. We have been enjoying different activities, treats, Christmas movies. I haven't done this before,but it really is nice to enjoy each December day celebrating together during the craziness that the holidays bring at times.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allmystitchesandbows/6448980601/

[ruthie]

my favorite advent calendar I've seen! you have great ideas for stuff to do, too.

[Shannon]

How cute!!! I love it.

http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

[Lindsay]

I did the same thing + blogged about it :) Except I didn't make mine this year :) We're using the one I used as a little girl :)
http://dailydoily.typepad.com/peaceloveandcupcakes/2011/12/it-all-started-in-2009-this-year-i-printed-a-calendar-to-try-to-do-the-more-time-consuming-things-on-the-weekend-the-ea.html

[Julie]

Aww this is so cute! My grandma had one almost just like it that she made. Maybe I will make one myself now =)

http://julies-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

[Naomi]

I love the idea of daily activities for the advent calendar! It never even crossed my mind! Something to file away for when I have a little family.
Also...I'm so happy Home Alone is on your list. ;)

[melissa lee]

i just made an advent calendar for our family of four. activities are the best way to fill your calendar! cuz holidays are all about spending time together and its an excuse to go do fun stuff:)

[Elizabeth]

I don't have a specific advent calendar, but try to do some of the same sorts of things you're mentioning here to make the days more special. Can I say a special thank you for this? I have found many of the crafty advent calendars to be getting more and more over-wrought each year and find it excessive - some of these kids are getting more for Advent than many will get on Christmas day! It all seems too much and doesn't seem like it would be good for the kids. I love that you are focusing on doing things with your kids instead. And thanks for listing your ideas - very helpful!

[Nicolette Lafonseca]

I love the idea of this having activities it is well and truely in the spirit of christmas xo

[Darlene]

Such a sweet idea!

[Christy]

Rachel, I absolutely love this idea! I don't have children yet, but this is definitely going into my "future Christmas with the kids" folder. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Tertia]

Oooh this is lovely :) Where did you get the beautiful card/paper that your daily quests are written on?! It's perrrrfect!! xx

[Rebekah]

This is certainly one of the prettiest Advent Calendars I have ever seen! No kids in my house, so I suppose I would just have to fill mine with candy...

-BekahDrey

http://bekahdrey.blogspot.com

[Lauren]

I LOVE this idea. I think it's so much better than just a candy advent calendar. I think these activities would be so much fun for kids and bring everybody closer during the holidays. I blogged about it!

http://mycalicoskies.blogspot.com/

[Alex]

I love this calendar! Such a great idea!