It was such a hit with Maddy, Owen, and Cora that I had to do it again this year.
So here it is–our 2010 Advent Activity Calendar–the one that provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our favorite little pieces of the holiday every single day of December, leading up to Christmas Day.
Last year, it was something that got my kids jumping out of bed, brushing their teeth, and running downstairs in a hurry (seriously!) because they were anxious to see what holiday surprises were in store for them that day.
This year we made some slight changes but made sure to include some of our favorites from previous years.
- Advent Activity Calendar: The purpose of our Advent Activity Calendar is to help us remember to do all of the things we love to do during the holiday season.
It’s filled with special holiday-related events, special little reminders to be especially giving or kind on certain days, and little silly surprise gifts now and again.
The Advent Activity Calendar is here to download as a pdf or it can be downloaded as a Word document here (Advent Activity Calendar–Word doc) so others can make it their own.
our brainstorming cards
One day at breakfast last week, I asked Maddy, Owen, and Cora to tell me all of their favorite things to do during the Christmas holiday. We wrote their ideas on small index cards, and I was sure to include all–or most–of what they mentioned on the final draft of the calendar.
Our Advent Activity Calendar is one of our favorite parts of the season!
We included some new events, including Zoo Lights at the National Zoo (which is free this year!) and a Breakfast with Santa at our church.
I added a day to talk about Hanukkah, a day for baking cookies, and a day for preparing gifts for a family in need.ย We will set aside one day for writing Holiday Notes for our family and time to make ornaments for gifts.ย ย We’ll make sure to drink hot cocoa and look at photo albums of past Christmases, we’ll drive around our ‘hood to see the lights, and we’ll wear silly holiday socks one day.
Maddy, Owen, and Cora loved the Kissing Reindeer Hunt last year, so I added that along with my famous snowman pancakes–but for dinner one night the week before Santa arrives.
It’s a pretty good mix of events that promote the spirit of the holiday and activities that are silly enough to still get a good laugh from my three tinies.
I will print out two copies of the calendar: one for me to keep as a reference and the other to cut apart and hide in the felt Christmas Tree I picked up at the store last year. I don’t think it needs to be in a tree like mine, though; some friends have cut apart the calendar and put the squares in separate envelopes or boxes to be opened each day.ย Some have told me that they hid a square each morning for their kids to find!ย Any way works, and I’m curious as to how your family makes it your own.
Woo-hoo! The holiday season is upon us, and we’re going to enjoy it!ย Hope you do, too!
Love the actual printed calendar and cutting out the squares. Great idea! Just posted our Advent calendar ideas on my blog, too. ‘Tis the season!
thanks, Julie! Can’t wait to check yours out–thanks for sharing and many thanks for reading!
CUTE! I wish I could sew…Im looking for a cute advent to make for the kids this year! We didnt get to do one last yr ๐
Jolene–Don’t worry about sewing! Put them in cute envelopes and hang them from a garland or something!
ooo…good idea mama! I like your thinking! ๐
Thanks so much for this! I just downloaded the pdf and I can’t wait to sit for a second and put it all together! ๐
We do this too! We have one of those countdown calendars with the doors you open, and I tuck a note in each day. It’s nice to see someone else’s list for ideas – thanks for sharing!
Love it! That’s such a great idea, Genna–to put a little note in each door! There are so many ways to cross this bridge and make the season fun and meaningful! Many thanks for reading!
Hi – You have a blog award waiting at http://www.craftingwithmygirls.blogspot.com. Thanks for sharing all your ideas!
thanks so much, Victoria! Can’t wait to go check it out!
many thanks for reading, my friend!
Love this, thanks, Amy!
thanks a ton, my friend! hope you are well!
What a great authenic writing activity to have them write down their ideas first on their brainstorming cards. I’m going to try and remember this for when my boys get older.
thanks, Jackie!
i love to check your blog!! i learn about christmas advent from YOU! and my kids and i love it !! i m try to download of your calendar advent but i could not type calendar. can you help me with it?
thanks ๐
Katey–
THANK YOU! If you try again but still cannot download it, email me–[email protected]–and I’ll send it to you directly.
:*)
Many thanks for your kind words!
amy
i tried email you but it come failure notice. here my email is [email protected]
thanks Katey
just sent it your way, Katey!
Love it! Where’d you get the great felt tree advent calendar? I know it was a couple years ago but I’d love to find a similar one.
Corinne!
Thank you!! I found the tree at HomeGoods or TJMaxx a few years ago, but I bet if you google ‘felt Advent tree’ you may find a similar one. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!!