So we have this little tradition that we’ve used over the years in our home
Don’t ask me how… it just did. Somehow, we had one that we use in the mornings during school…
And another in the afternoon to declare what we’re doing that night.
They’re these easy little advent calendars. Both handmade. One of them completely free here with the little printable pieces. Both completely doable. So today, I thought I’d share again.
If you’re anything like us, you know how absolutely astounding it is that they grow so fast. Just looking back at the photos taken of my oldest two years ago from the photos below {all of them really} is blowing my mind. One day, I know we’ll look back and have the fondest little memories of holidays at home. I hope they look back at a lot of things and say, “Do you remember when we did that?”
So here’s a few I wanted to share, in case you want to start your own little version in your fam. It really is the sweetest to see them get so excited… even if we do slack off some days and forget. Because let’s be honest… some days we forget. I think the holidays can be totally overwhelming if we let them… the important thing is to breathe deep and pick what’s important and roll with it. Those are the things memories are made of, when everyone is having fun.
Life’s too short not to make it fun.
So without further ado: Advent Calendars.
First up: Our Refrigerator Advent
We love the idea of advent calendars, but with limited wall space, we’re never quite sure where to put them.
We have one flanking our refrigerator, and it’s the perfect fit for a new little tradition around here that we thought would be fun. Without much of the fuss.
It’s a free advent calendar, y’all!
We’re a little slow with decking the halls this year, and won’t have anything up ’til well after Thanksgiving… partially because we’re dorks and like sticking to that, and partially because of a few things we’ve had going on. But we wanted to get this little advent out to you guys, in case you wanted to use it, too.
Each day comes with a different watercolor art selection {designed by us} and a family activity.
We tried to keep the activities simple, and not-so-overwhelming. We believe in less is more for the holidays. But the beauty of it, is that each day, you can pick your own, and even repeat a few if you wish. We tried to strike a nice balance with fun things, and those that were thoughtful with others in mind. You can edit and reuse as you wish…
And if those don’t float your boat, we provided blank activities as well, so you can customize them for your family.
Even if you don’t necessarily celebrate Christmas but like doing things together this winter, this could still be altered to fit your preferences.
Just a fun little springboard for you guys to use as you wish!
Here’s what we did with them: We simply took a different art piece every day, along with a number, and an activity.
And we slipped them into a baggie {we alternated between polkadot and striped for each day.} – Looks like they don’t have striped anymore but chevron is aavailable- and topped them with a watercolor number. {see below for downloads}
Held up by twine and magnets and a small clip on your fridge {I made some with a little sculpey clay, a small star cutter and some gold leaf paint– (and added a magnet to the back with some hot glue) Just check out this tutorial here and adjust accordingly} it sits oh so nicely on our fridge!
When the day comes, we remove the printables inside – it’s an activity for the family to celebrate {according to whatever you pick} and a little ‘ornament’ to hang on some branches, or wherever you wish.
To make the ‘ornaments’ from the art, you can use a hole punch for the top, or a simple cut with an X-Acto, and just thread it through with more twine.
We added it to a big jar with branches we always have sitting out around the holidays.
Just fun little pieces to get everyone into the spirit for the holidays!
If you’d like, get them here:
Activities: activities 1, activities 2, activities 3, activities 4
And ornaments: adventornaments 1, adventornaments 2, adventornaments 3, adventornaments4
It’s a great way to hedge off the whole how-many-more-days-til-mommy-and-daddy-go-absolutely-bat-crap-crazy-if-they-ask-one-more-time game. ;}
I know you can relate, right???
As always, if you make this one be sure to share with the hashtag #thehandmadehomefreebies on instagram! We’d love to see + feature you! Nothing makes us happier!
Next up: The clay tag advent calendar!
Taking some baking clay (we like this kind the best) and some small fondant cutters (check your baking aisle) and cut out each shape of your choice.
After cutting each piece, we left the imprint of a number: 1-25. And made a small hole at the top with a straw. We scored these little metal numbers on the scrapbooking aisle of our craft store (see this post here) but you can use stamps, cardboard letters… just about anything to leave an imprint.
Once they were baked (make sure they’re lying flat!) use gold paint to fill in your numbers.
We took a 17 1/2 (squared) piece of oak plywood, and sanded it down on the corners, then stained it with two coats of Cabot. Remember that you can have your local hardware guys cut it for you, if you don’t have a saw. This could also be used with a great old frame to display those tags.
We use the same little jar with branches as the first to hang our advent numbers – We just gathered some in a jar painted white and we use them each year.
Then we eyeballed it, and lying it down with little brass nails, we made a hanging spot for each one. When we propped them up, they went a bit haywire because it’s a bit impossible to make it perfect with clay. But that’s part of the charming, off-kilter handmade look.
And from 25 to 1, the days can now count down.
Remove a tag, and stick it on a branch or on your tree. (We just strung some twine through the hole).
Tada! A great little activity with your kids, putting your own spin on it however you wish. Now they know exactly how many more sleeps. In other news, our kids now think Christmas is much closer than it actually is.
I guess we deserve it.
We enjoyed documenting all the little days ’til Christmas.
And the outtakes…
I’m nominating my kids for best facial expressions.
There has to be a Gap Kids model search section somewhere for that, right? It only gets better the older they get.
So there we have it. Our two fave traditions with the Mills kiddos. And something we can’t wait to start again on December 1st!
As always, let us know if you try it!
Have an amazing day!
ellen patton says
#kitchenenvy
Jen says
This is too perfect!! Thank you!!! š
Amanda says
These are SO cute! I am a bit obsessed with advent calendars, and these are fantastic. Thanks for sharing!