Hey hey friends! We’re thrilled to be here today with some of our fave sites, to share a fun, easy free printable idea! A free advent calendar.
The moment Halloween ends, the world explodes into glitter and snowflakes while Michael Bublé officially defrosts to join Mariah Carey in all our playlists.
I guess you could say I’m a summer forever kinda gal, so I try to keep the pumpkin vignettes to September. But once I give in and enjoy fall, I’m here for it. It’s all about Christmas. This year, I’m a reformed holiday purist, and if I’m going to all the trouble I’d like to enjoy it for a while. That, and it’s 2020 so I think we could all use a little fun, colorful joy in our lives.
Over the years, we’ve made quite a few advent calendars. I guess you could say I’ve done a few of them as our kids grow up. So we have a little something for a few different ages and preferences.
You can see them all here if you’d like to pick and choose, from projects to printables there are some fun options, for sure!
• refrigerator advent calendar with little ornaments + projects for families
-free printables if you’re short on space
• clay tag advent calendar – great for a simple smaller handmade idea
• another version of this, two years ago.
-Below is a bit of a revised version, but be sure to check it out too.
As I mentioned above, this is a twist on something I created year before last, and I love that it revolves around family.
These are conversation pieces for around the table. Every night at dinner time, starting on December 1st, we count down Christmas with each card.
Our middle child, {daughter} loves it. She lives for dinner. She loves opening up an envelope each night, and talking about it with all of us.
Our other children, {sons} not so much. Because this is more of a challenge for them. I think they enjoy it too, but it’s not something that comes easy to them.
Each night comes with a different question. Some are deep, some are simple.
But at the end of the day, this makes them exercise that vulnerability muscle. It’s a great way to initiate some great dinner time conversations and bring your family together.
It teaches our kids that it’s okay to have safe discussions. Even if you disagree.
Some of them really challenge them to think beyond themselves, too. We’ve had some amazing conversations at Christmas over the last few years, so it was really exciting to put this {revised} edition together this year. Some are simple, some are deep. Some are interesting + give each member of the conversation something to learn about.
I think that this year, we’ll be pairing each night with an item to gather up for a family in need. And slowly collect it to give away. We’ll wrap that part up well before Christmas of course, but it will be nice to think about giving beyond ourselves. Especially this year.
It simply requires some A6 envelopes – 4.75 x 6.5. {We like (affiliate link) this little collection here for a nice color variety.}
And then you print out the rest, available below.
I printed and cut out each number and it was ready to go.
Want them?
Get them here: {more than 25 so you can pick your faves} – I’ve listed the subject matter here to make browsing easier
1.something that helps you feel better
2. describe your perfect day
3. something valuable you’ve learned this year
4. one of your earliest memories
5. fave thing about the holidays + if you could change one thing
6. best/worst part of your day
7. grateful
8. fave smell
9. something about yourself you’re really proud of
10. something about yourself you really like
11. stood up for someone/helped someone
12. name something you’d like to improve on
13. something you’d like to ask/how can you be a better person
14. honesty
15. love about every person here
16. when you grow up
17. someone in need
18. act of kindness
19. chore
20. makes you feel loved
21. faced something challenging – moving forward
22. kindness
23. failure
24. reason for the holidays
25. fave holiday memory
26. compliments
27. travel
We even have a blank option to write some of your own ideas in! Or better yet, get the family to participate and surprise each other with fun ideas.
Simply print and cut and put them in whichever order you like. We may do a few of those, too.
Then put them in the envelopes and seal them up!
This year, I placed the advent calendar in our entryway, right beside our kitchen table.
I used some scotch tape to brace it on the back, along with some multi colored washi tape on the front for that fun Christmas, packaged feel.
Check out the how to for our easy memo board here – an oldie but goodie. It’s still fun to use for different things every now and again!
Oh! And before I forget:
This simple pom pom garland is recycled from last year, but we got it here.
+ I made a simple bell garland from these here. They sound so fun!
So if you have older kiddos, let us know if you use it. Ours are now 11, 12 + 15.
The boys joke around that they don’t like it very much, but we know that it’s a good exercise for the whole family.
More of our fun friends are participating by sharing some of their fave Christmas ideas today!
Be sure to check them all out here!
Today I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for our first Christmas Seasonal Simplicity post of the year. We’re all sharing our holiday DIY or craft projects with you today! Be sure to check out these fabulous ideas by clicking on the links below each image.
How to Flock Natural Greenery at The Happy Housie
DIY Winter Village Wreath at Modern Glam
DIY Christmas Jingle Bells Hanging Decoration at Zevy Joy
Modern Organic Christmas Wreath at Cherished Bliss
Air Dry Clay Christmas Star Lights at Clean & Scentsible
Anthropologie Inspired Holiday Felt Wreath at Tatertots and Jello
Polymer Clay Christmas Village at Life is a Party
Free Advent Calendar at The Handmade Home
Embroidery Hoop Love Sign at Craftberry Bush
Jingle Bell Wood Bead Garland at Lolly Jane
Homemade Pom Pom Garland at Sincerely, Marie Designs
DIY Dollar Tree Succulent Christmas Tree at The DIY Mommy
DIY Christmas Advent Calendar at She Gave it a Go
DIY Faux Leather Trees at My Sweet Savannah
DIY Orange Hoop Wreath at Cassie Bustamante
Easy DIY Christmas Pillow Case at The Tattered Pew
3D Hot Cocoa Sign and Printable at Rambling Renovators
DIY Elf House at Dans le Lakehouse
Farmhouse Style Holiday Wood Banner at Home Made Lovely
Joanna Gaines Inspired Christmas Village at Fynes Designs
Christmas Canvas at Two Twenty One
Modern Whimsical Snowflake Christmas Tree at This is Simplicite
DIY Holiday Cutting Board at Joanna Anastasia
If you make it, we’d love to hear.
Have an inspired day!
love this so much- i love the idea of actions- we’ve done that before and it’s so much fun! Of course, last year I was lazy and tired and bought the trader joe’s chocolate calendar. Ha!
what a great idea! So fun, colorful and festive too.
These are great! Thank you! Anything that gets the kids talking is gold! Pinned!
I love this idea Ashley! And love your colors as always!
These are SO cute! I am a bit obsessed with advent calendars, and these are fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this cute and fun advent calendar idea! I love the idea of counting down the days until Christmas and adding a little bit of holiday cheer to my daily routine. This free printable advent calendar is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and add some excitement to the lead-up to Christmas. I can’t wait to print it out and start using it to count down the days!
I love advent calendars and this one is so colorful!