Hey hey friends! We created this last year and we wanted to share it here today just in time for all things holidays: 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. We think it’s totally okay to cherish both holidays without neglecting the other.
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 we’ve all been through a lot, 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.
So if you have older kiddos, let us know if you use it. Ours are now 12, 13 + 16.
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.
If you make it, we’d love to hear.
Have an inspired day!
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