Show me your Advent Calendars...

[MandaT]

We're starting a new tradition this year, & having an advent calendar...

Show me yours, I need some inspiration, I've got our list of things to do narrowed down, but haven't decided on how we're going to display it.

[SmallMoments]

I blogged about mine on Penny's blog.

[jannylynn]

Not very crafty but I bought this at Kohl's this year:



And we are doing a Jesse Tree this year too. Darcy Baldwin blogged about it. I love the idea.

[mummytothree]

I finally finished putting mine together tonight!!!! *PHEW* Now I just need to "stuff it". Our's is more a count down to Christmas with a special activity for every day and I think I'll put some special candies in just the days that fall on Saturday & Sunday!!!







This is based on the one that was featured on Zoe's Blog last year by Lindy, but I modified it and split it in two since I have little ones that are grabby and I didn't want them ripping it down!!!

[Darcy Baldwin]

Here's our main one on my blog - easier to link than to explain a Jesse Tree again

And this is a fun gift one where we put little treats, family fun activities, and some service projects for the Advent season.

[kscwgirl]

This is mine..

[schock77]

Originally Posted by kscwgirl

This is mine..

Oh I LOVE that one.... I need a new one as my old one went kaput! And this would make it REALLY easy for me... Nice! Now to be sure I have enough ideas...

[MandaT]

These are awesome... keep em' coming. LOVE crafty ideas.

[juliemarie]

Mine is just a countdown to Christmas, with magnets on the back of each sqaure

[Keely~B]

One for each of my girls.

[marnel]

I never knew what this was... seriously it's not something my Family and I did or grew up doing w/my Family.
But know that I know what it is.. We are so going to do it

[jaylensmom]

Originally Posted by marnel

I never knew what this was... seriously it's not something my Family and I did or grew up doing w/my Family.
But know that I know what it is.. We are so going to do it

My family didn't do it either but now that I have a son I started it with him last year...

[wvasweetness]

Mine isn't scrappy, but I'm recreating the Pottery Barn tree one out of felt. It might not be finished until next year, tho!

[jaylensmom]

this is mine but i didn't use the match boxes...it's more of a countdown to christmas...

[MamaBee]

Here is mine...

[jannylynn]

Total Cuteness!!!!

Originally Posted by MamaBee

Here is mine...

[jaylensmom]

Originally Posted by MamaBee

Here is mine...

i agree with janny...total cuteness...

[MandaT]

Here's what we ended up with for this year. We're doing ours as a countdown to Christmas, with something special to do as a family every day.



Here is our list, in order:
Make paper and glitter snowflakes, then decorate the house.
Make holiday placemats to use for the month.
Color Christmas pictures from color books and printouts.
Visit Santa and take pictures with him
Make a paper chain garland for the tree or to decorate the house.
Adopt a family from the Giving Tree and pick out their gifts.
Decorate a mini-mailbox and write letters to Santa.
Make Styrofoam snowmen
Make ornaments
Have a family movie night, with popcorn and treats, while watching the Grinch.
Decorate Gingerbread houses and paper Gingerbread people with Grampa and Grammy Lynn.
Go Sledding
Make Christmas cards and send them to someone special.
Read a couple Christmas stories.
Have a slumber party under the Christmas tree.
It’s PJ day, we’re not getting dressed today
It’s crazy sock game night, invite some friends to play too.
Bake and decorate Christmas cookies and treats with Fum-Fum and Jerry.
Dress up and have a fancy, formal dinner, invite some friends or family to join us.
We’re having s’mores for dessert while we watch a Christmas movie.
Make magic reindeer food and a note to leave for Rudolph.
Wrap Christmas presents.
Drive into town and look at Christmas lights, don’t forget your cup of cocoa.
Read Night Before Christmas and leave Santa a plate of cookies, some carrots for his reindeer.
It’s Jesus’ Birthday Read Luke 2 in the Bible and talk about the real meaning of today.

Thank you all so much for your ideas & inspirations.

[MandaT]

So creative. Love it.

Originally Posted by MamaBee

Here is mine...

[Sarah8914]

thanks for the ideas amanda! I think we'll do that!

[NettieB]

I go a bit overboard - I'm making a Jesse Tree now - and we do the below. The envelopes are mostly for DH and me and our advent devotional - DS is 3 so advent is a little more about the stars; and LEGOs as a reward after celebrating the advent at night ...

Best site I've found for advent resources... http://www.teachingmom.com/features/advent.html




by Amber Clegg and Jacque Larsen @ the-Lilypad

[mom2boys]

Mine isn't crafty; the kiddos {3.5 & almost 7} are really into lego right now so we picked up this:



But when I was growing up my mom had a fabric one that hung on the basement door & it had a little mouse that my brothers & I took turns moving each day. My mom also put treats in each pouch {usually Laura Secord Suckers} ~ while only one of us could move the mouse each day we all got a sucker!!

[Amber1279]

I am using ones that I made in past years.

[joelsgirl]

Check out this one by Emily Merritt:
http://icreatewithlove.blogspot.com/

[luckyme]

You gotta check this matchbox advent calendar out! Such a great idea:
http://www.justagirlblog.com/2010/12...=Google+Reader

[tborntreger]

Rebecca, yours has just totally blown me away!! Beautiful. I started trying to make mine a month ago..(should have started months ago) and I have put so much into it and I think I've pretty much ruined it but know I will not finish. Sad...just sad.

[Jenn Barrette]

Originally Posted by joelsgirl

Check out this one by Emily Merritt:
http://icreatewithlove.blogspot.com/

Her tree is amazing!! I so want to make that felt garland, but I don't have a sewing machine