So many awesome Advent ideas … so little time!
I really, really wanted to do something creative this year … and special … and meaningful … but fun. Tall order, huh?
I knew I wouldn’t have time for a crafty-ville project. But definitely wanted something more than a piece of chocolate behind a cardboard door {not that there’s anything wrong with that … we’re doing it AGAIN this year!}. But seriously, I really wanted something special … oh! and that wouldn’t be too time consuming that we wouldn’t commit to it every night.
So when I saw this {and don’t go telling her I talked about her, cuz I’m trying to fly under the stalkerville radar} I thought it would be the perfect thing for our family!
So you need 24 Christmas {or winter related} books. I had the girls start collecting them through the house … and sure enough! 24 of ’em!
Then I wrapped loosely with different colored tissue paper. I also used some stock from my new obsession of Japanese paper tape. I’ve been using that stuff all over the place.
Then I punched out circle cards {with large paper puncher}, and numbered the days.
I also took some old cards and wrote bible verses on them. The verses ranged all over the place, but I mostly tried to keep them simple/short and something the kids could relate to. I also plan to talk to the girls each night about the verse and what it might mean to them. We’ve done two so far, and I’ve enjoyed it. Last night went way better than the night before, so maybe once we get into a routine, it’ll go smoother. And seriously, that could just be plain ol’ naive wishful thinkin’ going on right there.
We decided to let the littlest one go first. So she found #1, opened it and Wynter read the scripture verse. When we were done, we hung the verse on the tree and will try to do that unless the tree gets too full.
Last year was our first year with this small tree in one of the areas of our house. The standard and larger tree is up in the living room. This tree sits right by the girls computer desk and in the middle of the area they walk through and play in the most … so I thought it’d be a perfect spot to keep the advent books.
Here’s to an awesome advent season! What sorts of things have been your favorites? Any traditions out there you’d like to share? I’m all about starting a tradition …
Love this!! (btw i think linking to her site might give you away) I think we might have yet another add to the old Advent calendar tradition (I just wrote my post last night and went and amended it now to link to this post re: my Bible verse borrowing!) :-)
Gah! I was just lamenting the fact that you and Heather and I never did tackle our advent calendar project . . . but I’m loving this one. Love the idea of wrapping the books up . . . but even more so the bible verse idea. I know what I’ll be doing tonight. I’m not too late, right?! Thanks for the inspiration and the nudge to do something important!
Great idea and what a way to every day remember the true meaning of Christmas!!!
Really great idea!
this is what i have to say about advent: it gets my kids out of bed in the morning (just to open a little unicef paper flap!), it helps me get my heart ready (not focus on the mayhem that is the commercial holiday season), it actually helps me remember the day & look forward to Christmas. this year, i will bring felt supplies to our Christmas celebrations and let the kids make them (with their cousins) for next year’s homemade Advent Calendar. then as they take the felt objects from their pockets and put them on the felt tree, they’ll remember making them and the memories we made. sorry so long. xoxo pam strohl
tracie, do you have recommendations for felt and craft supplies???
I love your idea of hanging the BIBLE verses on the tree each night! How absolutely sweet that by Christmas you’ll have a tree covered in Gods love and blessings!!!
Thanks for your shout out too— :):) It’s great to meet ya!
Every Christmas Eve we would make a birthday cake for Jesus. It was so much fun for us kids (especially decorating), and a great way to talk about the meaning of Christmas. After opening presents the next day, we’d sing “Happy Birthday” and eat cake!
Thank you SO much for posting this. I have been praying for God to show me ways to incorporate more of HIM into our CHRISTmas season this year with my little ones and the ideas you have shared on your site are an answer to prayer! Thank you for sharing them and God Bless!
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I found your RAK post on Pinterest which has also led me here and all through your delightful blog. I get so emotional when I find posts like these in a world so consumed with greed and self importance it is so uplifting and touching to find people like you out there. You are truly an inspiration! I want to thank you for providing proof that people are still capable of true selflessness and good. May you and your family be blessed each and every day and may your “teachings” spread like a wildfire through the world. Thank you. :-)
Cool idea! Reminds me of something I saw on pinterest a little while back. I’m going to try something similar with my own spin :)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13