Making Advent Calendars

The popularity of Advent Calendars in my house is an annual tradition. Starting with the timely classic of a small card or foldout - little windows are opened each day as we countdown to Christmas. A few years ago, Trader Joe's began selling the ones with chocolate candy for 99 cents. A veritable bargain. Lately, I have been receiving many emails about making calendars – some are very creative and give the entire family an opportunity to have fun while counting away the days.

Here are a few that I thought would be fun to tackle:

 Stonewall Kitchen

Stonewall Kitchen offers a few great tips on re-purposing household items to make very creative calendars. They are also offering a tip per day - so this is a great newsletter to sign-up for.

 

 Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart and her elves always have a craft to do with Advent. From a miniature chest of drawers made from matchbooks to baby socks to charming ornaments, This link offers several delightful ways to present a daily quote, scripture verse or photo. Of course, a small piece of candy is yummy!

 

Jenny Harris at All Sorts Makery

This one has been on my to-do list for a while and I might tackle it this year - now that my kids can hep with the stitching. Jenny Harris is an extraordinary crafter and illustrator. This whimsical calendar of pockets would be an awesome tradition in any home. Follow the link above for step-by-step instructions of this adorable project.

Making an Advent calendar that's sure to become a treasured family keepsake is a great way to countdown the days to Christmas. Setting up an Advent calendar this weekend will provide a joyful reminder of the arrival of Christmas!