Advent calendars

I am going to do one this year finally, but I would like to hear ideas from you.

For those that have done one or do it...what types of things do you do for each day before Xmas? My calendar will have a box for each day...a small one...so I'll have to write something down verses housing objects. HELP! I'm new to the idea.

Did you search the gallery??? I remember seeing some cute ideas in there!

We have two advent calendars. In the one with the little boxes, half are little candies, and the other half are activities we do as a family. Play a game, watch a Christmas movie, make cookies, do a craft...

The other is actually a big box. I wrap up 25 Christmas books and each night we pick one from the box, open it, and read it! I love that tradition the most!

I like that idea of the book!!! Also the other ideas are great too! Thanks!

I would love to do this! It's too short of notice for me to begin, and I'm a novice, but maybe next year. Those a great ideas, but I will have time to come up with my combination. I love those calendars.

I made one last year, it was actually a swap I did after Christmas, and it's to put on a cookie sheet. I haven't put it together yet, but I will and then I'll put it in my gallery.

I was thinking of doing an advent countdown too...but was going to use the one from Karen Foster...it's so cool.

Here are some ideas I found today....I have cut them and pasted them here from other sites, so they are not my original ideas.

dental floss
toothbrush
travel size toilettries, shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion
small treats, chocolate, mints, etc
lip gloss
gift cards (small increments)
jewellry from Claire or somewhere like that
hair stuff, barretts, ties, etc

putting a bracelet in the first day, then assorted beads to create a bracelet

chapstick
game tokens
movie tickets
flash drives
key chain
gas money
ear buds for i-Pods
sample sizes of deoderant, toothpaste, mouthwash, hair gel
small packages of chewing gum, mints
mechanical pencil lead refills
mini-highlighters
small post-it note pads
mini-stapler with staple refills

restaurant certificates folded origami style
Small toys
balls
matchbox cars
mini-character kits

little slips of paper with fun activities

HTH!

Rhonda

Oh! I like the Karen Foster one! Thanks for sharing your ideas and that pix!!

Hi!! I did this last year. I did the 12 days of Christmas in little boxes that have little note cards that list a family activity to do that day. Let's see if I can remember all of the days (not in any particular order) ...

1. Watch the Polar Express
2. Visit Santa
3. Write letters to Santa
4. Make gingerbread houses
5. Make special Christmas ornament
6. Camp out under the Christmas tree
7. Go shopping (for sibling gifts)
8. Take a drive to look at Christmas lights
9. Bake Cookies
10. Read Christmas stories
11. Make Christmas cards
12. I can't remember the last one

You can see my boxes/advent calendar HERE, on my blog in case you are interested.

I am totally going to wrap up 25 Christmas books, that is an amazing idea!! What books do you use? I think I would run out of idea past the usual Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

What a fun project to think about, I can't wait until Christmas!!!

frosty the snowman
the 12 days of christmas
Santa claus is coming to town
the night before christmas
the polar express
the nutcracker
the gringe stole christmas
the little drummer boy
the snow globe family
peanuts the charlie brown christmas tree

these are just some tha tI can think of.. I like the book idea too... but then again christmas books are my favorite kind of books...

EsteeLynn...WOW!! I like those boxes. I might have to go to the Dollar Store and just get some boxes and do it this way!!

Keep the ideas coming ladies. My brain is just running with ideas now!! THANK! {hugs}

• pearlygadget Said:

Those are great book ideas, thanks!!!

• amooretto Said:

I got my boxes at Big Lots last year. They were lots of fun to make!

To keep the costs down for books, you could get them (or some of them) at the dollar store.