Advent Calendars

Our family’s solstice spiral. We light a new candle each evening at dinner, hoping to encourage the sun to come back.

I know it seems early. But the Downtown Tree Lighting and Santa Claus Parade happens next weekend. Christmas will definitely be on my kids’ radar at that point and I am feeling the need to get a jumpstart on the season this year.

I have fond memories of getting those cheap chocolate advent calendars as a kid and loving opening each door. Now there are so many creative calendars out there, I thought I would share some ideas in case you would like to make one with or for your kids. Some are simple and sweet and perfect for little hands to help, and some may become family heirlooms. Next week, I will post some suggestions for filling advent calenders, either with treats, or with suggestions for activities to mark the season.

Use paper tubes to create your calendar. This one is lovely and easily customized to your own style.

I love the children’s art incorporated into this idea. While I would probably sew it, the instructions suggest just using fabric glue, so you don’t need to be a seamstress to make this work for your family.

This one is so sweet and simple. A chain of paper dolls, each with an activity idea written on it’s apron. You could make two, write notes and wishes on one, and mail it off to far flung family or friends as a way to stay connected through the season.

There are so many possibilities for this idea of a homemade cardboard window version. The simple house illustration is lovely, but you could also create a field of snowmen, or have a family art night with everyone adding to the scene.

There are excellent instructions here for a more traditional pocket styled version, made with felt. (For some beautiful all wool felt, check out the Trillium Waldorf school’s store which is open on Thursdays.)

My kids would LOVE this tiny advent calendar. Although I doubt the gum would last 24 days.

There are lots of garland type advent calendars out there for inspirations. I love this baby sock version from Martha Stewart, these colourful circles, or these beautiful birds, which would be lovely as a garland or hanging from branches or even a small Christmas tree.

And kids could definitely help with these wonderful Seuss-like trees, or these paper plate creations, or even a simple paper chain which you add to or subtract from every day.

And if December feels busy enough, or you are looking for a simple way to mark the season in gratitude, I love these ideas – a garland made of thanks, and added to each day and a simple candle spiral, which was the inspiration for our own spiral.

Enjoy!