We are just days away from December 1st and I am so excited to share some holly, jolly advent calendar inspo! This is the first year we are doing a full blown advent calendar so I am so excited to see the kids faces light up each day as we lead up to Christmas. I used this Advent as a way to organize a lot of the crafts we would typically do during the month anyway, along with a few gifts, traditions, some Jesus teaching moments and small acts of kindness to spread Christmas cheer all month long. Typically, I find myself very unorganized when it comes to Christmas crafts and all the traditions I want to get to throughout the season so I am so excited that I have it all planned out and ready to go on December 1st. The planning is definitely the most overwhelming part of it all so I hope this takes that off your shoulders and gives you some good inspiration to make an advent of your own! In this post you’ll find a guide to everything inside and a how to section for assembling and hanging the bags I used. With out further ado, lets get into the 25 days of fun!
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25 Days of Fun - What's Inside
Day 1 – Ugly Sweater Dance Party
Wrap ugly sweaters for the whole family, play your favorite Christmas album and dance the night away. I can’t think of a more festive way to kick off December!
Yoda Ugly Sweater | Llama Ugly Sweater | Unicorn Ugly Sweater | Santa Hat | Light Bulb Necklace (Dollar Tree)
Day 2 – Minnie & Mickey Suckers + Act of Kindness
Use the advent calendar for fun as well as a way to teach your kiddos about giving back to others. Today head to the store and pick out a toy for kids in need and drop them off at a local toy drive.
Minnie & Mickey Suckers (Hobby Lobby)
Day 3 – Movie Night – The Grinch
Pick your favorite movie and create a special movie ticket to give to your kids! If you are into the Grinch like we are you can use the free template I made below! I also included some Christmas jammies along with the Grinch, Cindy Loe Hoe and Max stuffed animals to really get my kiddos into it! Plus, don’t forget the popcorn! I am all about the popcorn tins, a nostalgic childhood memory for me.
Day 4 – Reindeer Games
All I can say is I can’t wait for the laughs that come from this one! Get ready to let loose and have some good fun with your kiddos.
Day 5 – Gingerbread House
Nothing says tradition like building a gingerbread house together. I remember my mom always making it from scratch but luckily now there are amazing kits with everything you will need, making it a much easier tradition to carry on with your family.
Gingerbread House
Day 6 – Cookbook & Chef Hats
Let your little ones be in charge of lunch or dinner today! This cookbook has the cutest little recipes that they will enjoy making and eating, I’m sure of it!
Day 7 – Reindeer Necklaces
Have a craft day making these cute reindeer beaded necklaces! Bonus, the kit comes with enough for 6 so make a few for a friend or neighbor!
Day 8 – Bath Bomb & Fuzzy Socks
Have a mini self care day with the kids! Add these festive bath bombs to their bath and follow up bath time with some fuzzy socks or slippers for afterwards!
Day 9 – Balloons & Cameras
Blow up some festive balloons, grab a disposable camera for each kid and snap some fun pictures. They will love having a camera of their own and you should be able to get some cute shots too. Win, win!
Reindeer Balloons | Disposable Camera | Digital Camera | Santa Balloon
Day 10 – Build a Nativity
I love this nativity kit from Hobby Lobby and any opportunity to share the Christmas story with my kids. ‘Tis the reason for the season!
Day 11 – Letters to Santa
Can’t forget to send letters to the North pole! This would also be a good day to surprise them with a visit to Santa so they can give their letters in person! If you choose to just have a special mailbox, don’t forget to take them out because they will check! 😉
Day 12 – North Pole Radio
Tune into the North Pole and get updates on how Santa and his elves are doing! Plus you can get festive with some fun Holiday music on the radio. I think I am looking forward to this new tradition the most!
North Pole Radio Mint | North Pole Radio Red | North Pole Radio Pink
Day 13 – Bake Cookies
Would it even be the holidays if you didn’t bake holiday cookies!? Keep it simple with a store bought sugar cookie mix or make your own from scratch. Either way the kids will love decorating the cookies with you.
Cookie Cutter | Sugar Cookie Mix |Rolling Pin |Spatula
Day 14 – Pop Shot Reindeers
It’s good to have some low key days. A simple little toy will usually do the trick, like this pop shot reindeer. Endless fun for them, and a little break for mama!
Day 15 – Build a Snowman
If you live somewhere where it snows, you get to make the real deal! However if you are in a warm place like me, try out this snowman craft! Everything needed was found at Hobby Lobby. Can’t wait to hear what the kids name their little snowman!
Day 16 – Hot Chocolate Bar
Surprise them with a little hot cocoa bar for a special holiday treat today! Find out if they like whip cream or marshmallows, shaken or stirred, extra toppings like candy canes or just good ole plain hot chocolate.
Day 17 – Sugar Cookie Ornaments + Tough Cookie Book
Did you know the recipe for sugar cookie ornaments can be found in the Tough Cookie book?? Enjoy story time together and then make your very own tough cookie ornaments together!
Day 18 – Candy Cane M&Ms + Act of Kindness
Spread some Christmas cheer today by drawing festive side walk chalk art for others to see and enjoy!
Day 19 – Festive Cups + Donuts & Chocolate Milk
Another easy day, with just a little breakfast magic sprinkled in. I’m thinking a quick trip to the donut shop and some chocolate milk. And my kids go nuts over fun cups like this!
Day 20 – Pop Rock Candy + Act of Kindness
Mail men and women work extra hard this time of year. Show your appreciation by leaving out a box of treats and some encouragement for their long days. After all they are a huge part of making a magical Christmas morning happen!
Pop Rock Candy (Dollar Tree)
Day 21 – Reindeer Surprise Crackers & Make Reindeer Food
Make sure the reindeer can find your house on Christmas eve with some sparkly food sprinkled in the grass. Just mix sprinkles and oats together and store in a bag or jar for Christmas Eve. Meri Meri has the cutest surprise poppers great to add to advent calendars and stockings for even more fun!
Reindeer Surprise Poppers | Glass Jars | Oats | Holiday Sprinkles
Day 22 – Snowball Fight
Snow or not, a good snowball fight is a winter must! Wrap up some “snowballs” and it’s on as soon as your kids get them opened!
Day 23 – Paint a Nativity
There can never be too many nativity crafts! This one is the perfect blank canvas to paint with your kids!
Day 24 – Pop Toys
These pop toys are all the craze right now and the perfect addition to an advent calendar.
Day 25 – Birthday Cake for Jesus
As birthday’s are something young kids somewhat understand, what better way to teach them the meaning of Christmas than by making a birthday cake for Jesus.
Happy Birthday Jesus Cake Topper | Cake Mix | Sprinkles | Frosting
Bonus – Nativity Piñata Surprise
One last opportunity to teach the Christmas story on Christmas morning. Remove the baby Jesus from each of the nativity crafts throughout the month and place in a mini piñata for one final surprise representing the day Jesus was born!
How to Assemble
What You’ll Need
Step 1
Design and cut the 25 numbers using your Cricut. I used a variety of fonts and mixed between writing out the number words and using the numbers. I also wanted the colors to be fun and bright so I used a variety of different colored iron on as well. To save money you can definitely just use one or two colors.
Step 2
Plan out how you will want the canvas bags to look up on the wall. I wanted the bags to form the shape of a Christmas tree. Once you have an idea of how you want it, start ironing on the numbers to the canvas bags. Pro tip: If you’re doing a tree I would start with a wider base than I did. I had a very tall, skinny tree when I actually went to hang it up and I had to adjust to make it a little more plump.
Step 3
Start gathering all of your items and plan which items will go where. I fit what I could in the bags and then wrapped the rest. I will bring out each the coordinating gift each day during the month.
Step 4
Start hanging the bags using command hooks. Start from the base and work your way up. I used 1 lb hooks for the small bags and 3 lb hooks for the larger bags.
Step 5
Add any extra flare that you wish! I added flags I printed using Thread Mama’s printables, a few ornaments and metallic ribbons. I also didn’t wrap some of the gifts so that I would have a little extra color pepping out of the top the bags.
I hope you are inspired to make an advent calendar of your own! If you do, be sure to tag me over on instagram. I hope everyone has a very festive and blessed holiday season!
Bonnie Henry
This is so adorable!! Your kids are going to have such a fun December month! Way to go mamma!!