Make your own advent calendar

My house may not yet be decorated for Christmas, but I think my heart is.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my daily advent gift/ ‘assignment’ to you each day. I will continue to post daily advent assignments to get you in the spirit. But if you’re a planner like me and want to make your own calendar, read on…

A few nights ago my discussion group met and together we made advent calendars filled with all the “tasks” I’ve been posting.

Here are a few photos of the process:

First I used my Cricut die-cutting machine to cut teeny-tiny envelopes. (But you could also cut and fold them yourself.)

Then we folded the envelopes, taped them into shape, adhered them onto a 12×12 page and stamped the dates.

We cut out each of the tasks and stuffed them into the proper envelope.

I put my calendar into a cute memo board I already had in my office nook.

I sent the calendar printout to a friend of mine who made her own calendar at home with clothespins and Christmas socks.

Here are the activity ideas:

Momstoolbox.com Advent Calendar 2008

1. Get ready for Christmas part 1:Spend some time thinking about what you like about Christmas. Write down your thoughts.
2. Read Matthew 1-2 to your family or enjoy some quiet reading with yourself and God.
3. Sing Joy to the World at the Top of your lungs. (Bonus points for doing it outside.)
4. Get ready for Christmas part 2: Look back over your notes on what you like about Christmas. What plans can you make to see that this year? What other goals/ thoughts/ prayers do you have for this advent season? Write them down.
5. Pray for all the women in our group that we may all have a peaceful, joy-filled Christmas.
6. Host a family Christmas movie tonight (or put it on your calendar for a different night and follow through). Pop popcorn, snuggle under blankets and enjoy it together.
7. Write a note to someone you won’t see this Christmas and mail it to her/ him. Emails and mass Christmas cards do not count.
8. Pray for your/ your husband’s work situation. (After praying for him, consider writing down your prayer and sharing it with him.)
9. Read John 1:1-18 to your family or enjoy some quiet reading with yourself and God.
10. Look through old Christmas pictures.
11. Pray for your extended family. Write down your prayer for at least one individual and mail it to him/ her.
12. Pray for your immediate family… as a group and as individuals.
13. Make spiced cider tonight. (Easy version: simmer apple cider with a few cinnamon sticks. Google for more intricate recipe.) Share with your family while reading a few Christmas books.
14. Go tele-caroling:Call a relative or two and sing a Christmas carol (or enlist your children to do it for you/ with you).
15. Take a bubble bath tonight and listen to instrumental Christmas carols … or put it on your calendar for another date this week and do not cancel.
16. Pray for our country.
17. Get ready for Christmas part 3: Ask your kids what they would like to do over the school break. Make a point to do at least one realistic request.
18. Pray for a person with whom you have a strained relationship.
19. Pray for your children’s teachers and school administration.
20. Have a hot chocolate and game night tonight… heat up a few cups, add marshmallows and stir with a candy cane. Here’s a crockpot recipe if you’re inviting more than a few… http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/crockpot-peppermint-hot-chocolate.html Give your games a Christmas twist: Christmas Pictionary, Scrabble with only Christmas words, charades, or yelling “Happy Birthday Jesus” instead of Uno… You get the idea, I’m sure.
21. Be a secret Santa. Give someone a simple gift and don’t take credit. You could leave baked goods, candy or a sweet anonymous note on a neighbor’s doorstep.
22. Play Christmas carols and light candles while preparing dinner. Keep the music and candles going during dinner and have each person share one of their favorite carols.
23. Pray for yourself
24. Read Luke 1-2:40 to your family or enjoy some quiet reading with yourself and God.
25. At the end of the day, sit back and reflect on your Advent season. What new blessings did you enjoy this year?

• Optional addition: Get messy: Do a Christmas craft or bake with the kiddos, remembering that the object is to have fun, not end up with something that looks beautiful.

I’ll keep posting them day by day here on Momstoolbox.com, too. (Please feel free to share with friends, but do not publish my “tasks” on your blog.)

Hope this helps you get even more into the holiday spirit!

For more WFMW, check out Rocks in my Dryer.