What is an Advent Calendar?

My son asked me what an advent calendar was. I have made them and used them but I have to admit, I looked up the definition this year because as a homeschooling mom, I wanted it to be a teachable moment.

According to the dictionary, Advent is the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas. This fact I did not know until this year when I started conducting a local choral society that sang around town for the start of the Advent season. Advent, as I have always understood it, is a coming into being or use, hence, the Advent Calendar. We use it as a countdown for Christmas Day.

What do you put on an Advent Calendar Countdown?

There are so many items that you can put on or in an Advent Calendar. Food, toys, pictures, activities, scripture verses, music selections, jokes, and the list goes on.

I choose to do a little of each because I loved all the ideas. Here is a free printable of what used for advent calendar.

You can make your advent calendar be as fancy as you dare or as simple as the paper items and left over string that you have from holiday gift wrapping.

Below is my list for a simple Do It Yourself Advent Calendar combining the best of the advent calendars that were on my top 5 list plus a musical addition of my own. This music teacher wanted to make sure that music is part of any tradition.

How to Make an Advent Calendar!

We wanted to have a star on the top of our tree so my son took on this task.

2. Use twine to shape the outline of a tree. Start at the bottom and work to the top. I used tape first to make sure the tree was big enough to fit the cards then I went back and used clear command strips.

3. Print off your advent calendar activities on card stock paper. Click here for a free printable or gather some ideas to make the activities fit your family. Have your little people hang them on the tree with festive clothes pins.

4. Sit back and listen to the beautiful holiday music as you read the biblical account of the Christmas Story.

I hope that your countdown to Christmas is filled with hope, joy, and time with the people who mean the most to you.

May you have a blessed holiday and stay tuned to a special article for 9 Things to do on New Year’s Eve where I’ve linked with several of my favorite bloggers to bring you some stellar ideas to help you ring in the New Year.

Click here for the free advent printable.

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What is an Advent Calendar?

What do you put on an Advent Calendar Countdown?

How to Make an Advent Calendar!

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