Wednesday, November 30, 2011

What I Made Wednesday {Family Advent Tree}


The days leading up to Christmas can be a difficult wait of anticipation build-up and I can't imagine what the kids are going through. So why not have the days pass quicker with an Advent Tree filled with surprises and activities for the whole family? My ideas and activities have been more creative in past years but with Hubby so busy lately, I had to come up with activities during the week that didn't take a lot of time since his schedule is so unpredictable Monday through Friday. But, you make adjustments, you enjoy the build-up of the season, and you consciously spend time together as a family. I say take it when and how you can get it!

What You'll Need
Scrapbook paper (winter themed if you prefer)
Twiggy branches
Holding container
Rice
Stapler
Spray paint

What You'll Do
This is so easy, peasey. Take your cut branches and spray paint them your preferred color. I chose black because it's what I had on hand, but I would have preferred white. I think the white would have made the branches have more of an "magic-ability" quotient.

Come up with 24 fun family activities that you'd like to do together each day leading up to Christmas. WARNING - Hubby, if you are reading this STOP NOW! Keep in mind your own family's time constraints and limitations during the week. Here's a list of what we'll be doing (simple and cheap):



1- Welcome December with George Winston’s December CD

2- National Fritters Day and The Nutcracker Tonight

3- Light the Advent Wreath

4- Santa Letters from each of us

5- Happy Birthday, Walt Disney – let’s watch a movie!

6- Mitten Tree Day – let’s make garland

7- National Cotton Candy Day – dessert anyone?

8- Make a prayer list for those who need a boost

9- Make the popcorn! It’s a Wonderful Life

10- Light the Advent Wreath & A Christmas Concert

11- Making Citrus Pomanders – sweet smelling!

12- X-mas shopping for others expecting nothing in return

13- National Cocoa Day and sledding

14- Appetizer Dinner Party just for us

15- Gingerbread House under construction

16- White Christmas flick

17- Light the Advent Wreath

18- Feed the birds – bird fest

19- Wrap-fest & roll sword fight

20- Grinch Day – read it, watch it

21- Hanukkah Lesson – Learn the Dreidel Game?

22- Shortest Day of the year – light the Yule log, make a fire

23- Decorate the Outside Tree with our handmade ornaments

24- Twas the Night Before Christmas reading and Light the Advent Wreath


If you need to, cut your scrapbook paper down to size so it will fit into your printer and print your activities on the plain side of the paper. Go back to your document and replace each typed activity with the date (1-24) and re-run the same paper through the printer on the printed side for the numbers.
Cut each activity into strips, wrap each strip into a ring so the ends overlap and staple the ends.

What You Need to Know to Finish
Fill your container holder with rice, stuff the branches into the rice, decorate your branches with the rings, and embellish the tree to your liking. Enjoy and have fun these next 24 days!
 

My son will begin his own Star Wars LEGO Advent! So super exciting! Do you have any kind of Advent calendar?


6 comments:

Lefty said...

Lilly---
This is the PERFECT and simple idea for an advent calendar! LOVE this! I have been on the search for one that we can make and this fits the bill! The kids have a general one where they put up one ornament each day, but to have one where there are deeds, lessons, etc is priceless! Going to work on this today, to be ready for tomorrow! SO inspirational! And thanks for the cookie shout-out yesterday! Those cookies are a life-changer! :)

Craftberry Bush said...

Loved these ideas and the memories you will be making... :). Xo
Lu

Unknown said...

Love it! I may steal some of your daily activities. By the way, for the day you do the Hanukkah lesson, you should try and get the book "The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming" by Lemony Snicket! It's hilarious, and it has lots of facts about the holiday {and how it differs from Christmas} at the same time.

I am LOVD said...

Amy, This is so great. I'm ordering the book RIGHT NOW from the library in hopes it gets here in time. Thanks so much!!!!

Suzan Wood-Young said...

I have a beautiful Advent santa my SIL made me one year, you'll see it tomorrow I think. Thanks so much for some wonderful ideas Lilly. You've inspired me in many ways with this advent tree. Can't wait to buy myself a new Christmas CD this afternoon for tomorrow!

The Cheese Thief said...

Oh good tip on the rice. I would have never thought to do that.

 

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