Not sure what an advent calendar is? You're not the only one. :) Basically, advent calendars are displayed in the home counting down the days leading up to Christmas (from Dec. 1 until Dec. 25). Each day, there is a note, clue, verse, coupon, or whatever you like tucked away, so that on that day, the family or couple opens it together and acts on it. Whether its watching a Christmas movie all together or surprising other families with anonymous gifts, the goal of worshiping fully, spending less, giving more, and loving all will play out in unique ways all around Baton Rouge.
The beauty behind the calendar is that it can be as detailed or as simple as you like. We encourage you to keep your family in mind and create a calendar around those personalities, talents, and passions.
Before you come to create your calendar, we ask that you bring all the supplies you will need for your own individual calendar.
You will need:
- 25 activity ideas appropriate for the interests and the ages of your family members.
- 25 boxes, envelopes, socks, matchboxes, spools, packages, tins, or etc. to put them in.
- Materials needed for a calendar (which can be a anything!).
To help get you thinking, we've compiled a list of great examples from DIYers that have already paved the way of creativity in this department. There are so many simple and amazing tutorials out there, so click on the links below the pictures to see even more examples--have fun browsing!
fabric, paper, or already made tins and boxes ideas
paper-envelope advent calendar
spool advent calendar
another tin idea
cookie sheet calendar with magnets
muffin tin calendar with magnets
matchbox calendar
Also, here are some ideas we pulled from different sources for the 25 advent days to help brainstorm activities for each day:
[ Worship Fully ]
[ Spend Less ]
[ Give More ]
[ Love All ]
We hope that everyone can come by even if its just for while! If you have any questions or you aren't sure what all you will need for a certain calendar, leave a comment below or e-mail Jenny Gilbert at jennygilbert1@gmail.com.
[ Worship Fully ]
- Read verses about the Christmas story (Mark 1:1-8; Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 2:1-5; Isaiah 9:1-6)
- Get hot cocoa and go to a living nativity at a local church
- Make a Christmas craft
- Write down 10 ways you feel blessed and hang it where you will see everyday
- Celebrate Jesus’ birthday with family
- Sing Christmas Carols (if you have kids, have them call their grandparents and sing to them!)
[ Spend Less ]
- Decorate the tree and drink eggnog
- Go to hometown family Christmas Celebrations
- Watch a Christmas movie
- Family Game Night!
- Drive around and look at Christmas lights
- Have a picnic dinner in front of the Christmas tree
- Eat dessert before dinner!
[ Give More ]
- Prepare and mail a Christmas care package for soldiers
- Decorate gift wrap & wrap gifts
- Bake bread & deliver it to the neighbors
- Go to grandparents house for Christmas celebrations
- Bake/decorate cookies and deliver them to families from church
- Make Christmas gifts for extended family
- Put out a gift to your mail man or mail lady
[ Love All ]
- Surprise other families with anonymous gifts on their doorsteps
- Deliver gifts to the homeless
- Make homemade Christmas cards
- Go ice skating!
- Make a gingerbread house with friends
- Take homemade Christmas cards to a nursing home
We hope that everyone can come by even if its just for while! If you have any questions or you aren't sure what all you will need for a certain calendar, leave a comment below or e-mail Jenny Gilbert at jennygilbert1@gmail.com.
