{"id":1093,"date":"2008-12-03T12:54:24","date_gmt":"2008-12-03T18:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/?p=1093"},"modified":"2011-11-18T11:49:11","modified_gmt":"2011-11-18T17:49:11","slug":"make-your-own-advent-calendar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/make-your-own-advent-calendar\/","title":{"rendered":"Make your own advent calendar"},"content":{"rendered":"

My house may not yet be decorated for Christmas, but I think my heart is.<\/p>\n

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…<\/p>\n

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

\"Photobucket\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are a few photos of the process:<\/p>\n

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

\"Photobucket\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Then we folded the envelopes, taped them into shape, adhered them onto a 12×12 page and stamped the dates.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We cut out each of the tasks and stuffed them into the proper envelope.<\/p>\n

\"Photobucket\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I put my calendar into a cute memo board I already had in my office nook.<\/p>\n

\"Photobucket\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I sent the calendar printout to a friend of mine who made her own calendar at home with clothespins and Christmas socks.<\/p>\n

\"Photobucket\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are the activity ideas:<\/p>\n

Momstoolbox.com Advent Calendar 2008<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Get ready for Christmas part 1:Spend some time thinking about what you like about Christmas. Write down your thoughts.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Read Matthew 1-2 to your family or enjoy some quiet reading with yourself and God.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Sing Joy to the World at the Top of your lungs. (Bonus points for doing it outside.)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  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.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Pray for all the women in our group that we may all have a peaceful, joy-filled Christmas.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  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.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Write a note to someone you won\u2019t see this Christmas and mail it to her\/ him. Emails and mass Christmas cards do not count.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Pray for your\/ your husband\u2019s work situation. (After praying for him, consider writing down your prayer and sharing it with him.)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Read John 1:1-18 to your family or enjoy some quiet reading with yourself and God.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Look through old Christmas pictures.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  11. Pray for your extended family. Write down your prayer for at least one individual and mail it to him\/ her.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  12. Pray for your immediate family<\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/span> as a group and as individuals.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  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.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  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).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  15. Take a bubble bath tonight and listen to instrumental Christmas carols <\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/span> or put it on your calendar for another date this week and do not cancel.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  16. Pray for our country.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  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.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  18. Pray for a person with whom you have a strained relationship.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  19. Pray for your children\u2019s teachers and school administration.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  20. Have a hot chocolate and game night tonight<\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/span> heat up a few cups, add marshmallows and stir with a candy cane. Here\u2019s a crockpot recipe if you\u2019re inviting more than a few<\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/span> http:\/\/crockpot365.blogspot.com\/2008\/11\/crockpot-peppermint-hot-chocolate.html<\/span><\/a> Give your games a Christmas twist: Christmas Pictionary, Scrabble with only Christmas words, charades, or yelling \u201cHappy Birthday Jesus\u201d instead of Uno<\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/span> You get the idea, I\u2019m sure.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  21. Be a secret Santa. Give someone a simple gift and don\u2019t take credit. You could leave baked goods, candy or a sweet anonymous note on a neighbor\u2019s doorstep.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  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.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  23. Pray for yourself<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  24. Read Luke 1-2:40 to your family or enjoy some quiet reading with yourself and God.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  25. At the end of the day, sit back and reflect on your Advent season. What new blessings did you enjoy this year?<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n