In Germany we love tradition and one big one is counting down the days till Christmas with an Advents Calendar; We love to give little goodies and gifts in anticipation of the Christ Child to be born on Christmas Eve. It always made the wait to the big day that much sweeter.
For years I bought the kids the chocolate Advent Calendar and every time they saw pictures of Advents Calendars that Family and Friends back in Germany made they always asked why they couldn’t have one of their own. That’s when I started years ago to make a new Advents Calendar each year. This year I thought I could get by with just making a calendar for the 5 year old, but the boys (now 18 and 14) quickly raised their voice that they will not do without one; so I made two new calendars this year and thought I’d share them. Maybe you like to start a new tradition with your kids as well.
This Advents Calendar was Super easy; all you need is a picture frame, check local thrift stores, attic, trash, doesn’t have to be a new one; spray paint it the color you like, I love the red for the Holidays. I found some small fabric gift bags at Hobby Lobby (50% off, I think each package came with 6 bags for $2.00) and a nice robe. I grabbed some wooden clothes pins at Walmart, they had a pack of 50 for under a buck and some scrapbook paper. That’s it.. Simple as that. Used hot glue to glue the robe to the back of the frame and pined the baggies with the Clothes pins… filled each with little goodies. I love to keep the candy from Halloween and re-use it during this time of the year… hihih.
The second Advents Calendar was simple as well; I bought a cake tier on Amazon.com for like $10 and I can re-use it many years as well as use it during the year to decorate the house with. I also picked up some small cups with lid at Amazon and ribbon at Michaels. Each little cup got a goodie that would fit; I love checking Dollar bins or the Dollar store to find hair bows, jewelry, nail polish little things that little girls like and of course candy from Halloween. Filled all 24 bowls and wrapped them up, added some bows to the top packages; placed each on the tier and we are ready to countdown till the big day…. Christmas Eve.
For more Advents Calendar ideas or any other of our German Christmas traditions, be sure to visit my Christmas Section.
What traditions do you have for the Holiday Season? Would love to hear it…Merry Christmas and enjoy the Season!!
brett says
these ideas are great! my gram always made our advent calendars and did a hershey kiss each day 🙂
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Rachee says
I love your ideas! I have always wanted to do advent but always miss the first of the season. One day!
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Angela says
I am just loving the one you made with the cake tier! That’s so clever.
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Pam says
We have an advent calendar too and it is filled with chocolate. We like chocolate. 🙂
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Melissa says
Oh, I love these! Simply gorgeous!
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Jennifer says
Such fun ideas!!! I remember growing up always having the chocolate candy advent calendars. I always looked forward to that. These are extra creative ones!!
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Kia Morgan Smith says
GREAT ideas! It doesn’t take much to be creative!
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Carlee C says
My daughter just brought her construction Advent Calendar home from school yesterday. Your’s are both really pretty. I like the gift one because I think it would make a nice centerpiece.
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Shell Feis says
Those are both cute ideas! I want to make the top one for my little dude.
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Amanda says
I love your ideas! Mine isn’t quite as creative, but there is still time.. I’m going to see what I can do today 🙂
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Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Most of traditions are closer to the actual holiday.Like opening one gift Christmas eve and doing funny presents for dinner.
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Stefani says
I love these ideas. I want to do something this with my kids and make a new tradition.
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Ashley - Embracing Grace says
That’s a beautiful advent calendar. I love it!!
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Danielle says
Oh that’s adorable! I need to make or get one of these for my little girl.
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Dawn Monroe says
I love advent calanders but Im not to crafty so I better just buy one. We have a huge family so we started a secret santa tradition for the adults. It cheaper, less stressful and alot of fun.
Melissa S says
I love the picture frame advent calender, it is just so clever. I am going to keep an eye out for a frame while at garage sales.