Every kid loves a good countdown and every mom wants to make memories that last forever. This calendar was my way of accomplishing 3 things in 1:
- Count Down to Christmas
- A Christmas bucket list that keeps me accountable
- Making Memories that Last Forever
With all the busyness of the holidays, I wanted to make these a priority. No one better to keep you consistent and accountable than your kids!
What is it?
An advent calendar is simply a countdown to Christmas in calendar form. “Advent” is the season of waiting. Just as Mary waited in expectation for her baby, Jesus, we wait in expectation for Christ on Christmas (and anticipation of the day He returns!). You can read more about it here.
What is it made of?
Brown Paper Lunch Bags. So simple! I wanted them to be big enough to hold something if needed but otherwise easy and simple.
I printed out numbers 1-25 so I could put them on the outside of the bags. You can also write directly on them, but I liked how polished and orderly they looked printed, cut and laminated. Insert geek emoji here.
I display them on a big cork board but you can easily do this with ribbon and clothes pins as well.
What’s Inside?
Inside each brown paper bag is an index card with a memory maker. Something on our Family Christmas Bucket List.
Every morning they wake up and ask to open the bag. I love that every morning is a slice of Christmas morning joy.
As our family has grown we alternate bag openers. I’ve enjoyed watching them get excited to take their turn and give the attention and excitement toward their siblings. Knowing they will share these memories together promotes unity. Such a blessing for this Mama’s heart!
Bucket List
Now, before you get too overwhelmed thinking about that, I have plenty of easy passes: Candy Days, Movie Nights, etc. Do what works for you and your family. And make it fun according to what your kids love to do. Every year we do a “Kitchen Dance Party with Christmas Music” because my kids love to dance. Have fun with it!
Here are the bucket list memories I like to include every year:
If I need an easy day, I’ll choose to add candy with an index card that says something like:
“You never get tired of chewing gum and we never get tired of loving you. Enjoy! Love, Mommy & Daddy” (insert a pack of gum to share in the bag)
OR
“Enjoy this yummy treat and remember Jesus every time you eat a candy cane. Love, Mommy & Daddy” (insert candy canes)
OR
“We love you so much our hearts could POP! Enjoy! Love, Mommy & Daddy” (insert pop rocks)
Also, we do movie nights once a week (sometimes more) as there are too many fun Christmas movies to cuddle up and watch!
Here is a free download to write out your Family Bucket Lists (feel free to steal our activities or make up your own!)
Plant It Out!
Before I stuff the bags I take out my physical family calendar (insert grandma emoji here) and make sure the activities fit. If we have a super busy day I’ll usually do a candy card where as if we have lots of time, I’ll do “make snow dough” or “make Christmas cookies”. I typically save Gingerbread Houses for the weekend as I need all hands on deck with 5 kids!
Before stuffing and pinning up the bags I lay them out with the cards and double check the dates on the calendar. If the first of December does not land on a Monday, without fail it confuses me. So… that’s most years! I’ve also learned to take a picture on my phone for quick reference.
12 Days of Christmas
A good alternative is to count down to the last 12 days of Christmas. If you’re not up for all 25 days. The kids will probably be home from school for a good number of these days anyway and they still make for special memories.
Have fun and make memories! Don’t stress about it… the point is to ENJOY the gift of family and celebrate Advent together.
