One project I am really, really excited about this holiday season is our advent calendar. It was something I put a lot of thought into. I wanted something fun, practical, colorful, giving, and most importantly highlighted the reason for the season. It was also pretty important for me to have something that would grow with our family as we grow.
The first thing I did was track down some Bible verses that pertained to the season. I found some perfect suggestions online so I printed them on card stock and took them to town to get laminated. I wanted to make sure they would last me at least a couple of years! I took some basic white envelopes and stamped the days of December onto them and I was done!
I then wanted a way for them to be displayed in a manner that was anticipating and a good reminder to me. Sometimes our days can get so busy it’s hard to remember to take just a few minutes to reflect on the meaning of the season. So, having them right in my kitchen where I will see them every day will be a nice reminder to sit down and enjoy a few minutes in sharing the story of Jesus with Elliette. I also wanted something simple, because I didn’t want to deter away from the next part of our advent calender.
I wanted something fun, colorful, and unique to us. So, I dug through my cupboards, my storage room, and hit up a couple of second hand stores to find some basic jars and some unique jars. I made sure I picked heavy duty glass because of tiny hands. And Elliette has already tested out a few on the cement in our storage room and they held up! I love little helpers.
I then laid them all out how I wanted them and started spray painting. I used colors of spray paint I already had on hand in my basement and I love how they coordinated together. It was perfect.
Overall, this project was probably less that $20 for me, since I had a couple of jars and the spray paint.
At first I thought I would struggle with what to put in the jars, but surprisingly once I got started I actually didn’t struggle at all. I put sweets in some and then cards with activities in others. And in some I put both!
On the cards I wrote things like- Build a tent and add Christmas lights, Drive to town for ice cream, Pick our a special toy for the giving tree, Popcorn and movie, One Cookie, No TV Night (Ellie loves when she has our undivided attention), Bath time with shaving cream and colors (Another favorite for her..she loves bath times with new activities), Dance party with Mommy (She LOVES to dance)…All of these things are things that I would probably do with her anyway, but the idea is that as soon as we choose from the jars we get to do the activity. I am really hoping to stick with this plan. It may take some convincing on Daddy’s part, but I think he can handle it!
As she grows I know the activities will change..I am not sure I foresee her wanting to have time in the bathtub with lots of shaving cream and paint when she is 17 or 18. But, hey who knows!
As she grows I also hope to incorporate more giving activities.Right now I will still involve her in those activities, but I know as she grows she will understand more and more each and every year.
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