The word "advent" means the coming of something important. Traditionally speaking, "advent" refers to the Christmas holiday or the second coming of Christ. However, advent calendars can count down to winter solstice, Hanukkah, Festivus, or any significant event in your family's traditions.
The Advent Calendar
Advent calendars come in many shapes and sizes. You'll see Santa-shaped and Christmas tree-shaped calendars at department stores. A compartment for each day is typically stuffed with chocolates or other candies.
Your compartments may consist of envelopes, drawers, flaps to lift, small gifts to unwrap. Use your creativity to come up with a way to mark each day as special. You can fill your compartments with many kinds of treats, gifts, or activities.
Here are some ideas for the advent calendar itself. Choose a container or containers with enough slots to count down to your big event.
- muffin tin
- craft storage box with pull-out drawers
- origami or mini-envelopes
- basket of wrapped mini-gifts
- garland of gift bags
Rennee Carver has several more ideas for making a family advent calendar, including poster board, hanging boxes, cloth pockets, golden rings, garland, and nativity.
Advent Calendar Gifts
Each day in the advent calendar offers a surprise. It might be a candy, a puzzle, a verse, or an adventure. Here are some ideas.
- Candy (can be gluten-free or otherwise suited to your family)
- Small gifts (toys, coins, stickers, something the child collects)
- Coupons for treats or services (you can make your own coupons)
- Clues to treasure hunt for the treat or gift
- Facts or inspirational quotes about the upcoming event
- Activities written on a scrap of paper
The Advent(ure) Calendar
Rather than an edible treat, this advent calendar surprises your children with a new adventure each day. Here are some ideas you might include on a slip of paper or clue placed in each pocket of the calendar.
- Drink hot cocoa
- Find the hidden candy cane
- Bake cookies to share with a neighbor
- Take a winter night walk
- Make a gift for someone
- Listen to holiday music
- Attend a local holiday event
- Make your own wrapping paper
- Decorate the house
- Make a gingerbread house
- Have dinner by candle light
- Build a snowman
- Eat snow
Your advent calendar is a fun way to enhance the celebration and anticipation leading up to a big event. It's a convenient way to prepare your children in a gradual way. Have fun with it. It's likely to become a cherished tradition.
You may also enjoy:
- A Timeline of Famous Historical Events in December
- Homeschooling: Getting Ready for Christmas
- How to Make a 3D Snowflake from Gift Wrap
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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