First, trace and cut a large Christmas tree out of solid green fabric. Next, make 25 pockets by sewing, hot gluing, or stapling 25 squares of fun Christmas fabric to the tree. Leave the tops of the squares open for your advent cards and print or paint numbers one through 25 under each pocket, starting at the top with number one.
Then, collect 25 pieces of cardstock, construction paper, or index cards. Make the cards shorter and narrower than your pockets so they slide out easily. Next, write one family activity on each card and place it in a pocket on your tree. Hang the tree and have a family member draw the card from the corresponding pocket each day of December.
Mix the family activities with planned events and unexpected treats. Your children will love the daily surprise, and you'll love having a schedule.
Advent card ideas:
• Decorate your tree
• Attend a Festival of Trees as a family
• Take a wagon or horse-and-buggy ride to see your town's decorations
• Shop for gifts for other children through a local charity
• Unwrap a book to read
• Have hot cocoa and cookies with your neighbors
• Open your special ornament and hang it on your tree
• Make a craft with Mom
• Write a letter to a relative
• Go to the Christmas program at church
• Attend a live nativity
• Go sledding with Dad
• Hold a Christmas movie night
• Go caroling
• Wear new jammies to bed
• Play a board game
• Decorate cookies
• Read the story of Jesus' birth
• Wrap presents together
• Shoot a family video with a favorite Christmas song
• Visit terminally ill children in the hospital or elderly nursing home residents
• Attend a symphony concert
• Go to the movies
• Make your own Christmas cards and send them
• Have eggnog or boiled custard
Share your family's own advent activities in the comment field below!