Advent Calendar

I love this time of year! We've been listening to Christmas music and getting out Christmas decor. (We don't have Thanksgiving at our home if we did my Christmas decor would not be coming out yet) Contrary to what people may say I'm not forgetting or overlooking Thanksgiving. We love Thanksgiving at our house...lots of yummy food, spending time with family and a day to spend remembering all that we have to be grateful for. Thanksgiving and Christmas go hand in hand for me. There's not a better way to start the Christmas season than to be reminded of what we have in our lives. I love the spirit and excitement that Christmas brings. By the time the week of Thanksgiving rolls around I want to be able to enjoy the holiday season and that includes my Christmas decor. It takes a lot of time to put up all those decorations and I don't want to have to worry about when we're going to have the time to do it so we get started early. The Christmas season is also a time for traditions and today I'm going to share one that I started with my own little family.

This is our advent calendar and countdown to Christmas, but instead of putting treats or prizes inside we do a special activity together as a family each day. I have a jar full of slips of paper with different activities on them to choose from. Each days activity depends on what we have going on that year or in some cases what the weather is like and some days we do multiple activities. (for example on a snow day we build a snowman and
make snow angels). At the end of November I look at the calendar and see what we've got going on for the month of December and put those activities in their box first. This year I knew when we had my side of the family Christmas party (which lasts all day long) so that is our activity for that day. It's supposed to be fun...not stressful! Also some of the activities will change as my children get older. This is something that is for everyone and can be adapted to every family. My oldest daughter gets so excited to open a box each day and see what we'll do together as a family.

Here's what you need to make it:

24 paper mache boxes in an assortment of sizes. The sizes of mine are 2"x2", 2.5"x2.5", 4.5"x3.5", 4.5"x4.5"

magnets for each box. I use the small silver circles that are really strong.

craft paint and brush

variety of numbers (different shapes and sizes) I used stickers, rub-ons and chipboard

different embellishments like jewels, paper cutouts and chipboard

modge podge

magnet board

1. Arrange boxes in the order you like. Then choose what color each box will be and paint all boxes and lids. Let them completely dry.
2. Put numbers on each box and embellish.
3. Apply a coat of modge podge for protection.
4.  Attach magnets to each box. The larger boxes I used 2.
5. Fill with your slips of paper.

Here is a list of ideas!

Read the about the birth of Christ in the bible.

Read a Christmas book.

Make a paper snowman.

Go Christmas caroling.

Go see the live nativity.

Wrap Christmas presents.

Make muffins.

Make and decorate gingerbread houses.

Go see Santa.

Learn to play a holiday song on an instrument.

Take a moonlit walk in the snow.

Invite family or friends to have a sleepover.

Cuddle under a blanket.

Learn to say “I Love You” in 5 languages.

Go ice skating.

Write 10 things you’re thankful for.

Write down the 10 best memories from the past year.

Attend a holiday concert.

Go see the nutcracker.

Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Share your favorite holiday memories.

Write down your favorite traditions.

Write down traditions you want to start with your family.

Bake Christmas cookies.

Go see the lights at temple square.

Ready a book by the fire.

Watch a Christmas movie.

Watch family videos.

Have dinner by candlelight.

Make breakfast food for dinner and eat in your pajamas.

Deliver neighbor and friend Christmas gifts.

Cut out paper snowflakes.

Make popcorn string.

Make cheerio string.

Make candy cane reindeer.

Take a ride to look at holiday lights and decorations.

Watch the snow fall.

Make reindeer puppets.

Build a snowman.

Eat snow.

Go sledding.

Make snow angels.

Write Christmas cards.

Write a letter to Santa.

Make a paper Christmas tree.

Make hot chocolate.

Enjoy!


*Make sure to check out the parties I link up at!

Eyechart Canvas

A few months back I found an awesome FREE website to make custom eye charts. You type in the text you want and it creates it for you. So AWESOME right? At that time I was working with the other fabulous young women leaders in my ward on our young women in excellence program. I am a member of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you can find out more about it here or by emailing me. I was in charge of the take home gift for the girls and our theme was "Become Something Extraordinary". As I was typing different text to fit perfectly on the eye chart I decided to enter in the theme and it fit perfectly! You seriously have no idea how excited I was! I have been so excited to share this with all of you!

• To create your eye chart click here. Or use any photo print you want.
• Print eye chart in desired size. We decided on 8x10 and printed them at Costco.
• You'll also need a canvas, modge podge and foam brush.

1. Cover your work area with a drop cloth, newspaper or whatever you have on hand.
2. Cut photo to exact size of canvas. You will want the edge of the print to be flush with the edge of the canvas.
3. Pour a generous amount of modge podge directly on canvas and use foam brush to spread and even layer on entire canvas being sure to go all the way to the edge. Brush the glue from the center towards the edge so you don't get globs of glue running over the edge of the canvas.

 

4. Press print on canvas firmly. 

5. Set aside and let it completely dry.
6. Once the canvas is dry you will put another layer of modge podge over the print using a foam brush. Make sure to spread the glue using long even strokes going from top to bottom.

7. Let canvas dry completely.

Not here's the lame part...I totally forgot to take a pretty picture of the final outcome! Take my word for it they were super cute!

There's so many different options of things you could create using the eye chart maker. Don't you think it would be such a cute personalized baby gift? Or a personalized wedding gift? Here's a couple I came up with.

Now go create your own! Enjoy!


*Check out these awesome parties I link up at!