Project: Advent Calendar

I really like advent calendars – I’m always looking for a new way to help the kids countdown.  I save a lot of energy when there is no need to answer the question, “How many days until Christmas.”  My favorite advent calendar is one that I had when I was growing up.  My mom made it and it shows Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem.

The cradle is empty until the 25th:

And, for all of my siblings who are wondering how I got this cherished piece, . . . just offer to help mom with an organizational project, and you usually come away with some kind of treasure.

In addition to this advent calendar, I also wanted to incorporate some kind of countdown that included treats – because you know, we hardly get any treats around the holidays.

It all started with these little rejected tins (similar to these) I got from my brother, Sean, a few years back.  He was doing a project for a client, and ordered several of these.  Some were slightly damaged, so I sold them for him on eBay and ended up keeping a few for myself.  I always had these in mind for some kind of advent calendar, but it never quite came together.

And my friend Kirsten gave away a magnetic board that she couldn’t use (which I love), and so the ideas started rolling

FIRST, I ordered magnets.  The regular craft magnets weren’t strong enough, so I bought the neodymium discs (1/2 inch).  They were so strong that I just set them inside the tin and the magnetism worked great (I tried superglue on the back, but the magnets kept separating from the tin).  SECOND, I contacted my friend , Diana Tillberg, who works her magic with vinyl at OnTheWallSigns, and ordered numbers 1-25 in red.  THIRD, I printed 25 different scripture references about the Savior on white cardstock rounds which fit nicely into each tin.  Adding candy seemed the only right thing to do . . . .

   

My board was a little tight, so I just put the tins on randomly, but if you made your own board, they could be in the shape of a Christmas Tree or Star or anything you wish.  Also, if you are lucky enough to still have a refrigerator that was magnetic, you could save money and skip the board all together. . . the possibilities are endless.

So, now, in addition to our “Road to Bethlehem” Advent Calendar, we have one that comes with scriptures and treats.  Each night we read a scripture and everyone gets a little taste of chocolate.  What could be better?

Comments

[Kirsten]

They turned out really adorable. The numbers make it so cute! You are right, the board is almost big enough, but not quite. Hard to beat the price, though.

[LeAnn]

Super cute!

[Mal]

I forgot about that advent calendar! Fun memories!