They say giving is better than receiving and I couldn't agree more. This advent calendar allows me to enjoy giving because I've made a few up for friends, and it allows them to both receive and give at the same time. Everyone's a winner!
I am going to follow this post in a few days with a video so if you want to follow along and make this project with me make sure you have signed up to receive my blog notifications and are following me on YouTube (click here).
I am going to follow this post in a few days with a video so if you want to follow along and make this project with me make sure you have signed up to receive my blog notifications and are following me on YouTube (click here).
Inside these bags are 24 envelopes of different shapes and sizes all numbered from 1-24 and tied with a ribbon.
Inside each envelope is an activity typed up and cut out. So each day the family or individual who has the calendar bag opens up the envelope for that date in December and completes the activity. Now here's the fun part, you can make them as fun or onerous as you choose! But of course, you want them to be able to complete it so make them achievable.
The best thing about this project is that you can make it with whatever papers or decorations you like.
Just use your scraps of DSP (don't make anything less than 3.5" squared or you will end up with envelopes too tiny to do anything with them).
And finish off with some matching ribbon or twine and something to decorate the front of the bags with.
Your friends and family are going to LOVE these! I've had so many requests to make them that I had to turn people away because I wouldn't have been able to get them done in time.
Inside each envelope is an activity typed up and cut out. So each day the family or individual who has the calendar bag opens up the envelope for that date in December and completes the activity. Now here's the fun part, you can make them as fun or onerous as you choose! But of course, you want them to be able to complete it so make them achievable.
The best thing about this project is that you can make it with whatever papers or decorations you like.
Just use your scraps of DSP (don't make anything less than 3.5" squared or you will end up with envelopes too tiny to do anything with them).
And finish off with some matching ribbon or twine and something to decorate the front of the bags with.
Your friends and family are going to LOVE these! I've had so many requests to make them that I had to turn people away because I wouldn't have been able to get them done in time.
For this project you will need (click the links to be taken to the products in my store):
- Christmas Designer Series Paper of your choice (If you don't have much spare paper to hand get some of the the Warmth & Cheer DSP which is less than half price at the moment in the Clearance Rack.)
- A circle punch (I used a 1" punch)
- A punch that is a bit bigger than the above punch (I suggest a 1 1/4" punch)
- Cardstock of your choice for stamping on and punching as the layered circled
- Either a pen to write the numbers on or a stamp with little numbers such as the Labeler Alphabet which I used.
- Adhesive
You will need a list of activities to put inside. I made two lists, one for families and one for individuals. To help you out I have included my lists below but there are hundreds of things you can add so get creative!
For families:
Shop for a gift to put under a giving tree.
Visit an elderly friend, relative, or parishioner.
Take a bouquet of flowers to the neonatal unit of your
hospital and ask the nursing staff to give it to the parents most in need of
some cheer.
Clean out your toy boxes and donate good quality items
to an opportunity store.
Raid the pantry for canned goods to donate to a
charity.
Take a Christmas card to your doctor’s office, the
local library, parish office, and/or dentist office.
Take a garbage bag to clean up rubbish from your neighbourhood.
Enjoy an afternoon of baking.
Make dinner together as a family and invite someone
who usually dines alone.
Read the Christmas story in the Bible.
Write a letter to Jesus thanking him for the gifts you
have received though the year.
Make Christmas ornaments.
Go for a walk/drive to see some Christmas lights.
Play a card/board game as a family.
Go for a walk as a family.
Visit a church through the week and offer prayers of
intercession for people in your life who need them.
Make a silly Christmas video to email to friends (or
post on Facebook) on Christmas day.
Let everyone in the family choose a country and then
google to see how they celebrate Christmas there.
Make some personal and family New Years goals.
YouTube funny Christmas carolling videos together.
Celebrate Saint Nicolas Day (December 6th) by doing a
secret act of kindness.
Have a “fancy dress” code for dinner one night.
Have fish and chips on the beach/in the park.
Sing Christmas carols.
For individuals:
Shop for a gift to put under a giving tree.
Visit an elderly friend, relative, or parishioner.
Take a bouquet of flowers to the neonatal unit of your
hospital and ask the nursing staff to give it to the parents most in need of
some cheer (or take a bunch of flowers to a nursing home and ask for the
flowers to be given to the patient with fewest visitors).
Clean out your cupboards and donate good quality items
to an opportunity store.
Raid the pantry for canned goods to donate to a
charity.
Take a Christmas card to your doctor’s office, the
local library, parish office, and/or dentist office.
Take a garbage bag to clean up rubbish from your neighbourhood.
Enjoy an afternoon of your favourite hobby.
Invite someone to dinner who usually dines alone.
Meditate on the Christmas story in the Bible.
Write a letter to a friend thanking them for the gift
they are in your life.
Make or buy some Christmas baking and drop it off at a
neighbour’s house.
Go for a walk/drive to see some Christmas lights.
Play a game of cards with a family member or at work
with a colleague.
Go for a walk to get an ice-cream.
Visit a church through the week and offer prayers of
intercession for people in your life who need them.
Make a silly Christmas video to email to friends (or
post on Facebook) on Christmas day.
Watch your favourite Christmas movie.
Make some New Years goals.
YouTube funny Christmas carolling videos.
Celebrate Saint Nicolas Day (December 6th) by doing a
secret act of kindness.
Have a hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Have fish and chips on the beach/in the park.
List to the Kings College Choir sing Christmas carols.
Fiona