Handmade Scrap Buster Advent Calendar

Last year I had a lot more time on my hands than I do now

And I got ambitious and decided I should make my own Advent Calendar!

I am all about traditions, and my husband and I are always looking to start new ones

I had received LOADS of my Grandmother's old fabrics including a whole tub of Christmas fabrics!

And I was chomping at the bit to use them!

I am so proud of this project

It was a pretty quick one too!

I measured out everything to make sure I could have reasonably sized pockets and still fit everything in a semi-small area.

I painted on the numbers of the pockets with acrylic paint

And I used snaps for the pockets, so they stay secured close. 

Christmas eve's and Christmas day's pockets are my favorite because they are a little bigger and made with an old vintage hankerchief

There is an activity or Bible verse for each day, and a candy for everyone in each pocket!

I laminated the little notes inside to keep them preserved and from getting bent up 

We picked up the candy last night at the store. 

Tristan wanted the mint kisses

Elliott loves Reese's

I'm a sucker for gummies

and Grace is a chocoholic

Now, I had a heck of a time finding activities and such for each pocket, it was harder than I thought it would be, I surfed all over to find enough good ones.

So I'll share mine with you:

1.   "Dear Santa"  Write your letter to Santa tonight!  Tell him why you think you deserve gifts this year.

2.   Glory to God in the Highest!  Step outside tonight and gaze at the heavens He created for you!

3.   Light a candle for our troops tonight.  Say a prayer for safety for those who can't be with their families this year

4.   "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and call His name Immanuel" Isaiah 40:3  (on the back: Immanuel means "God with us")

5.   December 5th, Tonight is Weinachten!  Also known as Saint Nicholas Day.  Tonight before bed leave your shoes by the back door and Weinachtsman (Santa) will leave treats inside!  (this is a German tradition)

6.   Sing a Christmas Song Together!

7.   Cuddle up in a blanket and sip some hot chocolate.

8.   Tonight make your own paper snowflakes and put them on the tree! (on the back:  Did you know that no two snowflakes are alike?!)

9.   Celebrate the season's treats! Eat dessert FIRST tonight! 

10.  Draw a Christmas picture, then hang it on the fridge!

11.  JOKE:  What is Santa's favorite Pizza?  (on the back:  one that's deep-pan, crisp, and  even!)

12.  Talk about Hope.  Think of 1 thing you are hoping for.  

13.  Read a Christmas book.  or two. or three!

14.  JOKE:  What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? (on the back:  Frost Bite!)

15.  Santa has so many different names!  including: Santa Claus, Sinter Klaus, St. Nick, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Pere Noel, Weihnachtsman, Father Christmas.\

16.  Make up your own Christmas story or song and share it.

17.  Lay down a blanket in the floor and have an indoor picnic.

18.  Watch your favorite Christmas Movie.

19.  How many words can you make with the letters in "MERRY CHRISTMAS"?  Let's make a competition of it!

20.  Make a list of ALL the gifts God has blessed you with and share.

21.  Remember that LOVE is the greatest gift we can give or be given.

22.  Get cozy in your PJ's and have Breakfast for Dinner (Brinner) tonight!  

23.  ARTS & CRAFTS:  Make your own Christmas Robin and put it on the tree.  (read about the Christmas Robin here and here)

24.  At dinner tonight describe what you love most about each person in your family.

25.  "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy! For today is born a Savior, Christ the Lord!" Luke 2:10

 Now I am off to stuff my pockets with candies and hand this baby on the wall!

While I was stuffing the pockets with candy this afternoon I commented on the tight squeeze for 4 pieces of candy in each pocket.  I told my husband that when we have more kids we will have to leave out the candies for us.  and he said, "No!  We'll just have to make a bigger one" 

 lol  he kills me

Tada!

Right next to the Tree.

Do you have an Advent Calendar Tradition?  

What are some of your activities you do?

I love to hear other people's traditions and appropriate them for myself!