One of the most fun parts of Christmas is counting down to it 🙂
Usually, we do a 12 days of Christmas style countdown but this year I’m going to be ambitious and do the entire 25 days (!) Advent calendar style.
So, if you’re feeling ambitious too 😉 here are some ideas to get you inspired:
- Store bought Advent calendar: Pick out a cute one and then fill out little slips of paper for activities to do each day. Here’s a free printable to get you started- just cut and fold to place into your calendar. There are more than 25 ideas so you can pick and choose what works best for your family 🙂 Click HERE for the printable.
2. Decorate a Mason jar or cute pail: Love this idea from Mama.Papa.Bubba! Just print the free activity cards she provides, place into a mason jar (or cute pail) and you’re ready! 
3. Scrapbook paper: All those scraps of paper you have lying around can easily be converted into this super cute calendar from Ruby ReDesign. 
4. Use a shoe organizer: Why not upcycle a shoe organizer from the dollar store to act as your calendar?! I love that the pockets would be large enough to put a few small toys or treats.
5. Muffin tin calendar: Super adorable idea over at Club Chica.
I know that this time of year is already busy and the thought of adding one more item to the to do list is probably prompting anxious hand wringing! But, one idea that might help is just print out this list (or add your own ideas) and as each day arrives you can scan through the list of items and see what works for your family on that particular day. Watching a movie, drinking cocoa, and coloring sheets might be easy enough to accomplish on any given day. Then maybe one of the activities that require going out of the house can be done on a day that is less hectic and doesn’t have much else going on.
Above all, have fun and enjoy!
What Advent plans do you have? Do you already have a favorite Advent calendar?