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The countdown to Christmas Day has begun!
I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the anticipation of the day than with an Advent Calendar. Each day a new “present” is opened to reveal a special “Christmas” task or a treat to enjoy until the b day arrives!
Here is what you need to get started in making your very own Advent Calendar:
- Christmas wrapping paper
- Sharpie Marker
- Tape
- Scissors
- Velcro
- Twenty-four small boxes (I found some favor boxes in the wedding section of the craft store, but you can also find many tutorials to make your own)
- A Board made of wood, cardboard, or foam to display your calendar
Don’t forget to make this a family craft!!!
Enlist the help of your whole family in writing out special Christmas tasks on paper to put in the boxes. Some ideas include: enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, drive around to see the Christmas lights, watch a Christmas movie, read Luke chapter 2. You can also include little treats in the box such as chocolates or candies or even small toys. 
Insert the pieces of paper or treats into the boxes and again with the help of your family, wrap up the boxes with the Christmas paper. I let my kids help me wrap up the boxes which means they are not perfect, but perfection is not our goal here, it’s having fun getting into the Christmas spirit. So let them wrap away!
Arrange the presents into a Christmas tree pattern on your board. 
I used velcro to affix my boxes to the board, it makes it easy to take off when the day arrives.
Kids will especially love unwrapping a present each day, preparing them for the day they will open their big presents. The activities inside are a sure way to bring the family closer during the most wonderful time of the year! 
What is your favorite Christmas activity?
What a cute idea to do with the family! And, so easy too.
I love this idea. There are so many great things you could put in the boxes. I will have to make this for next year.
Awe what a sweet and clever idea. Looks so easy to make, my kids would enjoy this.
I love this idea for Christmas. I’ll have to remember this next year.
It’s a wonderful way to bring the family together during this precious season. I love the little gift boxes you created.
When I first saw the picture of this, I thought to myself…the tree is going to get messed up. Now, I see that you use Velcro to attach it to a board. Nice!
This is so neat. I have got to do that this year. Thanks for the idea. =)
Believe it or not, I have never had an advent calendar before. I love the idea of making one, though!
This is such a cute idea – I pinned your post and I will be doing this next Christmas! Very very cute idea!
This is such a nice idea to do at home and can be tweaked for something to do with colleagues at work. I just need someone who’ll help me wrap those boxes – needs a lot of patience 🙂
This is such an adorable idea! Not to mention something that won’t break the bank either.
This is so cute! I usually just pick up a candy one at Trader Joe’s.
That looks like a great idea! We’re going to try and do something similar next year.
My kids love opening presents. This would definitely be a fun advent calendar for them!
Oh I love this idea! My kids would just go crazy over opening the presents each day!
I love this idea – it is so cute! Maybe we’ll use it as a 12 days of Christmas thing – thanks for the idea 🙂
Very creative indeed! This is so pinterest worthy!
This is something that we haven’t done yet since me and my son got here in the U.S. I do remember having it when it when I was a kid though. 🙂
I love advent calendars. We have done them every year since I was little!
Such a precious idea, creative too! We did something similar with a garland but opening up a daily advent activity is so much more fun! 🙂
Awesome idea you have here.. thanks for sharing