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Christmas

DIY Hanging Advent Calendar

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Make a Hanging Advent Calendar (Christmas countdown calendar) for your kids throughout the holiday season. It’s an activity they’ll look forward to and you’ll already have some things planned out to keep them busy! This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

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Making Advent Calendars

Last year, I made this calendar for our kids. It was not my first time making an Advent calendar but it was my first time trying this one with a tree branch. It has a touch of Scandinavian Christmas which I love. It brought such a feeling of cozy and hygge to our little area. I got to admit, it was a little more work that I pictured but the kids had so much fun using it daily! I’ve always wanted to make one like this and was thrilled with the outcome. Wanna make one?

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Be sure to grab a large fallen tree branch from outside (or grab a branch from a tree if you have permission to do so) and then everything else listed below and get started. I had all the step-by-step images done and edited. Unfortunately, my laptop had a crash and I lost those images:(

Hanging Advent Calendar

You’ll need:

  • Tree branch (in preferred length)
  • Burlap Drawstring bags
  • Jute Twine
  • Holiday Ribbon
  • Christmas Countdown Numbers – Pint it out here: Advent Calendar Numbers 1- 25
  • 1 to 2 sheets of printer paper plus scissors (for writing out the activities)
  • Candy canes
  • Other treats or small trinkets (optional)
  • Small decorative items such as Holly & berry bunches, greenery, etc. (optional).

What to do:

  • Cut out a piece of jute string long enough for hanging (about 2 ft).
  • Firmly tie one end of the string to one end of the branch, then secure the other end. Set the branch aside.
  • Print and cut out numbers 1 through 25; punch a hole in each one.
  • Run a 6 inch piece of ribbon through each of the holes on the numbers (but do not knot them yet). Set the numbers aside.
  • Take one drawstring bag,ย draw the string to close leaving just enough room to be able to push a candy cane along with small pieces of paper through the bags.
  • Note: You can fill the bags with treats or toy trinkets before doing the next step.
  • Take number 1, a piece of decorative ribbon. Tie the ribbon around the mouth of the bag in just one knot. Now weave that same ribbon with the bag around the branch, starting on the left.
  • Repeat with all the other bags until you get to number 25 and all the bags are on the branch.
  • Cut out strips of paper to write the activities for each bag. Then place one in each bag allowing them show at the top (see my photos)
  • Place a candy cane in some of the bags. Decorate the rest of the bags with small holiday dรฉcor items, if you choose.
  • Now hang the calendar in a desired spot in your home.

Advent-Calendar-Rustic-Advent-Calendar-Scandinavian-Advent-Calendar-Using-a-Tree-Branch-Advent-Calendar-Ideas-Christmas-Countdown-Calendars-Advent-Calendars-on-Pinterest-athomewithzan

How to Use the Advent Calendar

Each day, your child would pull out the paper to read the activity. If you have placed treats and toy trinkets in the bags, let him or her take down the bag to find the. There’s no need to put the bags back up once they have been taken down.

Note: If your child or children are too young to read, maybe you can print out photo activities or read the activities to them. In our case, we have children at different levels – the ones who were able to read, read out the activities. Let each child take turns drawing out the activity slips from the bags.

Our kids had so much fun unraveling the activities for each day. Let’s not forget moms and dads that you’ll have to coordinate the activities so choose them wisely. Don’t make them complicated. Here are some ideas below.

Advent Calendar Activities

  • Read & discuss the birth story of Jesus
  • Make a holiday craft
  • Bake something together (Christmas cookies)? Yes, please!
  • Watch a holiday movie with the littles (don’t forget the popcorn)
  • Go watch Christmas lights
  • Put a gift together for someone
  • Find some more ideas from my holiday list here

I hope you fun making this Advent Calendar if you decide to try it. And hope your little ones (and big ones) enjoy the daily activities too.

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Hanging Advent Calendar - Rustic Advent Calendar - Scandinavian Advent Calendar Using a Tree Branch - Advent Calendar Ideas - Christmas Countdown Calendars - Advent Calendars on Pinterest - athomewithzan

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

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