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Christmas Advent suggestions?

seemesew
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seemesew

seemesew 424

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I would like to do a Christmas advent this year with books, recipes, and crafts (but not hard ones), preferably one that brings in Christ, and can be used for all ages. Do you know of one?  

ETA: I don't mind if it is missing some of my wants as I can add a bit if needed.

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ScoutTN

ScoutTN 24,648

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A Jesse tree is fun!

Cindy Rollins' Advent devotional, Hallelujah, uses Handel's Messiah and is lovely. Listening to a little of it each day is a great way to tune your heart for the season!

I also like Nancy Guthrie's collection of short essays and sermon excerpts, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. 

We always have an advent wreath made from fresh greens and use beeswax candles for advent candles. Smells nice! 

Many nice Christmas picture books are Christ centered. Song of the Stars and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey are two of our favorites.

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Carol in Cal.

Carol in Cal. 24,726

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Start with the wreath, see how it goes.  

“The Very First Christmas” by Paul Maier is a gorgeous picture book that is simple enough for littles and engaging enough for older kids.

This is a particularly beautiful set of Jesse Tree ornaments, and pretty much a lifetime use purchase:

https://www.adcrucem.com/collections/christmas/products/ad-crucem-advent-jesse-tree-collection

One thing I always did was spread Christmas presents through the 12 days of Christmas.  Not every day, but spread out, with something shiny or lit for Epiphany, and a special celebration on New Year’s Eve, and Ableskivers with those Danish white and red woven paper heart baskets for New Year’s Day, and other presents over time.  That way it wasn’t such a let down after Christmas.

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Ellie

Ellie 34,398

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On 10/30/2020 at 2:28 PM, seemesew said:

I would like to do a Christmas advent this year with books, recipes, and crafts (but not hard ones), preferably one that brings in Christ, and can be used for all ages. Do you know of one?  

ETA: I don't mind if it is missing some of my wants as I can add a bit if needed.

A friend does an Advent calendar differently: each day her children do a work of mercy, something for someone else (I'm sure she has specific things already chosen ahead of time). On Christmas Eve, they go shopping for diapers and baby clothes and whatnot, and take everything to a maternity home.

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seemesew

seemesew 424

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thanks for all the suggestions! I'd never heard of a Jesse Tree but I found a Free one that seems pretty good! https://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/11/give-the-gift-of-literacy-giveaway.html

Also I found this one Called Slow and Sacred that seems good as well (you have to search youtube for a flip through) https://jennifernaraki.com/slow-sacred-advent/

I'm also leaning towards Peaceful Press's Preschool Christmas unit https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com/the-christmas-guide

I've been trying to do my own but I'm getting to overwhelmed! There are so many things to look at!

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goldenecho

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How young are the ages?   I love the book Treasures of the Snow for an advent book.   It's 24 or 25 chapters, starts and ends at Christmas, and has such a wonderful Christian story of forgiveness and faith.   It's something that really impacted me as a child and I loved reading it to my children.  But I'm not sure if it's "all ages."   I think the best age range is upper elementary to early middle school, but I'm sure my mom read it to me earlier, and I read it to my kids earlier than that.   (Except my youngest, who had a low tolerance for reading things without pictures until about age 9). 

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seemesew

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On 11/1/2020 at 5:51 PM, goldenecho said:

How young are the ages?   I love the book Treasures of the Snow for an advent book.   It's 24 or 25 chapters, starts and ends at Christmas, and has such a wonderful Christian story of forgiveness and faith.   It's something that really impacted me as a child and I loved reading it to my children.  But I'm not sure if it's "all ages."   I think the best age range is upper elementary to early middle school, but I'm sure my mom read it to me earlier, and I read it to my kids earlier than that.   (Except my youngest, who had a low tolerance for reading things without pictures until about age 9). 

I have a wide range of 3-15 so just about anything and I'll adapt as needed.

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Hunter

Hunter 31,349

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I am looking too. I found this.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/final_advent_calendar.pdf

Nativity Paper Dolls

https://makingfriends.com/holiday-paper-doll-friends/

I am celebrating Advent alone this year for the first time since my divorce. Years ago, with my boys, I kind of just winged it: being together was the event. Alone, I need to create specific traditions for each Sunday. I think I want to add specific decorations each Sunday, and eat different specific foods on different Sundays, and make each Sunday a specific holiday. And repeat that year after year.

I bought a gingerbread house and want to figure out which Sunday I want to put it together.

I think I want to hang some lights and window stickers on an earlier Sunday before I put up the tree on a later Sunday.

I think Christmas cards will be started on a specific Sunday.

Even if an activity carries over to through the week or multiple weeks, I want to START all major activities on a Sunday, and link them to a specific Advent Sunday.

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Hunter

Hunter 31,349

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Assigning activities to Sundays: any ideas about that?

https://www.mercyhome.org/blog/sunday-mass/advent-wreath/

Quote

 

The candles also have their own special significance. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice.

The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve. This candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ. The color white is for purity—because Christ is our sinless, pure Savior.

 

Free printable Activities

Nativity Animals that will work with the above paper dolls

https://stranamasterov.ru/img4/i2015/11/27/392617_vertep_shablon4-431x600.jpg

Paperplate Angel

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/f6/b5/79/f6b579c9c0d664cd9cc5f9bc5c1f231f.jpg

Angel paper chains

https://www.auntannie.com/Christmas/PaperAngels/

Cut snowflakes (counts as a "math lab")

https://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Snowflakes/

Make pop up cards

https://www.auntannie.com/GreetingCards/Step_Popup/

 

 

 

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seemesew

seemesew 424

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On 11/4/2020 at 2:44 AM, Hunter said:

I am looking too. I found this.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/final_advent_calendar.pdf

Nativity Paper Dolls

https://makingfriends.com/holiday-paper-doll-friends/

I am celebrating Advent alone this year for the first time since my divorce. Years ago, with my boys, I kind of just winged it: being together was the event. Alone, I need to create specific traditions for each Sunday. I think I want to add specific decorations each Sunday, and eat different specific foods on different Sundays, and make each Sunday a specific holiday. And repeat that year after year.

I bought a gingerbread house and want to figure out which Sunday I want to put it together.

I think I want to hang some lights and window stickers on an earlier Sunday before I put up the tree on a later Sunday.

I think Christmas cards will be started on a specific Sunday.

Even if an activity carries over to through the week or multiple weeks, I want to START all major activities on a Sunday, and link them to a specific Advent Sunday.

Hunter! ❤️ I always enjoy your posts! 

I'm sorry you'll be alone! What a hard time but I'm glad you're making the most of the season for yourself.

I love your ideas here with simple meaningful activities. I should just make my own since I'm never perfectly happy with what I find or buy, but I also don't know quite where to start since I've never done one. Your links are great and I am going to see where they take me 😉

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seemesew

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On 11/4/2020 at 2:44 AM, Hunter said:

I am looking too. I found this.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/final_advent_calendar.pdf

Nativity Paper Dolls

https://makingfriends.com/holiday-paper-doll-friends/

I am celebrating Advent alone this year for the first time since my divorce. Years ago, with my boys, I kind of just winged it: being together was the event. Alone, I need to create specific traditions for each Sunday. I think I want to add specific decorations each Sunday, and eat different specific foods on different Sundays, and make each Sunday a specific holiday. And repeat that year after year.

I bought a gingerbread house and want to figure out which Sunday I want to put it together.

I think I want to hang some lights and window stickers on an earlier Sunday before I put up the tree on a later Sunday.

I think Christmas cards will be started on a specific Sunday.

Even if an activity carries over to through the week or multiple weeks, I want to START all major activities on a Sunday, and link them to a specific Advent Sunday.

On 11/4/2020 at 2:44 AM, Hunter said:

I am looking too. I found this.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/final_advent_calendar.pdf

 

Ohh just looked at this one it looks nice too! Maybe I can combine it nicely with the sonlight one.

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Hunter

Hunter 31,349

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On 11/5/2020 at 4:04 PM, seemesew said:

Hunter! ❤️ I always enjoy your posts! 

I'm sorry you'll be alone! What a hard time but I'm glad you're making the most of the season for yourself.

I love your ideas here with simple meaningful activities. I should just make my own since I'm never perfectly happy with what I find or buy, but I also don't know quite where to start since I've never done one. Your links are great and I am going to see where they take me 😉

I'm not buying a wreath or special candles. I realized that a greeting card with a picture of a Nativity with a single tea light candle burning in front of it is enough. It is the scripture reading and activities and connection to people (present, far away, and in times past) that are enough.

This year is a test-run for some of us. Packaged is a model to get us started and then we will have a year to think about it and integrate what we learned into all holidays throughout the year until we find our own natural rhythm. 

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seemesew

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On 11/11/2020 at 9:59 AM, Trilliumlady said:

I ordered this and it just came.  I like that it’s a bit different! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/748748785/jesse-tree?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=jesse+tree&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&organic_search_click=1

It must have been popular! Its all sold out now though.

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seemesew

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On 11/10/2020 at 12:02 AM, Hunter said:

I'm not buying a wreath or special candles. I realized that a greeting card with a picture of a Nativity with a single tea light candle burning in front of it is enough. It is the scripture reading and activities and connection to people (present, far away, and in times past) that are enough.

This year is a test-run for some of us. Packaged is a model to get us started and then we will have a year to think about it and integrate what we learned into all holidays throughout the year until we find our own natural rhythm. 

Ahh, that is the truth ❤️ That is what I'm looking for when its all said and done too.

 

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Hunter

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We have all heard that "Less is more," but when it comes to the holidays, "Less is elegant." When we figure out how to do each thing a bit more minimally and old-fashioned and less garish, it just gets better and better. It takes longer to be elegant, but it costs less. Yes, "time is money", but maybe we can figure out how to incorporate the work into the traditions.

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Hunter

Hunter 31,349

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I think I am going to use a box of Whitman's Sampler as an "Advent Calendar". One chocolate a day.  I love that the cover tells what is inside each chocolate. 

I have not seen a 24 oz box anywhere, yet. I think there are about 50 chocolates in that size, which is more than enough. I need to try some new stores. I will try a CVS. There is one about 2 miles from me that is not too far to walk, but not a store that use regularly. A Walgreens is closer.

 

fullsizeoutput_b1c.jpeg?ssl=1

 

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seemesew

seemesew 424

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On 11/20/2020 at 9:54 PM, Hunter said:

I think I am going to use a box of Whitman's Sampler as an "Advent Calendar". One chocolate a day.  I love that the cover tells what is inside each chocolate. 

I have not seen a 24 oz box anywhere, yet. I think there are about 50 chocolates in that size, which is more than enough. I need to try some new stores. I will try a CVS. There is one about 2 miles from me that is not too far to walk, but not a store that use regularly. A Walgreens is closer.

 

 

 

That is a Brilliant idea!!!

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staceyobu

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On 10/30/2020 at 10:36 PM, Tina said:

We read Jotham's Journey and the two following books by the author on various years.  Takes the kids right there, and end night ends with suspense.  Think they were reprinted recently.

 

This will be our sixth advent of reading the Jotham's Journey books. They are high action and some parts are a bit scary. My youngest started listening in at age 2, but it's something to watch out for if you have highly sensitive kids. There are four books in the series.

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Tina

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37 minutes ago, staceyobu said:

This will be our sixth advent of reading the Jotham's Journey books. They are high action and some parts are a bit scary. My youngest started listening in at age 2, but it's something to watch out for if you have highly sensitive kids. There are four books in the series.

Have you read the Easter one?

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