Advent Calendar Tutorial and Pattern

Every Christmas season I remember as a kid included family devotions each night around the dinning room table. They revolved around a felt Christmas tree and a devotional book that is now out of print. The simplicity of each lesson must have hit home for me as a kid, because the Bible verses we memorized are still engraved in my mind. We LOVED taking turns selecting the corresponding ornament each night and placing it on the tree. A friend of mine reminded me of this book, just the other day, when she said my dad had recommended it to her. Sadly, the book is out of print, but can still be purchased used on Amazon. Buy it here: Family Celebrations: Meeting Christ in Your Holidays and Special Occasions.

*Update! I just discovered an updated version of Ann Hibbards book which can be found here: Celebrating Advent: Devotions and Activities for the Christmas Season This new book includes 2 full seasons of devotions, as well as added discussion questions and further study of older children and adults. Looks good to me!

The original book includes family activities and devotionals for many holidays throughout the year. I spent some time adapting the material they provide for Christmas devotions, and condensed it into one file that includes everything you'll need to start your own advent tradition.
 
Download my FREE adaptation of the nightly devotional here:

Advent Tree Family Devotions

*This download also includes a printable version of the ornaments that correspond with each night's theme, as well as a template for a felt Christmas tree.

DIRECTIONS:

This is the no-sew, fast and easy version!!

For my tree, I cut a 40" x 20" white felt background. I folded the top over 3" and hot glued it in place so a stick could be slid through for hanging purposes. I cut 2.5" x 2.5" squares in various colors of felt for each ornament's pocket. The ornaments are printable images, mounted on colored foam from the dollar store. I hot glued these in place with a piece of string between the image and the foam. If I had tons of extra time, I would have used embroidery thread to add detail to the tree and to number each pocket. I was lazy and in a hurry, so I used squeezable fabric paint. Worked like a charm! I even hot glued the buttons on, being careful to use only a tiny bit in the center so the ornaments would be able to hang from them. I got started on this project a little late this year, but thought I would finish it and be ahead of the game next year!

Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Breakfast

The recipe for these "Rise and Shine" Sausage Oatmeal Cups was ripped out of a magazine in time for the Christmas of 1996. I know this because the coupon for sausage expired in March of '98. Since then, it has been passed around my family and long since became a holiday favorite. Christmas morning breakfast just is not complete without these delicious little sausage cups. They look so impressive, but really come together rather easily. The best part is that you can make the sausage part ahead of time and keep in the fridge or freezer. This year, I will be making them the night before and substituting a little water where the recipe calls for milk. I'll also be omitting the cream cheese to keep this recipe dairy free.

Rise and Shine Sausage Oatmeal Cups

Sausage Cups:

1 lb. Roll sausage (uncooked)

1 T Finely chopped onion

2/3 Cups rolled oats 

1 Egg white

Scant 1/4 cup milk

Filling:

8 Eggs

1/2 Cup soft cream cheese

3/4 Cup fresh chopped and seeded tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes, drained

2 T Snipped fresh chives, dill or green onion tops

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the cups ingredients listed above. Divide the mixture evenly into 12 muffin tin cups. Press mixture firmly around the bottom and sides to form hollow cups. Bake 12-15 minutes or until done. Remove from oven, drain cups on paper towels and keep warm. Cups could be frozen or refrigerated at this point. Simple reheat in oven when ready to serve and cook filling.

In large skillet, begin scrambling the eggs. When almost done, fold in remaining ingredients and finish cooking. Divide mixture into the sausage cups and serve hot. 

Printable Christmas Images

"The One who made us has come to live with us!" (from Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones)

Click on the image size of your choice, then right click and save to your computer. Print out and frame or hang on your fridge! I just love the wording of this phrase. Such an awe inspiring statement to ponder during the Christmas season.

8x10  JPG Image

4x6 JPG Image

5x7 JPG Image

100 Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas

Handmade gifts are fun, thoughtful and can be very budget friendly! They don't have to be cheesy or tacky. On the contrary, the popularity of handmade items has skyrocketed in recent years with more and more people making an effort to shop locally, support small businesses and buy things that are Eco friendly. Check out all the great ideas that are sure to  be a hit with your family and friends. For lots and lots of ideas like those pictured on the left, check out the Handmade Holiday's collection found here. If you're not very confident in your own crafting abilities, consider supporting great small businesses and stay-at-home moms that have set up shop at sites like Etsy 

>> Gifts for Kids <<

Build this nifty personalized Lego tray using the tutorial found here

Make a fun place to store and carry cars! Find the tutorial here

An adorable selection of felt food! Find lots of ideas here

Makeitdo has a very cute tutorial on a Snowman Kit.

>> Gifts for the Home <<

Burlap Wreaths are so versatile for every season.

Gift Ideas for the Baker at I Heart Organizing

These pinecones are transformed here by Martha Stewart.

Fabric Covered Boxes Get the tutorial here.

Grab a frame from your house and download this 

free Christmas Subway Art here.

Burlap Rose Wreath Tutorial

Frame a Sentimental Family Saying! For this idea, Click Here

Easy to create Felt Stockings

 >> Easy Gifts for Kids to Create and Give <<

Here's a great opportunity to create some fun gifts for friends and loved ones. This no sew apron is a wonderful intro.

Kids love making Salt Dough Ornaments!

Peppermint Ornaments that while being created and popped in your children's mouths will not hurt them :) Thanks, Martha Stewart and crew.

Find full instructions here Angel Paper Plates provided by Martha Stewart.

Cinnamon Ornaments Click here for the recipe.

>> Gifts for Santa <<

Milk for Santa from DukesandDuchesses.com

Many families make cookies for Santa, but here's a cute gift around that theme from makeitdo.

>> Accessories and Apparel <<

This easy to sew tutorial from Design Sponge for a zipper case could be used for school supplies, make up or a small assortment of anything!

Here's a cute iPad or Tablet case!!

American Girl Matching Clothes Set

 More Ideas...

We've Linked Up With These Great Blogs!!

Growing Home, Craft-O-Maniac, A Glimpse Inside

Top 10 Advent Resources for Kids

Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story

Allow me to share with you a collection of Christmas books, videos, and other resources my family has enjoyed over the years. These are some of our favorite things to use during the Christmas season that help keep Christ at the center of our celebrating. What are your favorite things to use with your kids during the advent season?

What's In The Bible? Buck Denver Asks...Why Do We Call it Christmas?

The Nativity Story 

Great for kids age 6 and up. Some scenes may be a little intense, but use discresion, you know your kids best! We watched it together as a family with my kids age 6, 4 and 2 and they all just about made it through to the end without losing interest. My 6 year old really did find it interesting, the other two were hit and miss, but even when they don't seem to be paying attention, you never know what they are soaking in! 

Check out this collection of great advent calenders and other resources, found here

What God Wants for Christmas: An Interactive Nativity

My kids have loved using this for the past few years.

It is a great resource best used for kids age 3 to 8 (my approximation). 

It includes a short, daily devotional reading set to rhyme, 

and a small present to open each day containing a piece for the nativity set. 

On the last day, what God wants for Christmas is revealed to be "YOU!" 

Inside the last gift box is a mirror!   

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Reading Schedule

The Jesus Storybook Bible is one of our favorite Bible storybooks for kids. 

Each story from the Bible is told in a beautiful way that always points to Christ.

This is an example of one way to use the Jesus Storybook 

as your family devotions during the month of December. 

This is a really cute board book, perfect for little kids, age 2 to 6. The daily devotional readings are short and sweet and many include suggestions for age appropriate activities. Find it here

Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene Playset

Peanuts 9 Piece Mini Figure Christmas Set

Throw Jesus a birthday party! 

What better way for young children to make the connection between 

Christ and Christmas, then speaking to them in this tangible way. 

Our family always incorporates a birthday cake and singing in with our big Christmas meal.

Happy Birthday Jesus Party Supplies

We're linked up with

Craft-O-Maniac

25 DIY Christmas Ornaments

Get into the Christmas spirit by making some fun ornaments! These ideas are inexpensive and completely within reason for any skill level to master. Find lots of ideas like the ones pictured here on the left, by checking out the Handmade Holidays Collection here.

Make these adorable cupcake ornaments using Dollar Store. materials. Find the tutorial here

This idea for some adorable little felt snowmen comes from 

the Handmade Holidays Collection found here

Cute upcycled snowman ornaments using old light bulbs! 

View the tutorial here

Find the recipe for Cinnamon dough ornaments here

An adorable idea for a baby's first Christmas. Buy this ornament on Etsy, 

or grab a plain glass ornament and get crafty with some paint and glitter

Classic salt dough ornaments are fun and easy to make! 

Find the recipe and ideas here

Super cool Charlie Brown felt ornaments! Find them here

A beautiful way to preserve Christmas memories each year. 

This idea for a Christmas time capsule can be found here

This idea for cookie cutter ornaments comes from Martha Stewart

A trendy twist on the traditional salt dough ornaments! Tutorial found here

Add some sparkle to your cinnamon dough ornaments like the ones seen here

These pretty ornaments are wrapped in burlap and tied with lace and twine. 

This picture was found here

These scalloped ornaments are super cute and you could buy them from 

The Land of Nod, or you could get creative with a paint pen or colored sharpie!

Any little boy would love to hang these superhero ornaments on their tree! Find the tutorial for them here

These paper ornaments were originally from Martha Stewart. 

Find the template idea for them here

These beautiful ornaments are created by wrapping plain ornaments 

in newspaper and glitter! Find the tutorial here

Thumbprint ornaments found here

Create a smart and funny "melted snowman" ornament like the one found here 

by filling a clear glass ornament with kosher salt, peppercorn and an orange paper cone!

Make a Santa hand print ornament like the one found here 

by using a salt dough recipe like the one found here

These cute macaroni snowflakes would be really fun for kids to make, 

and look great on any tree! Find the instructions here

These burlap bows would look stunning on a tree! Originally found here, 

create them using burlap and crystal embellishments.

These felt ornaments are cute and funny! Found here

Find the tutorial for this cute button wreath at Martha Sewart's web site

This adorable nativity craft can be found here.  

Add a string or hook to the back to turn it into an ornament!

Buy this snowball ornament from Oriental Trading or, 

make it yourself by covering an ornament in glue 

and dipping in epson salt. Add glitter for extra sparkle!

We're linked with 

Craft-O-Maniac