"Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience."
Thanksgiving is over and now that the beginning of December is upon us its time to start the countdown to Christmas. And of course we have to do it in a fun, creative, and personal way and that is how the Tin Advent Calendar was born. While doing a little online research I found out that the word 'Advent' comes from the latin word 'andventur' meaning 'arrival'. Ahhh...itall makes sense to me now! Now that I'm responsible for teaching the little man some important stuff I figured that I better fill in some of those blanks in my information bank so when the lil man asks "Why" or "what's that" I'll be equipped with something besides "I dunno" or "Go ask your dad". Hence the little research. I love the internet :).
I finally got to my project and as you might notice its not quite an Advent Wreath like I had planned, but more of an Advent calendar. The original plan was to cut out a circleout of some cardboard I had and then add the tin cans around the circle like wreath decorations. But as I sat there decorating every tin I decided to change my game plan. I really liked how they looked next to each other so I wanted to keep them in the grid. Lucky for me the DollarTree came to the rescue again! The circle tins, cookie pan, and ribbon are all from the Dollar Tree. The paper that was used was all left over Christmas paper from last year. This creative and fun Advent Calendar can be made for under $10 if you already have paper and stickers and could probably still be made for under $15 if you need to buy paper and stickers. Here's what you need:
MATERIALS:
Circle Tins(I found mine at the DollarTree in packs of 4. They can also be found at Michaels for a lot more money)
Cookie Pan
Ribbon
Paper
Stickers
Glue Gun
Tape
Pencil
Scissors
HOW TO:
1. Trace the circle tin onto a piece of heavy cardstock. Cut it out. Use this as your template. Trace around 24 pieces of paper and cut out. Have fun! This is where the kids can help if they are old enough.
2. Once the papers are cut out lay them out in a color grid that you like. Then apply number stickers.
3. Keeping the papers in the order you like start inserting the paper onto the inside of the tin. You may need to tape them in place on the inside. Put it back in its grid place and move on to the next. Do with all 24.
4. Take your cookie pan and arrange all the tins onto the cookie pan so they are equally spaced. Start using your glue gun to glue the bottom of the tin to the cookie pan. Continue with all 24.
5. Use your glue gun to attach the ribbon to the back of the cookie pan. You can make a bow or just a loop to hang it.
6. Fill your advent tins with lots of treasures!
This year we are going to do a treasure hunt advent calendar. Since Lil Man is 2 and not the brilliant girl on the Today show that can already read, we are going to simplify it for him. We are going to take pictures of places where the present might be hidden and he has to go find it. For example, we may take a picture of shoes so that he has to go look in the closet to find his gift. We're doing a combination of this and putting little surprises in the tin like chocolate and stickers. Other ideas might include inspirational quotes, a little part of the Nativity Story, chocolate, stickers, or clues to where the little gift might be hidden.
Enjoy and YAY! for the Holiday season!
Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!
