Make Your Own Advent Calendar

Christmas is an inspiring but exhausting time of the year. We fill our days with preparation: buying and making gifts, shopping for food, establishing travel arrangements, going to parties, decorating the tree, decorating the house and more. It is rare when we get a few minutes to ourselves to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

That is the main reason I ensure that I take time to observe the custom of Advent every single day on the lead-up to Christmas Day. I enjoy taking time to enter into the true spirit of Christmas and think about my values and what Christmas means to me.

The word "advent" comes from the Latin word "aventus" meaning coming or arrival. It marks a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is only since the early 19^th century that this time has been counted down, building excitement; the first handmade Advent calendar was produced in Germany in 1851 for this very purpose.

Nowadays Advent calendars come in many forms. A favorite for children is the traditional cardboard poster with 24 miniature doors. One door is opened each day and behind the door usually lays a small chocolate and a Christmas-themed image.

There is, however, a variety out there to choose from, including candle wreaths, fabric calendars, countdown timers, wooden boxes and even digital countdown calendars for blogs and websites. It is difficult to decide which one is the best.

Personally I like the handmade and thoughtful touch to my Christmas. In my family our tradition is Advent sacks! We purchase 24 miniature gifts for each member of the family, ranging from candy to practical items such as a travel shower gel or maybe something more personal. These items are wrapped up and placed in decorated pillowcases; each person has their own. Each evening before bed the family all gets together, catches up for the day and selects one gift to open. We talk about Christmas and use this time for thanksgiving and reflection. Everyone goes to bed calm and happy and truly feeling the spirit of Christmas.

This year I decided to make a small countdown clock for my computer desk. I made it from chipboard, which I cut and scored to make a sturdy prism shape, covered it in Cosmo Cricket Christmas paper, cut a couple of apertures and decorated it. The two small boxes are removable and fit into the apertures. Each box has numbers on it like a pair of dice. Each morning when I sit at my computer I will change the numbers to show how many days are left until Christmas.

Perhaps something a little quirkier would suit you. This is another Advent calendar I have; this one is for my office. It is a Santa, made from cloth with 24 numbered felt pouches. I place small chocolates in each of the pouches and each day a different colleague gets to take the chocolate from the pouch.

Why not make your own Advent calendar this year? You could try any of these ideas or perhaps you could decorate a Karen Foster countdown calendar and hide small candies in each box. There are also some wonderful new papers with an advent theme; perhaps you could create a more traditional calendar using photographs and doors. I especially like the Bo Bunny Homespun Advent paper and the Making Memories Fa La La Advent paper as well as the Teresa Collins Tis the Season collection. You could make some great calendars with these papers and it's virtually made already for you; all you would need is a good craft knife.

I hope that you have a joyous Christmas and enjoy your daily time of reflection. If you decide to make an Advent calendar this year be sure to upload it to the gallery and share your ideas with others.

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