Many years ago my children received an Advent calendar from my husband's aunt. She had made felt ornaments to attach to a felt tree. All of the cousins used these Advent calendars as they waited patiently for Christmas to come each year for about 30 years. Aunt Marian had made four Advent calendars, one for each family. Each ornament had its own little pocket, 24 in all.
Two years ago, my two sister-in-laws and I decided that we would make an Advent calendar for our children now that they were grown and living on their own. Some were married and having children. We wanted this tradition to carry on for the next generation.
We divided up the 24 ornaments. Each of us would make 8. We had to make 12 of each ornament for our combined 12 children.
From the top we made sleighs, angels, train engines, drums, piggy banks, houses, stockings, candles, holly leaves, wrapped gifts, horses, snowmen, bells, gingerbread men, hearts, ornaments, tin soldiers, fish, birds, wreaths, candy canes, apples, mittens, and puppy dogs. The stars at the top were made by our Aunt Marian.
Here is the tree before trimming at the beginning of Advent. All the ornaments are tucked into a numbered pocket.
And the tree on Christmas Eve all decorated. The little ones love to choose an ornament and snap it on the tree. This is great for eye hand coordination. Children can talk about the colors and shapes of each ornament while placing them on the tree.
We added a Nativity scene under our Advent trees. My sister-in-law found the darling set of buttons and had to purchase them. They add a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.
Beti
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