My home made Advent Calendar

Tomorrow is December 1 and for those of you who use an advent calendar, tomorrow would be the day that you would open the first door. When I was young, we always had an advent calendar that was full of glitter and had a pretty picture on it, sometimes Santa and his sleigh, sometimes Jesus in the manger. Behind each door there would be a cute little picture having something to do with Christmas. My mom always hung it on a window so the light would shine through the little windows as I opened them.
When my girls were little, we had that same kind of advent calendar until we discovered the ones with chocolate behind the little doors. These sweet ones quickly took over the plain ones.
Well, last year, while reading a favorite blog I read about an advent calendar that emphasized sharing with others as one got ready for Christmas. It took the emphasis off of the secular part of Christmas and put it back to where it belonged on Jesus and his birthday and to helping others.
There idea used small blocks for the numbers, but I used some of my scrapbook materials and created this advent calendar for Tizita. Each day she will turn over one of the numbers and follow the instructions on the back. Some days she will listen to the Christmas story from the Bible, some days she will make a present for someone and give it anonymously to them, some days she will sing Christmas carols with her family, some days she will help a neighbor with a chore, some days she will donate a toy to a needy child, donate food to a food pantry, or donate some of her clothing to St. Vinney's, one day she will say a prayer for our servicemen and send a letter of thanks to a veteran.
I did get many of the general ideas from the other blog, but I added some of my own ideas, too. I thought it was something that Courtney and Paul would like because of the emphasis it puts on helping others and spreading Christmas cheer. As Tiz turns over each number, she will find a sticker on the other side which will tell her what her task is for that day.

On the flip side of number 1 she will find holly and an ornament which tells her to put up some decorations in or outside of her house. On number 2 there is a Bible and on that day she will listen to her mama or papa read the Christmas story from the Bible.

My mom still bought her the traditional chocolate calendar and Courtney says she will be rewarded with one of those if she has performed the task of the day.

I am hoping that Tiz and Courtney and Paul will enjoy the calendar and use it for many years to come.

Happy Advent to all of you reading this. Make your hearts ready for the Savior's birth.