Tree Advent Calender Tutorial

Hi everyone.

I'm a new contributor to Pagan Parenting Resource Blog and I'm very excited to share a project with you that I've been meaning to get to for a couple of years now.  Advent calenders are lots of fun for kids since they add to the anticipation of the holidays and give the rather abstract idea of time a more concrete reminder.
My son is almost 3 and so the holidays are just becoming something that he remembers and looks forward to.

I would recommend this project for children 3 and up.  My son helped as much as he was interested which lasted until the painting was done.  The great thing about this project is that most of us with kids will already have this stuff lying around so you don't need to buy much at all.  For clarity I have compiled a supplies list but do substitute whatever you have that will work.  This took me one full day to complete.  If you have older children that can help out more it could be a half day or less depending on how elaborate you get. 

While traditional advent calenders count down the days to Christmas ours counts down to xmas eve or Santa's arrival.  Another option is to count down to the Winter Solstice which brings the sun's rebirth.  If that is more to your liking you may want to change the design to a spiral sun instead of an evergreen tree.  The sky is the limit on how you can interpret this for your family.  Have fun!

Supplies list:

• 1 package of pipe cleaners (various colours)
• 1 large and sturdy piece of cardboard or cardstock for mounting
• 2 cut up egg cartons
• green paint
• red paint
• brown paint
• white paint
• 1 package of treats for each day (I used chocolate covered almonds)
• scraps of fabric and ribbon or yarn to wrap almonds
• scissors
• hole punch
• glue
• green construction paper
• paint brushes
• buttons, cording, old holiday cards for making tree ornaments

 

To begin layout your tree to the desired size

Next cut out a strip of construction paper and punch a hole in the top

punch a hole in each of your egg carton pieces

loop a piece of pipe cleaner through the two holes and tie

be sure to leave enough extra pipe cleaner to attach your ornaments to the tree later on

Glue the strip of paper to the cardboard.  Egg piece should be able to flip up like so

Continue for each following row

Once they are all glued down proceed with painting the tree shape and each carton green

Next create your tree ornaments out of pipe cleaners, buttons, beads or ribbon.  Remember they have to be small enough to fit into the egg cartons

Next wrap your candies, chocolates or treats

Finally put each treat and ornament in its place and display.

For older children you can put in suggestions of activities that you'll do together or poems and sayings of the season.  Each year can be different for variety or you can keep the tradition as it is for sentimentality. 

I'll be back each month with a new craft project to share with your kids.  It's great to meet you all and I wish your families the happiest of holidays this year.