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Busy families, here are simple Advent traditions to make your countdown to Christmas special and meaningful. Get started with easy activities and heartfelt moments that bring everyone together.
🕯️ Advent Candle
Paint alternating red and green stripes around a 3″ x 8″ candle (use nonflammable, nontoxic acrylic paint). Every night at dinner, decide one thing you are thankful for as a family. Light the candle and let it burn down one stripe.
🎄 Nativity Set
Slowly add pieces to the Nativity set.
First week: straw, stable, and animals.
The second week: Mary and Joseph a short distance away.
The third week: Angels, Star, and Shepard(away from stable).
The fourth week: Wise men away from the stable.
Christmas day: Place Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the stable. Place Shepard and wise men a short distance away.
📜 Christmas Coming Paper Chain
Cut 12 green strips and 13 red strips of construction paper. Write an activity of the day on each strip. Make the chain. You can find some activity ideas here
Instructions for making a Star Countdown Chain can be found here.
🧤 Christmas Mittens
Clothespin small socks or mittens to a piece of twine. Place a slip of paper with an activity written on it in each one.
📅 Christmas Window Calendar
Carefully mark off 25 squares on a piece of poster board. Leave at least a 3/8″ between each square. Mark a line in the middle of each box that designates the halfway mark horizontally. Mark a line lengthwise through the box using this mark as a guide. Cut with a craft each halfway mark and the box’s top and bottom. The boxes should be able to open as a window. Behind each window, tape a Christmas picture or an activity for the day.
🌲 Jesse Tree
There are three themes you can use for your Jesse Tree:
The genealogy of Jesus starts with Adam and Eve.
The prophecies of Jesus’ coming to earth from the Old Testament and the fulfillment from the New Testament.
Attributes of God/Christ, e.g., the rock, a door, etc.
Instructions for the wooden dowel tree with symbols and readings can be found here.
📦 Thankful Blocks
Wrap 25 blocks with white paper. Can decorate if desired. Each night decide on something the family is thankful for and write it on a block. Or you can write a prophecy and fulfillment on each block.
🎁 Gifts
Collect 25 sturdy boxes with separate lids. Paper mâché nesting boxes would be good. Wrap the boxes and lids separately from each other. Label the boxes with numbers from 1-25. Decorate the boxes as desired. In each box, you can place a piece of the nativity, a scroll with a prophecy printed, or an ornament for your Jesse Tree. Place these under the tree.
📆 Calendar
Use a large wall calendar. Each day glue a bow to the date.
🎀 Bow Garland
Tie a bow for each day of Advent on a long piece of ribbon. Drape the tree with the garland or hang it on the wall.
💐 Advent Wreath
This was a beloved tradition in our family. The wreath is created using three purple candles, one pink, and a white pillar candle in the middle. One candle is lit each Sunday, starting the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The pink candle is lit on the Sunday before Christmas. The fifth candle(the white pillar candle) is lit on Christmas Eve or Day. Each Sunday, scripture is read, a carol is sung, and a family activity is done. Instructions on how to make a wreath and scriptures can be found here
🪵 Yule Log
Drill 25 holes in a long log. Place 24 red candles and one white candle (in the center). Alternating ends of the log, light the number of candles each night to match the day’s date. Christmas Day, you will light all the red candles plus the white candle.
🌍 Christmas Around The World
Look up traditions celebrated in other nations. Make a craft or read a story about that custom.
💡 Quick Tip:
🛒 More Picks
- 🎨 Christmas Crafts at Michaels
- 🎄 Handmade Christmas Decorations on Etsy
- 🎅 Christmas Decorations at Target
💚 Hand Wreath
Trace the hands of the family members. On each hand, write an activity, a story to read, Jesse Tree reading, etc. Each day draw out a hand and do the activity. Glue the hand to a Styrofoam wreath.
📌 Add some laughs to the season with these Christmas skit ideas for kids.
❓ Questions People Ask
What Is The Best Way To Start An Advent Tradition?
Start with something small and manageable, like lighting an Advent candle each Sunday or adding to a paper chain. Choose activities that everyone can participate in and enjoy.
Can Advent Traditions Be Religious Or Secular?
Absolutely! Advent traditions can be tailored to fit your family’s beliefs and values, whether they are religious or secular.
Where Can I Find More Advent Tradition Ideas?
Check out our articles on Christmas Traditions: Christmas Day and Memorable Family Christmas Eve Traditions for more inspiration.
Note: Some links may be affiliate links.
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