I did not grow up with an Advent Tradition in my home. So a few years ago, when our dear friends the Kaetzel's invited us over to light an Advent candle, read Scripture, and sing songs together, I knew I wanted to start a tradition of our own. I loved the idea of being more intentional with focusing on the birth of Jesus, and also focusing on family during the busy holiday season.
Paul and I celebrated our first Advent in 2012 which I wrote about here. And then, we didn't celebreate Advent. Typically we were traveling around the holiday season and it just seemed like too much of a stressor. Last year we had Elijah, but we were still learning to survive as new parents.
This year, and going forward, I wanted to revive Advent in our home. I especially wanted to focus on traditions that we can build as a family. I started collecting a list of activities that we could do now, and that we can do as Elijah grows older.
This year we will be reading through the Jesus Storybook Bible and hanging a Jesse Tree ornament each night. I love these ornaments that we purchases last year from Inspired Traditions, they are classic and beautiful.
For our Advent Calendar I created Family Activity cards that slide easily into each pocket of our Advent Calendar. I found a great template for labels on Etsy from Huckleberry Hearts. I used the template to create the activity cards, printed the cards, cut them out and then laminated them so that they will last for years. I recently purchased a laminator that was on sale on Black Friday and I am in love! Once I finished this project, I started looking around for other things to laminate. I created a few blank labels so that I could be inspired each year for new activities.
I hope you enjoy this download! Happy Advent to you!
Lovely! Happy Advent to you too!!
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