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joann10
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| Posted: Oct 25 2012 at 1:50pm | IP Logged
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I am looking for an advent calendar type activity. we have always gotten a Lego advent calendar, and of course, that has no religion involved in it. We have also failed many times over with a Jesee tree because i have never gotten the ornaments made in time, so it never worked out .  .
What are you all planning? I would love to read all ideas. 
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Oct 25 2012 at 2:23pm | IP Logged
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I mentioned in another thread that I've had good luck with this calendar as an alternative to the Jesse tree. We've never made it through a Jesse tree either, but these mini-books are simple and doable and continue to delight year after year. There is something about tiny books!
Last year, I made a calendar where I had an activity for each day, too. I spoke of it here, the last post in the thread showing a picture. My dining room is very different now, so I'll have to rethink how I modeled it, but there are lots of options for how to incorporate the activities idea into another more conventional advent calendar.
If you type "advent" into Pinterest, you get a HOST of ideas, but I think that this one was the one I saw that originally inspired me.
I'm also considering that my idea from last year was nice except that we were taking down the pretty things as Christmas aproached.. I liked the simplicity of the clothes line and clothespins, but maybe we will add the activities to the string instead of remove them? Still trying to decide. My whole set up will have to be revisited since our dining room is very different this year, and the mirror I used is in my bedroom now.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Oct 25 2012 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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I am eyeing this one on Amazon.
It is wooden, and one reviewer wrote that she wrapped the figures for each day in tissue paper to add an element of surprise, plus added a small candy- a caramel, a mint, a chocolate kiss- and a bible verse to each day.
I really like this idea, and it is no more expensive than buying a couple of Lego Advent calendars. Plus it is something I could see myself keeping and using long after my kids are grown.
For years we had to do a nonfood calendar, so at that time the Lego and Playmobil calendars were great. I know my kids will be somewhat disappointed not to have them again this year.
However, I hate the nonreligious themes, and last year I did have a lot of disappointment and even tears with my ds over his playmobil calendar.
He had a string of several days when each door revealed another tiny carrot for the donkey or another branch for the tree or whatever... nothing really interesting.
I think he'd much rather open the door and have a small candy treat each day, and I love the building the nativity scene theme. I think I'd rather have initial disappointment over no lego/pm and then happiness every day over the little wood figures and treats.
And this would relieve me of the burden of having two or more Advent calendars each year to keep up with- one religious and one nonreligious.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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MaryM
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This is what we do. Made it about 12 years ago. It is made from a Plastic Hardware Storage Box. Got the idea from Family Fun but made it religious. It is filled with parts to the nativity. I got those nativity pieces and trees from Hobby Lobby. We made the stable from toothpicks and Sculpey and the arches from glitter pipe cleaners and attached the bells. Technically it has too many drawers but we just don't fill the extra couple. There are ones with 25 drawers but they are all small drawers and this one has 4 larger ones for the bigger items.
When everything is out this is the little manger scene. This has been such a fun tradition for our family. The children take turns opening a drawer each day - well, at this point there is really only one still doing it with much enthusisam. Ah, the growing up...
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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organiclilac
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| Posted: Oct 25 2012 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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That is the one that we have and I LOVE it! I haven't tried putting anything extra in the doors, but I'm sure you could fit a small candy or verse (or activity idea) pretty easily. Hmm, maybe I'll try that this year! My son really enjoys putting a new piece on every day, and redecorating periodically. 
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Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Oct 26 2012 at 6:29am | IP Logged
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Last year we had this Advent calendar
and it is beautiful. My mom bought it for us.
I am stunned that it only costs $4.99! I was thinking she probably paid $15-20. It is large and can hang on a wall or in a window.
Right now CB has free shipping on orders over $35 as well
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Oct 26 2012 at 9:56am | IP Logged
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Found this pattern for a traveling Joseph and Mary Advent calendar.
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
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MaryM
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| Posted: Oct 26 2012 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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mamaslearning wrote:
| Found this pattern for a traveling Joseph and Mary Advent calendar. |
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Lara, that is neat - thanks for sharing it - yes, very 70's  I love that...very familiar....
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Bridget
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| Posted: Oct 26 2012 at 10:59am | IP Logged
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I just found this calander. It bothers my kids when the windows spoil the picture.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 27 2012 at 7:17am | IP Logged
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Ladies,
Thought of you all yesterday when I was in Target and found a wooden Advent calendar. It is $29.99 and has little doors that open for days 1-25. I know that its not the perfect calendar but since its empty you could put little nativity pieces inside and make it a fun time.
Thought I'd mention it in case anyone was headed to Target today:)
It is in the seasonal section by the candles and Christmas plates.
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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CSBasile
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Catholic Supply has a bunch of different Advent calendars, including the one listed by SeaStar (for only $49.95 versus $68 at Amazon). Here's the link:
http://www.catholicsupply.com/christmas/advcal2.html
I purchased the "3-D Wood Nativity Advent Calendar" last year. (Item #(Item #13985) We enjoyed using it although I thought the figures weren't painted as nicely as they look in the photo and the platform does get pretty crowded when all the figures are out. This year I think I'll add little Bible verses to each day.
Blessings,
Cheryl
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jawgee
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I really like Syncletica's Advent Calendars. They are not re-usable, but my kids really like to do them.
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Monica
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MaryM
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| Posted: Oct 29 2012 at 2:50am | IP Logged
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Saw this cute idea for Advent calendar on Pinterest. Source is Family Fun.
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Mary M. in Denver
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BlessedBGod
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Hi moms, the Vermont Christmas Company has a variety of Advent calendars including the chocolate ones which are our favorite. They wait until the weather is cool in the buyer's area before they send them out. What fun! The link is: www.VermontChristmasCo.com
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Mumzo
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jawgee wrote:
| I really like Syncletica's Advent Calendars. They are not re-usable, but my kids really like to do them. |
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I have these and made them re-usable--with my laminator and some velcro dots! 
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pumpkinmom
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SeaStar wrote:
Last year we had this Advent calendar
and it is beautiful. My mom bought it for us.
I am stunned that it only costs $4.99! I was thinking she probably paid $15-20. It is large and can hang on a wall or in a window.
Right now CB has free shipping on orders over $35 as well |
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I ordered this and love the big size and beautiful picture. Can't wait to start the Advent season!
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Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Nov 14 2012 at 8:28am | IP Logged
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I just came across this Pinterest board of just Advent calendars. Lots of lovely ideas I had not seen before!
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 14 2012 at 9:09am | IP Logged
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pumpkinmom wrote:
SeaStar wrote:
Last year we had this Advent calendar
and it is beautiful. My mom bought it for us.
I am stunned that it only costs $4.99! I was thinking she probably paid $15-20. It is large and can hang on a wall or in a window.
Right now CB has free shipping on orders over $35 as well |
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I ordered this and love the big size and beautiful picture. Can't wait to start the Advent season! |
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I'm glad you like- isn't so pretty? I kept ours up all the way until Lent started.
Here is a great idea from That Artist Woman for making your own calendar: Advent Calendar
I'm a bit partial to stars  so this especially appeals to me.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 20 2012 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
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The Catholic Company has this Advent calendar
that looks good. The chocolates are wrapped like presents and have a Bible verse.
Free shipping with the code BLACKSHIP through Monday the 26th.
I saw an Advent calendar at the Fresh Market that had gourmet cookies in it.
It was $50 and looked to be worth every penny from the pictures on the back! The company that makes it is called Reber. It was beautiful and looked so tasty. So tempting... but a lot of money for fancy cookies 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: Nov 24 2012 at 6:33pm | IP Logged
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I thought this was lovely and a good idea with doing acts of kindness during Advent. It could, of course, be customized with scripture, etc.
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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Topic: Advent Calendar
