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Countdown to Christmas: Creative Advent Calendars {Giveaway!}

23/11/2014

16 Comments

 
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It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go!  With family birthdays and a wedding anniversary all wrapped up in November, I can start looking forward to Christmas!  Have you put up your tree?  We usually put the tree up on the first of December, however we started early this year! We needed a little cheering up after a sad start to the weekend {death of beloved pet guinea pigs}.

Welcome to Your Kids OT's Countdown to Christmas!  You will find some fabulous Christmas crafts, activities and cooking here over the next few weeks.  I hope you love them as much as I have loved putting them together.   

When you are counting down to Christmas, there is no better way of doing this with your kids than to use an advent calendar.  This is a visual tool that helps kids to see in a physical way how many days there are until Christmas.  The concept of time can be so difficult to understand for kids as they grasp how long is one hour, one day, one week....

We have used a number of different calendars over the years, favouring those with no food treats.  Here are some new and old ones we are using this year... 

(1) Nativity advent calender - This is an old favourite we have been using for a number of years.  The nativity scene was purchased from Phoenix Trading and comes with 24 numbered little picture pieces that can be added to the scene.  I made the silver bags from Christmas wrapping paper, attached a star sticker and number to each bag, pegging the bag to a piece of string.  Each little bag contains a picture for the nativity scene and an instruction card which goes through the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus in small sections and one or two prompt questions.  Some instructions cards include words to a Christmas carol or song. 

My kids love the anticipation of "what's next" in the bag of the day.  We take turns to put the pictures in the calendar.  It is a lovely little routine that helps us to "countdown to Christmas"!

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(2).  We were recently given a different advent calendar from a friend which happens to also be by Phoenix Trading (as a personal gift and not for the blog).  My children can't wait to open the windows and doors of this gorgeous gingerbread house advent calendar.

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(3) If you have been following Your Kids OT, you will know of our Lego Challenge earlier in the year.  If you missed it you can find the "wrap up" here.  Well we couldn't go past Christmas without one last challenge.... to build a Christmas Tree Advent calendar.  The original idea was found here. 

We built a white Christmas tree and placed number stickers on our small Lego "ornament" pieces. In case you are wondering that is an "angel" that was built for the top of the tree.

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Advent calendars are such fun! Did you like the Phoenix Trading advent calendars seen here? You have a chance to win ONE Phoenix Trading Advent Calendar for your family but be quick!  Entries will close this Thursday 27th November at 12:00am.  This is a game of skill and will require you to like Your Kids OT on Facebook and answer "What is the most creative way you have or would like to countdown to Christmas?".  Entries only open to Australian residents.  See below to enter and for further terms and conditions.

Find fabulous Christmas cards, birthday cards, wrapping paper and much more at Phoenix Trading.   

I can't wait to hear "What is the most creative way you have or would like to countdown to Christmas?" 
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Note: I have not received remuneration or compensation from Phoenix Trading.  I have been gifted the following advent calendar for this giveaway.  All comments and opinions are my own.
Win this fantastic Phoenix Trading Advent Calendar!
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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16 Comments
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages link
24/11/2014 01:33:26 am

I sewed a basic pocket calendar to countdown to Christmas and some days have chocolate, some days have Christmas stickers, or a Christmas related activity to do that day. It is so much fun, helps keep the Christmas spirit alive and stops the constant, how many sleeps to go question.

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
24/11/2014 02:25:25 am

Sounds fantastic Malinda!

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Lauren @ Create Bake Make link
24/11/2014 06:48:59 am

I love the nativity advent calendar, such a lovely idea! We have two christmas countdowns this year, the first is using my Typo Light Box where I share how many weeks & days there are to go and I'm also frantically searching pintrest for elf on the shelf ideas which we will kick off on the 1st of December. So far I'm thinking the Elf will have a food/baking theme and I just need to come up with some more ideas!

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
24/11/2014 07:52:12 am

Can't wait to see your Elf on the shelf food/baking theme! That will be lots of fun!

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Sarah from Creating Contentment link
24/11/2014 08:37:00 am

We do an activity based count down to Christmas. The idea is for us to do things together so to remember the real reason for this season and to have fun together. I like that it is building upon our relationships and creating rituals and traditions that are unique to our family.

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Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
25/11/2014 01:46:33 am

That sounds fantastic Sarah. What type of activities do you do?

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Julie
24/11/2014 12:15:16 pm

Some friends got together and we made advent calendars from a 24 cup mini muffin tray. We filled each hole with a lolly and a bible verse and then decorated covers for each muffin hole and put a magnet on the back so it would stick to the tray.

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
25/11/2014 01:47:15 am

Love this idea with the muffin trays. Perfect number!

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Dannielle link
24/11/2014 01:59:20 pm

I love your nativity scene advent calendar. I have not seen one like this before. I couldn't help myself, I just popped over to Phoenix Trading and purchased one similar. Can't wait to surprise the kidlets. Thanks for the tip.
Have a great week :)

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
25/11/2014 01:48:33 am

They are pretty sturdy too, ours has lasted several years. You will love yours too!

Reply
Sharon link
24/11/2014 04:58:02 pm

I enjoy Advent Calendars and these are lovely. I particularly like the Lego one. How creative! Thanks for linking with Mummy Mondays #Team MM

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
25/11/2014 01:49:35 am

The Lego advent calendar is fun! Thanks Sharon.

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Steph
26/11/2014 08:14:03 am

When my boys are older (they are currently 3 yrs and 1 yrs old) I would like to do a 25 days of kindness advent calendar. Each day we will have a random act of kindness to complete. Some ideas that I've read about include: leaving a gift for the postman, holding the door open for someone, picking up rubbish at your local park, writing a thank you note to your favourite Christmas lights house, donating cans to a food bank, baking cookies for your teacher / neighbour / librarian, etc. A great website that lists more activities is http://lifeyourway.net/random-acts-of-kindness-advent-calendar/

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
26/11/2014 08:49:49 am

What a lovely idea Steph! Kindness goes a long way!

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Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker link
1/12/2014 03:41:41 am

The nativity advent calendar is such a fabulous idea!!!

Reply
Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
1/12/2014 12:29:00 pm

It is lovely but oops we missed the first of Dec! Oh well, 2 tomorrow :)

Reply



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    Hi, I'm Cindy and I am an Occupational Therapist. I enjoy working creatively with children to see them reach their potential. Read more about me here.

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is general in nature and should be used for educational  and entertainment purposes. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions.  This blog does not replace formal therapeutic professional advice given by a health professional or medical practitioner.  Reviews and endorsements of products will only be made based on my expertise and personal opinion; and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand. Content, advertising space or posts will be clearly identified if paid, affiliated or sponsored.  Affiliate links may  be found throughout this website in advertising. This means that if you follow through with a purchase from these links, Your Kids OT will receive a percentage of the sale. Your Kids OT undertakes to meet the requirements of the "Social Media Policy" as published by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  Further information about this policy can be found here.

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Hi, I'm Cindy and I am an Occupational Therapist. I enjoy working creatively with children to see them reach their potential. Read more about me here.

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