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DIY: Make A Last-Minute Holiday Activity Advent Calendar Using Recycled Envelopes

Posted By Jennie Lyon On November 30, 2012 @ 12:00 pm In craft,diy kids crafts,green kids | No Comments

 
 
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Looking to put together a super easy, festive and fun last-minute DIY Advent Calendar [5]? My family always looks forward to the first of December because that's when we start our holiday activity advent calendar -- which helps us bond even more as a family during the holiday season.

I choose activities for the advent calendar based on traditions that we love to do during the holidays [6]. Then, I sprinkle in a few new activities each year. For example, this year we have a surprise mini vacation at a nearby beach. You can make a simple, recycled holiday activity advent calendar using that stack of leftover envelopes you have acquired over the years. Read on to learn how to put one together tonight in a few easy steps.
 
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green kids, eco kids, green design for kids, eco holidays, green holidays, diy advent calendar, recycled projects, how to, jennie lyon [12]

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

  • leftover envelopes
  • reusable adhesive tabs or tape
  • marker
  • leftover paper scraps
  • number stickers (optional)

green kids, eco kids, green design for kids, eco holidays, green holidays, diy advent calendar, recycled projects, how to, jennie lyon [13]

Step 2: Stick It to the Wall

I used reusable adhesive tabs to attach each of the envelopes to the wall in our dining room. I transferred them from the floor to the wall in the exact same layout, resulting in a fun colorful tree!

green kids, eco kids, green design for kids, eco holidays, green holidays, diy advent calendar, recycled projects, how to, jennie lyon [14]

Step 3: Number the Envelopes

I had a lot of leftover scrap-booking number stickers that were never used, I decided these would be perfect for labeling each of my envelopes – randomly 1-25.

green kids, eco kids, green design for kids, eco holidays, green holidays, diy advent calendar, recycled projects, how to, jennie lyon [15]

Step 4: Choose Your Activities

I used pieces of leftover scrap-booking paper cut into smaller rectangles and leftover stationary to write 25 fun holiday activities that my family could do together during December. In case you need some ideas, here are my 25:

  1. Camp out under the Christmas tree
  2. Host our annual holiday party for family and friends
  3. Walk around our neighborhood to see the holiday lights with mugs of cocoa
  4. Write and send our holiday cards
  5. Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
  6. Bake holiday cookies and treats
  7. Have a snowflake making party
  8. Make recycled ornaments for the tree
  9. Ride the Polar Express (Watch the movie with cocoa, cookies and tickets)
  10. Surprise mini-local vacation
  11. Fold origami for the tree
  12. Make organic pomanders for our home
  13. Watch Home Alone and drink Soy Nog
  14. Wrap our holiday gifts
  15. Decorate the Christmas Tree
  16. Watch Holiday Movies
  17. Host a hot cocoa and cookie exchange
  18. Bake and decorate gingerbread men
  19. Make candy cane play dough
  20. Make recycled paper trees for the mantle
  21. Family Volunteer Project
  22. Make recycled snow globes
  23. Make a gingerbread house
  24. Build a LEGO Christmas Village
  25. Host a family game night

green kids, eco kids, green design for kids, eco holidays, green holidays, diy advent calendar, recycled projects, how to, jennie lyon [16]

Step 5: Add Your Activities

Once you have written each of your activities on a piece of paper, slip it inside an envelope, and seal it. I plan each activity ahead of time – that way my son will open the correct envelope for a day that we have time to do that particular activity.

green kids, eco kids, green design for kids, eco holidays, green holidays, diy advent calendar, recycled projects, how to, jennie lyon [17]

Step 6: Enjoy Advent as a Family

Enjoy celebrating the entire month of December with fun family activities! This is a great way to really get the most out of December.

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[5] DIY Advent Calendar: http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-a-simple-eco-friendly-advent-calendar-using-books/

[6] traditions that we love to do during the holidays: http://www.inhabitots.com/5-eco-friendly-family-holiday-traditions-to-start-this-year/

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