Making an Advent calendar is a great way to count down the days until Christmas. Advent calendars can also be used to promote family activities. For information on how to make an Advent calendar quickly and inexpensively, read on

Advent calendars are a tradition that began over 150 years ago as a way of counting down the days between the beginning of December and Christmas Day. Calendars are designed to mark each day from the beginning of Advent to Christmas. Each day, children are allowed to take one treat from the calendar - either a gift of candy (including chocolate) or a small toy or token. Making an Advent calendar can be a great way to teach your children more about the Christmas holiday.http://www.sellmer-verlag.de/history.htm

• Both large and small matchboxes can be converted into Advent calendars once the matches have been removed.

1. Cover 24 matchbooks with colorful paper. On each box, poke a hole in one end and thread some waxed twine through it. Add a numbered wooden bead on it and tie it to your Christmas tree with the twine.Craftlog: Matchbox Advent Calendar
   1. You can also tie the boxes to a thick piece of rickrack, braided rope or heavy velvet drapery cord.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
   2. You can also use empty film canisters.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
   3. If you don't want to buy matchboxes, you can make your own boxes out of origami paper.HGTV: Paper Matchbox Slide Box
2. Make a small chest of drawers using 24 small matchboxes by gluing them together in three stacks of eight. Wrap a strip of paper around the sides of the stacks and attach a square paper to the back. Glue ribbon tabs onto each drawer.MarthaStewart.com: M is For Matchbox Advent Calendar
3. Cut large matchboxes in half. Use chipboard wrapped in colorful paper to make new sides for the boxes. Decorate and number the boxes. Boxes can then be glued into a tree shape.Better Homes and Gardens: Matchbox Advent Box

• This Advent calendar involves using some type of stockings. While you can purchase 24 miniature Christmas stockings, you can also use colorful baby socks, kids socks, or make your own stockings out of felt.MarthaStewart.com: Baby Sock Advent CalendarMarthaStewart.com: Mini StockingsFamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar

1. Number the stockings using stickers or small tags.MarthaStewart.com: Mini StockingsHGTV: Baby Sock Clothesline Advent Calendar
2. Decorate the stockings, if desired, with ribbon, buttons or other objects.HGTV: Baby Sock Clothesline Advent Calendar
3. Hang the stockings using clothespins on a strand of yarn or ribbon.MarthaStewart.com: Baby Sock Advent Calendar

• Colorful envelopes can be used to make a very quick Advent calendar. Inside each envelope, you can include a slip of paper describing an activity or a place where you've have hidden a gift.

1. Instead of colored envelopes, you can use folded cardstock or origami paper.FamilyFun: Christmas Countdown Garlandso you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
2. You could also sew your envelopes using felt and embroidery floss.allsorts: Before You Know It... (November 6, 2007)
3. The envelopes can be sealed with stickers and individually numbered.FamilyFun: Christmas Countdown Garland
4. You can also decide not to number them and have them chosen at random.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
5. The envelopes can then be:
   1. Tied onto garland or your tree.FamilyFun: Christmas Countdown Garland
   2. Attached to ribbon with clothespins.a peek inside the fishbowl: Easy DIY Advent Calendar (November 26, 2007)
   3. Kept in a colorful box.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)

• If you don't have any envelopes, skip them and make a paper chain instead.

1. Take strips of gift wrap or colored construction paper and make a paper chain.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
2. Decorate the strips with crayons or stickers.BabyZone: Counting Down to Christmas with Kids
3. Write an activity on the inside of each strip before constructing the chain.
4. Hang the chain in a doorway or on the wall.BabyZone: Counting Down to Christmas with Kids
5. Remove a strip each day as Christmas approaches.

• You can also make an Advent calender using only two sheets of paper. Cut out three sides of small boxes on one piece.About.com: Advent Calendar Template for Rubber Stamping Then, place the other sheet behind it. Write down your items inside of each box.

• Once you have made your calendar, you may be wondering what you should use to fill up each of the spots on the calendar itself. While the most obvious idea is a gift in each spot, you can also use your Advent calendar to encourage family activities and discussions! Below you will find suggestions of things you can use. Feel free to mix and match from several categories to make your family's perfect calendar.

• What better way to promote Christmas than to have an Advent calendar filled with holiday-themed, family-oriented activities? Here are a few great ideas to get you started:

1. A round of your favorite board or card game.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
2. Ideas on how to make different ornaments.Craftlog: Matchbox Advent Calendar
3. Going out into the neighborhood to check out Christmas lights and decorations.EverythingChristmas.com: Making an Advent Calendar
4. Baking Christmas cookies together.EverythingChristmas.com: Making an Advent Calendar
5. Check out these sites for even more activities:
   1. Kiddley: Fill your Advent with Activities
   2. a peek inside the fishbowl: Easy DIY Advent Calendar (November 26, 2007)

• Don't forget about family discussions as quick and rewarding group activities. This is especially good if you check your Advent calendar right before dinner. Some sample topics include:

1. What is everyone's favorite part of the season?BabyZone: Counting Down to Christmas with Kids
2. Complimenting the person next to you.BabyZone: Counting Down to Christmas with Kids

• You can also promote Christmas spirit with your activities by writing down simple activities which will remind your family to stay festive throughout the day. A few such ideas include "smiling at a stranger" or "choosing two toys/items to give to charity".BabyZone: Counting Down to Christmas with Kids The next day, you can discuss over dinner how each person carried out their goal.

• Reward cards are a great item that can be used on any Advent calendar. Here are a few suggestions on rewards you can use:

1. An extra bedtime story.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
2. Relax a household rule.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
3. Eat dessert first.so you wannabee a Domestik Goddess?: 3 Quick and Easy Advent Calendar Ideas (November 27, 2006)
4. Get out of a chore.FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
5. Pick a movie rental.FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar

• Gifts for your Advent calendar can range from candy to small toys. If they are too big to fit in or on your calendar, write down where they are hidden. Examples of items that can be used include:

1. Stickers.Better Homes and Gardens: Matchbox Advent Box
2. Movie tickets.Better Homes and Gardens: Matchbox Advent Box
3. Trading or sports cards.FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
4. Special coins (foreign currency, silver dollar or chocolate).FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
5. Music or other gift cards.FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
6. A game (Mad Libs, Sudoku, etc.).FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
7. Art supplies.FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
8. An ornament for the tree.FamilyFun: A Stocking Countdown Calendar
9. Christmas-themed jokes.Magpie & Cake: 3D Joke Tree Advent Calendar (December 1, 2006)
10. A handwritten note.HGTV: Baby Sock Clothesline Advent Calendar
11. Invitations for special events.Better Homes and Gardens: Matchbox Advent Box

• As you may have noticed by now, Advent calendars are extremely flexible fixtures for the holidays. Both their construction and the contents within are limited only by your own holiday-themed craftiness. If the above sections aren't enough, here are a few more sources for homemade Advent calendars that ought to get your creative juices flowing:
  • UKTV Homes: How to Make an Advent Calendar
  • HGTV: Bottle Cap Advent Calendar | Advent Calendar
  • FamilyFun: Advent Calendar
  • Better Homes and Gardens: Paper Advent Box
  • MarthaStewart.com: Advent in a Box | Greeting-Card Advent Calendar
  • Splitcoaststampers: Advent Calendar
  • CRAFT: Make a Cool Advent Calendar
  • BurdaStyle.com: Make an Advent Calendar
  • Kaboose.com: Felt Tree Advent Calendar
  • About.com: Felt Advent Christmas Tree

• Now that you have your Advent calendar, you might want to learn more about Advent by checking out these Mahalo pages: What is Advent: The Meaning and History of Advent, Advent, Advent Prayers, Liturgies, Readings, Poems and Devotions, Advent Wreaths, Advent Candles, Advent Coloring Pages and Crafts and Advent Songs.