Handmade Advent Calendar including fillers

craftingmad

Hi,


Christmas this year is going to be a bit different for us this year as my husband has to work for some of the big day itself so will be in Aberdeen and accordingly my two kids and I will also be going up there for a week and a half to spend Christmas with him. To save costs we will be staying in the 3 bed flat he shares with two other people (one will not be there over the festivities) but space will be tight and Christmas will certainly be very different to the ones we have all been used pre redundancy.


Anyway it is what it is and I am determined to make it an extra special Christmas for the kids so have come up with a hair brained scheme that I can make a homemade advent calendar for my kids (girl aged 12 and boy, 8) and fill it with a homemade treat each day. I have already made the advent calendar but now need to stock it with its goodies. We also do an activity each day so will be combining these in these advent calendar as well to save having to take two sets


I have already come up with a few bits and bobs I can make such as hair accessories (only for my daughter obviously), badges, poop bags, wish stars, jewellery (again for daughter), guitar picks, mini notebooks and Christmas chocolates but need some more ideas so am hoping you will help me if I say pretty please


As for activities I have the usual putting up a Christmas tree, making decorations, looking at the lights etc but again would be really grateful for any suggestions you can make.


Looking forward to hopefully having a whole host of ideas and thanking you all in advance - you will make two children very happy

Fen1

Activities could include making gingerbread stars/lebkuchen as tree decorations. They need to be made one day, iced another. Look up traditional Scandinavian and German websites for ideas. They are well into the homemade Christmas vibe!
Make Faberg! style eggs? Learn a new carol, poem or extract from a book ( Dickens Christmas Carol?) by heart for a performance on Christmas day?

Katiehound

Another activity might be making these little boxes as tree decorations- really small ones (A6 card?) will hold a wrapped sweet.
This Youtube video is a bit long winded- all you have to do is essentially score 4 lines and punch 2 holes! But very effective- with snowflake, sticker, flower etc on the front;
Triangular box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34H4kAd4TKA

There are loads more paper craft ideas online if you start googling- spoilt for choice!!

Another idea
Biscuits with 'jewel' centre. Cut out centre and bake with boiled sweets

Look at the craft kits in Wilkinson's- they usually have a few items @ £1

pandora205

What about very small games, such as jacks or mini happy families, or those devilish metal puzzles like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GADGET-SHOP-METAL-PUZZLES-6-METAL-BRAIN-BUSTERS-NEW-IN-BOX-/201459704482

grunnie

I am going to be in Aberdeen for Christmas day and the next day for the football. There is loads to do for free- walk along the beach, Hazelhead Park it has a petting zoo and also the Duthie Park. For kids Satrosphere the science museum will keep them amused for a morning.
I go to church on Christmas morning and this year as I am in Aberdeen I will go to St Machar Cathedral. The shops will be closed on Christmas day but will be open on Boxing day for the sales.
Enjoy your holiday. You didn't say where you were from but it is cold and windy up here so take you thermals:D
gran

jackieblack

craftingmad wrote: »

I have already come up with a few bits and bobs I can make such as hair accessories (only for my daughter obviously), badges, poop bags, wish stars, jewellery (again for daughter), guitar picks, mini notebooks and Christmas chocolates but need some more ideas so am hoping you will help me if I say pretty please

Poop bags? :eek: who are they for? :huh:

PixieDust

I think she means "reindeer poop" - chocolate covered raisins......"snowman poop" - mini marshmallows.....that sort of thing