Christmas Mini Envelope Advent

With it being September, you may think it's a little early to start thinking about Christmas. I personally like to spend at least the whole month of December enjoying the holidays rather than worry about projects, let alone the dreaded shopping. So it's the perfect time to think about holiday projects.

Last fall I was searching for the perfect advent for my family and loved the idea of little envelopes, each filled with something you could do together to count down to Christmas. I was determined to make my own and I am happy to share it with you!

At a local scrapbook store I purchased several different kinds of holiday paper and used the store's die-cut machine to make mini tags.

And to make mini envelopes.

Once folded, they look something like this. I loved finding double sided paper to use for this project.

Then I got to use some creativity to decorate the envelopes. I used various ribbons, stickers and the mini tags.

For the mounting board, I used the extra heavy weight cardboard and put scrapbook paper around it. I won't give measurements because depending on the size of envelope will determine how big of surface you need.

You can't see it in the picture, but I have attached a ribbon to the top to hang the advent up. You could even put it on an easel and display it that way.

Some close-ups of the decorated envelopes, each hand numbered.

And a big star for the grand finale! The reason for the season!

I have been thinking for sometime as what I want to put inside the envelopes. You could make a tag with the countdown event on it, or even a simple piece of paper. This will take a bit of time and planning on your part. I plan on putting in things that we would normally do, like our annual family Christmas party, and things that would be fun to experience together. Most things will be fairly simple, just something little to count down to the big day.

Here are a few ideas:

* Decorate family gingerbread house

* Go see the drive-through lights

* See the lights on Temple Square

* Make paper snowflakes decorate windows

* Paint toe nails (Livy loves this!)

* Pick out a tree together

* Decorate tree and eat danish cookies & hot chocolate,

* Bake Christmas cookies and decorate

* Watch a Christmas movie

* Family Christmas party

* Read a special Christmas story together

* Draw a picture of the nativity

* Mail Christmas cards

* Go to German store and get goodies & advents

* Go to the church Christmas party

* Dance to Christmas music

* Play in the snow

* Take Christmas gifts around to neighbors and friends

* Do a Christmas craft together

* Write letter to Santa

* Make a picture for Grandma & Abuelos

* Have a fondue night

* Build snowmen out of marshmallows

* Family game night

* Breakfast for dinner

* Night time walk with homemade lanterns

* Make thumb print art

* Buy Christmas coloring books and color

* Make chocolate covered snowmen hats

* Go ice skating

* Build a snowman together

* Christmas Eve celebration (Whatever special you do this night!)

For more Christmas Advent ideas, here is the Matchbox Advent that I made last year.