Have you tried using a printable Advent calendar to help count down the days until Christmas?
The month of December signals that the holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joyous anticipation of Christmas.
For many families, the Advent season is a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus—and to create lasting memories with loved ones.
Traditionally, Advent calendars have played a pivotal role in this journey, helping families count down the days to Christmas while immersing themselves in the story of the Nativity.
In recent years, a delightful evolution has taken place in the realm of Advent calendars.
Enter the digital age, where convenience, customization, and eco-conscious choices converge to bring us the world of printable Advent calendars.
These modern interpretations of a timeless tradition offer an array of benefits that are transforming the way families celebrate the Advent season.
The days of December are typically focused around things like decorating the Christmas tree baking Christmas cookies, and eating candy canes.
That’s why it is so important that we teach our children about the original Christmas story and the true reason we celebrate this season.
Printable Advent calendars are such an easy way to teach kids of all ages about the importance of this holiday and helping them grow stronger and more knowlegeable in their own faith journey.
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What is an Advent Calendar
An Advent calendar is a special Christmas countdown to the days leading up to Christmas.
The term “Advent” is derived from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “arrival” or “coming,” and it traditionally marks the period of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.
Families have been using Advent calendars as a powerful tool to impart the story of the birth of Jesus for generations.
As December approaches, many households eagerly unpack their Advent calendars, which may take various forms, such as traditional cardboard calendars with numbered doors, wooden nativity scenes with movable figurines, or even digital versions on smartphones and tablets.
Regardless of the format, the core purpose remains consistent: to help families prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of Jesus’s birth.
An Advent calendar is a printable calendar that starts on December 1st and continues through Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, with each day representing one “door” or “window” on the calendar.
Behind each door or window, there are small gifts, such as a piece of chocolate, a small toy, or a scripture passage.
Opening a door or window each day helps build excitement and anticipation for Christmas to arrive.
Advent calendars often include Advent Bible verses related to the birth of Jesus.
These verses help families delve deeper into the biblical narrative, fostering a more profound understanding of the significance of Christ’s coming into the world.
As the days progress, families read and reflect upon these verses together, creating moments of shared devotion and prayer that strengthen their spiritual bonds.
Advent calendars can incorporate acts of kindness or service, encouraging families to engage in charitable activities during the holiday season.
Some calendars include an activity idea such donating to a local charity, writing letters of gratitude, or volunteering as a family.
These acts of kindness align with the message of love, giving, and selflessness that are central to the Christian faith and the story of Jesus’s birth.
There are several kinds of Advent calendars:
- Ready-Made: You can buy fancy ones that are already made and you simply need to put the special prize behind each door.
- Printable: You can make a diy Advent calendar using printable labels.
- Digital: You can find a variety of digital Advent calendars to use on your mobile device or computer.
Advent calendars are so much fun and a festive tradition observed by both religious and secular individuals as a way to celebrate the holiday season and build excitement for Christmas Day.
While their origins are rooted in Christian tradition, Advent calendars have become a popular and widely adopted custom in many cultures around the world, often serving as a fun and nostalgic way to mark the days leading up to the holiday.
Let’s take a look and find the perfect Advent calendar for you and your family!
Free Printable Advent Calendars
While a pre-made Advent calendar might be more efficient (because it is already put togther), I love using printable Advent calendars because they are created in so many designs and styles.
You can make your own Advent calendar!
Use a plain calendar design (like just a sheet of paper) or you can spruce it up by creating a sort of box to use. This way enables you to have a little cubby to put the daily surprise in.
Printable Advent calendars have gained popularity in recent years due to their accessibility and the opportunity for customization.
The internet makes it easier than ever to find a wide variety of printable Advent calendar designs to suit individual preferences.
Whether you’re into classic nativity scenes, contemporary illustrations, or whimsical holiday themes, there’s a printable Advent calendar for everyone.
This variety allows individuals and families to choose a calendar that resonates with their holiday spirit and complements their home decor.
Download this free printable Advent calendar for personal use with your family this Christmas season!
There are many printable Advent calendar ideas to choose from. Here are just a few of my favorite Christmas Advent calendar printables from around the internet:
Printable Advent Verse Calendar (Healing Home) – This festive calendar has an Advent verse to read each day.
Bible Verse Advent Countdown for Kids – Provides a verse each day for your children to read and memorize.
Gifts for Jesus Advent Calendar – Each day gives us a challenge to offer a “gift” for Jesus–an act of kindness toward others that will bless God’s great heart.
Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar – Provides a daily act of kindness for your family to set out to accomplish.
Bible Verses Advent Calendar – Printable verse cards with Advent scriptures.
Family Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar – Provides a daily acts of kindness activity for your family to do together.
Kids Can Light the World Advent Calendar – Each day of the month of December has an activity that kids can do by themselves or with a little help from an adult.
Christmas Icons Advent Coloring Calendar (Love to Know) – This calendar has a simple Christmas-inspired icon that your child can color each day.
Color and Countdown Advent Calendar – This is another calendar in which your child colors the daily emblem.
IMom- Printable Advent Calendar for Kids – Print out a festive and colorful 25-day countdown calendar for Advent.
25 Ideas for Family Time Advent Calendar – This calendar provides some fun, family Advent activites to do each day.
Printable Advent Calendar for Kids – Teaching Mama – This one is a super fun and creative way to create the Advent calendar using a muffin pan!
Advent Calendar DIY Printable Boxes – Pure Sweet Joy – This template provides printable boxes to use for your daily Advent surprises.
DIY Christmas Advent Calendar (Living Locurto) – This printable calendar is super festive and colorful and can be hung on the wall or fridge!
Christmas Countdown Printable Advent Calendar (TotSchooling) – This creative design uses craft pompoms to mark off each day and is easy for kids to make.
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar Printable (Mombright) – Super cute printable Advent calendar in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Santa Clause Advent Calendar (Burlap & Blue) – This is a fun printable Advent calendar that looks like the face of Santa!
DIY Boxes Advent Calendar (Powerful Mothering) – Print out boxes with designs that, when put together, create a Christmas tree!
Which fun Advent calendar was your favorite?
More Printable Advent Calendars
In addition to the free printable Advent calendars listed above, you might want to check out some of these premium versions.
These Advent countdown calendars make great gifts and are a great way to share the spirit of Advent with friends and loved ones. What better way to bring holiday cheer this time of year than sharing the love of Jesus?!
This Christmas-themed Bible activity bundle includes 13 pages of activities for your preschoolers and elementary-aged kids that beautifully tell the story of Isaiah 11! Learn More!
Looking for some simple advent calendar ideas. This printable coloring advent calendar is a quick and fun way to add some holiday cheer to your advent season without breaking the bank of expensive advent traditions. Learn More!
The Advent calendar tradition not only serves as a valuable educational tool but also fosters a sense of togetherness and spiritual growth within the family. It encourages open discussions about the reason we celebrate Christmas and allows parents to share their faith with their children.
In a world filled with commercialism and materialism during the holiday season, the Advent calendar offers a wonderful opportunity for families to refocus on the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ—and reinforce the values of love, compassion, and gratitude.
It’s a tradition that brings families closer together while deepening their understanding of and connection to their faith. the calendar is usually combined with a daily Advent Bible reading to ensure that everyone keeps Jesus at the heart of the celebrations.
What advent activities does your family do? What things do you put inside each of the daily blocks?
What other fun activities do you do with your family as part of your holiday traditions?
For additional holiday season activity ideas, be sure to check out:
