Yay! It’s day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas blog hop and today is all about Advent calendars. If you are looking for something super fun and adorable this year then you will love this printable gingerbread man Advent scavenger hunt!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”Take your Advent to a fun and hilarious new level with this printable gingerbread man Advent scavenger hunt! It’s perfect for customization and fun!” username=”diyadulation”]

Welcome to Day 3 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!

We have teamed up with 50 plus bloggers to bring you a oodles of DIY Ideas and Recipes to make your holiday season merrier. There are 12 different posts in the series and we have spread them out over a four week period with three posts per week. Now is the time to subscribe!

GO HERE for the complete list of Dates and Topics plus a collection of most popular holiday ideas including ornaments, games, recipes and more from all 50 plus talented bloggers!

It’s Day 3 and we are sharing DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar Ideas!

New Take on Advent

This year I wanted to try something totally different for our Advent calendar. This is partly because in October we were having trouble with the youngest getting out of bed at night and sneaking into food in the kitchen. It seems best not to tempt fate by having the treats accessible to tiny hands until the day of the treat.

I also wanted to make it more of a game for the kids. They get so excited about their Advent calendars but then they open it and it’s done for the day. Now, they get a clue and have to find their treat. In addition to that, since we do a lot of activities for Advent, they get to spend the day trying to figure out what activity those treats go with.

It simply adds an extra layer of fun for the whole family. After a while, you will start trying to trick them which is so much fun. Give them paint brushes but use them for cookie decorating. Little surprises like that truly make this so much fun!

Printable Gingerbread Man Advent Scavenger Hunt

Part of what makes this Advent idea so great (besides the face that they are absolutely adorable) is that it is easy to customize. Since the clues only lead to the hiding places of the treats, you can choose any treat you want. Give your kids a new book each day or get one of those toy assortment kits. Easily do whatever works for your family.

Printable Gingerbread Man Advent Scavenger Hunt

Blank Gingerbread Man Advent Scavenger Hunt

How to Use

Just as these cards make it easy to customize your Advent treats, they can also be displayed (or used) in a variety of ways. Here are just a few ideas for you:

Use magnets to attach them to cookie sheets and hang them on the wall.
Skip the cookies sheets and use magnets to attach them directly to your refrigerator.
Place them in small, numbered envelopes and display on the wall or place in a basket.
Clip the cards to ribbon using clothespins.
Staple the cards into a booklet that kids rip one clue from each day.

Then, on each day, hide the corresponding treat for that day’s card. For example, if you are looking at Christmas lights one evening and the card is where the milk lives, then hide some mittens in the fridge that morning for your kids to find.

Advent Treat Ideas

Once you know how you will use your Advent calendar, it’s time to pick the treats. Again these can be anything you want but I have a few tips to help keep you organized throughout:

First, get a small box or bag to keep all of the treats in one place. The last thing you want is to scramble at the last minute because you can’t find a gift.
Second, write down which treats are on which days in your planner. Knowing what’s coming makes it so much easier to prepare. This is also important if you do activities so that they do not conflict with kid’s extracurriculars.

Advent Treat Ideas – Activities

Our personal favorite is to include a lot of family activities in our Advent calendar. Because of that, we have treats that coincide with those activities. Since most of those activities happen in the evening after school and homework, the kids have the added fun of trying to figure out what activity the gifts go with.

Keep in mind that for activities, the treats don’t necessarily have to be new since the activity is technically the treat. For example, a board game for game night can be one that your family already owns. This is a great way to save money on your holiday.

Glow Sticks

The activity for glow sticks can be playing glow stick tag, taking a glow-in-the-dark bath, or a Christmas-themed living room dance party.

Craft Supplies

Gather the materials for a specific craft that you will make together like these Christmas noise makers.

Apron or Cooking Utensils

These treats are the perfect lead in to baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, or designing a Christmas-themed homemade pizza.

Hats and Mittens

Use these to represent going to look at Christmas lights, visiting a winter festival, or going on a sledding adventure.

Movie or Popcorn

This is a super simple treat idea for a Christmas movie night.

Board Game

Surprise your kids with a family game night by hiding a board game for them to find.

Advent Treat Ideas – Things

Of course, some days you are too busy (or tired) to enjoy a family activity for Advent. On these days, I like to supplement with small gifts and treats for the kids. The trick here is to keep it small and sprinkle them throughout your Advent countdown.

Books
Art Supplies
Die Cast Cars
Doll Accessories
Stickers
Activity Books
Candy
Small Toy Assortment

Take your Advent to a fun and hilarious new level with this printable gingerbread man Advent scavenger hunt! You can change it up each year with a different treat theme or use it to build up to a surprise vacation gift on Christmas. This is truly a versatile Advent calendar idea.

Now it’s time to check out what my talented friends have created for their Advent calendars this year. See all of the awesome ideas below!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Scroll down for many more DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar Ideas for your holiday season!

It is time to get those Advent calendars ready for the year. We like to change ours up every year and the kids love it. My oldest has been going on and on about it all November to anyone who will listen. Last year we made these Unique DIY Advent Mailboxes but this year we’re going big. This DIY Christmas tree Advent calendar takes up an entire wall! If you want an awesome statement piece of décor then this is it. Don’t worry. Even though it is big it is easy to make and inexpensive. After you find out how to make it, keep reading for ideas on how to fill it.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”This #DIY Christmas tree #Adventcalendar is easy to make, inexpensive, and fun!” username=”diyadulation”]

Materials

24 Paper Christmas Gift Bags
Gift Tags (Mine came from this paper set)
Paper Cutter
Christmas Cord
24 Push Pins
Advent Gifts (See Below for Ideas)
Hole Punch
Scissors

Step 1

First cut out all of your tags.

Step 2

Next, make a numbered list of all of your Advent gifts in the order that you want to give them.

Tip:

Have your planner handy for this part so that you can schedule your activities around other commitments your family has.

Step 3

Fill out each gift tag with the day and the corresponding Advent gift or activity.

Step 4

Next, punch a hole in each tag.

Step 5

Cut 24 lengths of cord and tie one on each gift tag.

Step 6

After your tags are ready, fill each bag with an Advent gift. (Again, you can see below for ideas on what to give.)

Step 7

Next, measure your bag placement starting at the top of the tree.

Step 8

Continue hanging your bags as pictured until you finish hanging the row with 6 bags.

Step 9

On the last row, hang your last 3 bags in the center to form the base of your tree.

Tip:

I hung the gifts in ascending order, so the gift for Day 1 is on the bottom left.

Advent Gifts

The following list is our exact Advent gifts for this year in the order in which we are giving them. Don’t forget to have your planner handy when you are scheduling your gifts. For example, a living room campout isn’t good for a school night or a treat-making gift on a game or practice day.

Paper Chain Decorations

Grab some pretty scrapbook paper and use it to make some fun Christmas decorations.

Candy

Early on in the month on busy days, candy is an easy Advent gifts that kids, of course, love.

Write Letters to Santa

Print out these adorable printables and put them in the gift bag for kids to fill out. If you want to take this one further, head to a local Macy’s and drop them off in their North Pole Mailbox.

Make Ornaments

This can be as elaborate or simple as you would like to fit your schedule. You can get very hands-on and make salt dough ornaments together. You can also purchase a pack of wooden ornaments and have the kids color those with paint or markers.

Hot Cocoa Night

Fill the bag for this day with hot cocoa mix and then let kids choose their own mix-ins to personalize their hot cocoa. White chocolate chips, caramels, crushed peppermint, and cinnamon sticks are a few ideas of flavors that go great with hot chocolate.

Cookie Decorating

If you’re not a baker, buy plain cookies at the store for this gift bag. On the Advent day, set kids up with icings and festive sprinkles to decorate their cookies with.

Make Christmas Trees

Buy a pack of pennants at the store to put in the gift bag. Then let kids color their “trees” and decorate with ribbons, pompoms, and buttons.

Festival of Lights

Our zoo has amazing holiday festivities at the PNC Festival of Lights. This is a great activity for the whole family full of animals, lights, rides, and more. If your zoo doesn’t do a holiday event, search your city’s website for other events in your area that your family can try.

Coloring Books

Take some time to relax as a family and color on new Christmas coloring books. Don’t forget to grab some fresh crayons if you need them.

Christmas Noise Makers Craft

I’m sharing the tutorial for these on Wednesday but for now you can put some white paper dessert plates in the bag.

Mini Gingerbread Houses

This is an easier take on traditional gingerbread house making that doesn’t require you to be in the kitchen for hours baking. Instead, tuck some graham crackers and candy in the gift bag. Let each child form and decorate an individual house for this Advent gift.

Color Wrapping Paper

I got this awesome roll of coloring wrapping paper last year but this is the closest thing I’ve found this year. If you don’t have any coloring wrapping paper, simply use a roll of kid’s art paper to decorate then wrap presents with.

Christmas Books

Fill a gift bag with some new Christmas books for each kid. Make it a family activity and read them together before bed.

Movie Night

With so many awesome new Christmas movies made each year, you can’t miss a movie night during Advent. You can buy a new movie for the gift bag or pick a movie on Netflix and put some microwave popcorn in the bag.

Paint Ceramics

The Dollar Tree has these adorable little sets that are an easy and fun Christmas activity for kids. They may even want to wrap them up as gifts for the grandparents which I totally support!

Make Jingle Bell Bracelets

This is another easy and fun crafts. All you need is some plastic cording and jingle bells. Thread the bells on the cording and tie the ends to make a bracelet.

Make Treats

Put some aprons in the gift bag and spend this day making delicious treats. If you feel ambitious, let each child pick out one candy and one cookie recipe to try. Then everyone gets at least one treat that they like.

Decorate Santa Hats

Grab some fabric paint and plain Santa hats to fill this bag. Let kids decorate their hats then allow them to dry for 24 hours before wearing. (It also helps set the paint if you throw them in the dryer for 10 minutes after the paint has dried.)

Deliver Treats

The holiday season is better when you share the cheer with others. Today, add some treats to bags and deliver them to your neighbors as a family. Fill the gift bag with a package of cellophane treat bags.

Christmas Game Night

We love playing games so much that we actually have Christmas themed board games. Don’t worry if you don’t, though. You can find tons of fun Christmas games on 12 Hilarious Christmas Party Games.

Living Room Campout

Use blankets to make a giant tent in the living room and have a campout. For the gift bag, add some glow sticks for the kids. Try to go without electric lights during your campout (except for maybe the Christmas tree).

Minivan Express

This is one that kids look forward to every year. You can read more about it on Create Memories with Your Advent Gifts but it is always a fun memory that kids cherish.

Make Reindeer Food

It’s important not to forget about Santa’s reindeer on the big night. Mix up a treat to help them keep their strength up on Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to put it out before going to bed Christmas Eve.

Stuffed Animals

Make waiting for Santa to arrive a little easier with new stuffed animals to cuddle with.

The kids are so excited to dig into this DIY Christmas tree Advent calendar. You will be doing more than counting down to Christmas. You are creating memories that last a lifetime with these gifts. It is rewarding to see how much your kids look forward to the activities more than the gifts. Use your Advent calendar as a reminder to slow down this season and make time for family. Don’t forget to come back on Wednesday to find out how to make Christmas Noise Makers. Until then, get your home decorated for Christmas on a budget with these frugal tips!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

I love the holidays. The delicious smells in the stores and pretty lights everywhere always brighten my day. It can also be a hectic and stressful time of year. Even if you have all of your gifts bought and wrapped by Thanksgiving, there are so many other demands on your time and energy during this season. It is because of this that so many moms, me included, forget about self-care entirely for the month of December. This leads to you being so drained by Christmas that it is difficult to enjoy it and be 100% present. Let’s change that and start a new tradition this year with a self-care Advent calendar to help us take care of ourselves during the busy holiday season as well.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”Start a new tradition of taking care of you this year with a self-care #Adventcalendar!” username=”diyadulation”]

Rules for a Self-Care Advent Calendar

For any endeavor to be successful you need to set some ground rules. It is silly and a disservice that we neglect ourselves so much during the holidays. I get it. We are so focused on making sure that it is a wonderful time of year for everyone else. We don’t even realize how litter we are doing for ourselves until it is too late. That’s why the rules for a self-care Advent calendar are easy:

Rule 1 – Buy everything for your self-care Advent calendar ahead of time. If you put it off until the day of that activity, you are more likely to skip that day and allocate the funds to something else.

Rule 2 – You have to complete the given self-care task that day. Don’t talk yourself out of it. Even taking 5 minutes a day for self-care can do wonders for your stress and overall well-being.

24 Self-Care Advent Calendar Ideas

Face Mask

Buy a new one or use your favorite face mask on hand but take time to relax with one on.

Bath Bomb

Again, you can get a new one or use one you already own. Either way, take a calming soak in the tub today.

Read a Book

Even if you don’t pick it up again until after the New Year, take time out today to read a book. Bonus tip: If you only have 10 minutes to spare, set a timer so that you don’t waste your self-care time checking the clock. (Find more ideas to fit reading into your day on Embrace a Habit of Reading.)

Paint Your Nails

When is the last time you made it a point to dress up your nails? Today, give your hands some pampering with a festive holiday makeover.

Color

This one you can do with the kids or on your own, but take some time out to relax and color some pretty pictures.

Start a Journal

Journaling doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. You can simply write down one thing that you are grateful for each day or a memory that you want to preserve. Buy a new journal or fun notebook and start today.

Coffee Splurge

Treat yourself to your favorite fancy coffee today. Bonus idea: Drink it in the store alone for some extra comfort and care.

Go for a Walk

Bundle up, put on some headphones, and take a stroll through your neighborhood after dinner.

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to re-center and focus. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. Take 5 minutes today and give it a try. (Amazon Music has a great mediation playlist pre-made for you.)

Electronics Free Day

You might be amazed at how difficult this is at first but go an entire day with no electronics. Keep your phone off, don’t get on your computer, and don’t watch television. If you want to up the ante, use candles instead of overhead lights in the evening. You will feel more relaxed when you lay down for bed that evening than you have in ages.

Create Something

Choose a craft that you enjoy and spend some time making something today. For me, crochet is incredibly therapeutic and relaxing because of the repetitive action and counting.

Change Your Hair

This can be as elaborate or simple are you want. Try a new hair cut or color for a drastic change. Attempt a fancy updo or DIY blowout for a simpler, less-permanent change.

Have Breakfast in Bed

You can do this one on your own, believe it or not. Make a freezer breakfast beforehand, like this quick and easy sausage quiche, and throw it in the oven. When it’s finished baking, set the kids up with cartoons and take it to your room for a delicious hot breakfast in bed. Don’t forget the coffee and orange juice, too.

New Candle

Fill your bedroom with the fantastic scent of your favorite candle. Light it an hour before going to bed and drift off to the comfort of your favorite smell. Don’t forget to blow it out before going to sleep.

Give Yourself a Pedicure

If you don’t feel like doing everything from exfoliating your feet to painting your nails, try a lotion and socks kit. You spend so much time on your feet, show them some love.

Buy Yourself a Gift

Today, go out and buy yourself a gift and wrap it up for Christmas. This can be as big or as little as you want, just be sure not to blow your budget.

Get Made Up

Have you relegated makeup for date nights and special occasions? Today, have some fun and get all dolled up for no reason.

Rent a Movie

Check out Amazon Prime or hit up a Redbox and pick out a movie you wanted to see. That night, snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn after the kids go to bed and enjoy.

Write a Letter

Take some time today to write a letter and stick it in the mail. Write your parents about how much you love them or let a friend know that you’re thinking of her.

Try a New Recipe

How many recipes have you pinned on Pinterest that look amazing but you have never tried? Today, pick one to make and try for the first time. Bonus points if it is a dessert.

Go to Bed Early

Today, get some much needed rest and head to bed when the kids do. Whatever is on your to-do list will still be there tomorrow, I promise. Put it down for the night and get some extra sleep for once.

Play a Game

Whatever kind of game you love to play, take time today and enjoy it. I, personally, love The Sims but maybe you’re a crossword or Solitaire chick. Pick your favorite and spend some time playing it.

Go For a Drive

Hop in your car today and go for a drive. Blast your favorite songs and rock out like no one’s watching.

Watch Your Favorite Christmas Movie

There’s no better way to end Christmas Even than by watching your favorite Christmas movie. Pop it in tonight and relax before the big day (and early morning) tomorrow.

Start a new tradition of taking care of you this holiday season. This self-care Advent calendar is the perfect daily reminder to keep it a priority. Don’t forget the 2 simple rules to make it effective: Buy all of your items needed ahead of time and each activity must be completed the day it is assigned. A bonus tip for you, in case you’re like me, buy specific gift cards for the purchase days. For example, purchase a Starbucks gift card for your coffee splurge day. This way you won’t be tempted to spend it on something else (like Pop-Tarts for the kids). This is about remembering to put yourself first sometimes so be sure to set it up to be as successful as possible. Don’t forget to check out the Best Black Friday Deals at Kohl’s 2017 this year to ease the financial stress of the holidays, too.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!