Nature Nativity Scene

You know those clementine boxes that you're never really sure what to do with? A local church had a wonderful idea: use them to house nativity scenes. Most of the materials in our nativity scene are found in nature -- milkweed pods, moss, bark, twigs, branches, pine cones and nuts -- and reconfigured into nativity characters and props with the help of a little white glue or a hot glue gun. Do you feel the need for a woodland walk?

Other materials used: faux greenery (though pine boughs would be just as lovely), wooden figures, wool felt, wool roving, and pipe cleaners.

Advent Activity Calendar

When my son was three, a local literacy organization threw a hands-on Christmas celebration for families. There were many things to make: holiday cards, finger puppets for seasonal chants and an advent activity calendar. My husband made this advent calendar, and it has become one of my favourite holiday traditions.

Behind each door is a suggestion for what to do that day. For example:

Build a snowman.

Write a card.

Put out food for the birds.

Make a paper chain to decorate the house.

Read a holiday book.

Go tobogganing.

Do something kind for someone....

A calendar like this seems to make the holidays more about experience and less about consumption. While I've never actually been able to find a template for our activity calendar, it would be just as easy to make your own using these ideas and templates:

Maya*Made Countdown Calendar 2009

Made with recycled materials. Activities can be printed on slips of paper and tucked into each pocket.

Maya*Made Countdown Caldendar 2010

Made with recycled materials.

Advent Calendar Templates

Lots of DIY options, here.