Holly Jolly Christmas Countdown Calendar

I’ve always been really into Christmas Countdown/Advent Activities. My husband and I did them even before we had kids! So of course now with three young kids I go a little a little crazy with it all. Today I’m sharing a really fun holly jolly Christmas countdown calendar that can be personalized to the Christmas activities you like to do with your family, and maybe my list will give you a few new ideas! The holly garland can be saved and used from year to year as well.

Okay, before we get into the tutorial, let’s talk about what my kids want to talk about when it comes to getting ready for Christmas. 1. When is school out, and 2. What they would like for Christmas. I’m a huge fan of teaching kids the power of GIVING #GivingIsAwesome, but it’s also a super magical time of year for my kids and I love to hear the things that they would like to receive as well. When our Toys“R“Us Big Book comes in the mail, it’s a GREAT DAY ad the kids pour over the catalog searching for the perfect gifts! So, I built making a Christmas list in our Christmas countdown calendar and now we do that on Dec. 1st. So.. let’s get making this fun holly garland countdown.

You will need: Felt, Buttons, Fabric, Hot glue gun, needle and thread, and this printable list of activities <HERE>, use just as is, or add some of your own. My list has more than 25, so you don’t have to use them all, choose the ones you like.

Cut holly shaped leaves that are approx. 4″ x 2/2.5″ wide. I varied each one just a bit. Sew a red button {can be various sizes} onto ONE end of each holly leaf. Cut 25 or 24 depending on how many you want in your countdown.

On the other end, cut a small slit {this is the button hole} I cut each size for a specific button. 

After you cut the button hole, button up the leaves so you know the order. 

Now cut bits of fabric that fit on the BACK side of each leaf. The back is the side without the button. I used pinking shears so the fabric wouldn’t fray. You could also use WIDE ribbon cut in pieces for this part.

Put hot glue on three sides and glue to the back of the leaves. Leave the open side as one of the narrow ends and make sure all the pocket openings go the same up… This way when you hang it, the papers won’t fall out.

I numbered my leaves with puff fabric paint. 1-25

Take the countdown list you printed above and cut apart the activities.  For number one I put the one that says: “make a list of toys you’d like for Christmas {use the Toys“R“Us Big Book to find all the hottest toys}” Number two of course is: “Find a toy to donate to someone in need”! Both are fun and meaningful activities!

Fill each pocket with one of the activities, you can decide the order.

And you are finished! Hang down a tall wall {I am doing this, but couldn’t get a good photo of the LONG garland} Or use to decorate a doorway or window.

Each day remove the leaf that has that day’s date… {use a basket or bag to collect the leaves so you can use again next year}

Take out the paper and have your family complete the listed Christmas countdown activity.

My finished garland is almost 8″ long so it was hard to get a good photo stretched out. It’ looks pretty like this too! I plan to hang ours down the wall next to our table so we can look at it each dinner in December.