Advent Round Up: Our Favorite Resources

It’s hard to believe that Advent is already almost upon us, but with Thanksgiving in a few short weeks, the end of the liturgical year is coming up fast. So I thought I’d put together a little post with all of our family’s favorite Advent resources, new and old.

I wrote last year about how we decorate our home and also how we swap out for seasonal Montessori materials, so I’ll spare you a full recap (though do go back and read if you haven’t yet).

This year, I feel like we have our basic traditions well set, and the kids have an understanding of what Advent means, and since they’re getting older we are starting to go deeper. I’m incredibly excited about the new resources I’ve found this year, and am counting down the days til we can get to dig in!

Hand Lettering

I know I already posted about how much I’m enjoying learning to hand letter, but I’m going to share again because this beautiful workbook is designed to be used during Advent. Annnnnnd when you’re done, you’ll have beautiful hand-lettered prints to help decorate your home.

Roll Our Own Candles

Last year we made our own candles for the Advent wreath, using a kit found on Amazon. It was easy to use and a fun activity. G enjoyed it so much we’re doing it again this year, and I’m sure William will be thrilled to join.

Advent Wreath Quilt

New this year will be our interactive Advent Wreath Quilt– which G and I are sewing together. I’ve been trying to spend more time on creative outlets, recognizing that making and creating is better for me at the end of the day than watching TV or skimming through social media. So I am excited to start on this interactive Advent wreath.

I love all of Jen’s patterns over at Faith and Fabric, and I know I’ve written about sew-a-saint before, but I’ll just say again, how beautifully designed they are. And this one is no different. It’s a simple pattern and Jen’s tutorial will make it easier if you’re a beginner, but there’s also room for embellishments for those more advanced quilters. I’m planning on doing hand quilting for the accents instead of using my machine for example. I’m really looking forward to this wreath becoming a staple of our decorations each year.

I’m dreaming of having the time and fabric to complete her full Advent Wreath Calendar. The pattern is to die for!

Making Our Own Christmas Cards

One item that was easy to cut from our budget a couple years ago was the yearly Christmas card. I’m not knocking them- I really love giving and receiving cards, especially the photo kind. But dang are they expensive. This year we will be making our own cards, courtesy of Rebecca’s cleverly designed coloring cards. These print on a regular 8 1/2 x 11 paper (though I prefer them on card stock for durability), and the different designs are just adorable. I love the ability to personalize them and that each family will get a truly unique card.

Advent Calendars

My kiddos love our Jesse Tree from Anne Voskamp, but they also love the idea of interactive count downs to Christmas, so this year I’m mixing and matching from 2 different activity packets.

The first is the absolutely wonderful Advent Guide from My Little Patron. We loved their All Saints collection so much, that the kids and I are really looking forward to using the Advent Guide. Features I’m looking forward to:

• The wreath coloring pages for each week and the chance they give to teach the virtues of each
• The Follow The Star to Christmas page- it’s just William’s speed for counting down to Christmas
• The O Antiphon ornaments. We say the O Antiphons at dinner when lighting our wreath, I think G and Will will enjoy adding the ornaments to the tree.

The second is the Advent Bundle from Catholic All Year. We used Kendra’s Lenten count down last year, and I’m excited for the Count Up to Advent. Here’s hoping that counting up instead of down with decrease the wanton tearing down of medallions . . .

• Last year G added hay to the manger for Jesus with every good deed she did. We just used a basket and some yellow yarn, but for those who don’t have that on hand, Kendra has a printable for you to make it even more simple!
• For Lent, I hung the inspirational quotes on our bathroom mirror, and Mark surprised me by both noticing and appreciating them, so I’m glad that she included some Advent quote printables

Catholic Mom Bundle

I would be completely remiss if I didn’t mention the Catholic Mom Bundle Advent Bundle, a chance for you to get many of these (the Advent quilt patterns, the O Antiphons from My Little Patron, the Advent Packet from Catholic All Year) and more in one easy to use, print and go, bundle. I love that this bundle allows me to go deeper myself as well as help my kiddos go deeper, and I love that having all the resources in one place makes it easy.

Special plug: you’ll find in the bundle my very own Advent and Christmas vocabulary unit,

Annnnnd if you purchase the Catholic Mom Bundle using my affiliate link, I’ll send you free copies of my Strong Emotions Cards as well as both my Continent and Country Studies.

Did I miss any of your family favorites? Drop me a comment with resources you love!