Catholic Advent Activities Cards

Since 2002, our family has been testing out new and old activities for the Advent season. That has looked different every year, especially as the children grow up. There are a few traditions from our childhood, a few that are new, and some we made up.  I've kept lists,  but wanted to make it something I can easily shuffle around to the days of the December calendar before the season begins. It seemed an even better idea to share these with all of you, to help your family easily plan too.

Details and a link to this printable set below...

I'm so glad to share these delightful family activities to prepare you for Christmas one day at a time. Fill your Advent Calendar with some or all of these 79 Advent Activity Cards. 

Each year I choose what I think we can handle in our season of life, and tuck them into little red bags in a pocket countdown calendar.

Follow the Star is an absolute favorite.  It's a simple as making a paper star.  Whenever someone finds out,  it gets moved to a new location by that finder.  Sometimes we limit it to one move per day,  so everyone has a chance to find it. 

O Come Emmanuel is the Start of the O Antiphons on Dec 17th. They are names of Jesus remembered in placing ornaments and in song. 

Wrapping it Up is a card that reminds us to finish buying or making presents, and getting them all wrapped up pretty. I often lose track of how much time I have left,  and this helps me not do the last minute rush. 

Having our Nativity Set blessed is very special.  We asked our priest to follow the papal tradition of Bambinelli Sunday,  where in the 3rd Sun of Advent the priest blesses the Nativity baby Jesus figurines. We put Jesus in a fancy gift box to open on Christmas Eve.  

We're crafty,  so we always include a few holiday themed crafts about the shepherds or sheep,  angels,  stars,  trees and winter,  and the like.  We've made yarn sheep and Bethlehem canvas art, as pictured above. We find a way to add it to our Nativity display if possible. 

Some of our activities include fun with friends,  like a Reindeer Training Camp obstacle course I devised for our homeschool co-op.

Other cards remind us about something we need to prepare spiritually. Especially Sacraments and works of mercy. 

A few of them are specifically for Catholic Traditions, Saints and Holy Days. We especially enjoy writing Letters to Saint Nicholas to put in our stockings Dec 5 for him to read and intercede for us in our growth in virtue, needs and wants. Then he leaves a tear in its place before the next morning, on Dec 6th the feast of St Nicholas. 

There are so many ideas,  you're sure to find many favorites or ideas you've done with your family in years past. 

This digital file is found in my Etsy Shop.

(for a very small fee)

*INSTANT DOWNLOAD: PDF DIGITAL FILE ONLY. Will be available immediately after purchase, and found in your order history. Nothing physical will be sent. You have permission to print at home or a local printer. See terms of use below. Non-Refundable.

Print these on 8.5x11 Cardstock and cut business card sized for your Advent Calendar, like this one. Print on Regular Paper if you want to roll them up for those smaller Advent Calendars or boxes.

AS A BONUS you'll get a crisp printable poster for Living Liturgically in Advent & Christmas that is filled with ideas for December & January.

MORE EXAMPLES & IDEAS FOUND AT:

HomegrownCatholics.blogspot.com

facebook.com/HomegrownCatholic

HomegrownCatholics.Etsy.com

Instagram @homegrowncatholics

Pinterest.com/HGCatholics/

YOU CAN FIND MANY ADVENT IDEAS ON THIS BLOG, BY SEARCHING FOR the "Advent- Christmas" label.

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All purchased files and designs are available for PERSONAL (non-commercial) USE ONLY. Selling, sharing, reproducing, emailing, re-distributing and/or commercial use of these files (both electronically and printed) by Homegrown Catholics / Melissa Michalek is strictly prohibited. You may print copies for yourself; for a gift; for your single parish school classroom; for your single parish religious education classroom or family homeschool classroom. Not to be copied in bulk, distributed, altered or sold.

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