DIY advent calendar: Nativity scene
It is a dear tradition in our family to get the kids an advent calendar. Now, for this year I wanted to make something myself rather than buy a run-off-the-mill calendar. And of course, being an advent calendar, it should be related to the story of Christmas.
Voila, enter the DIY nativity scene advent calendar:
The calendar consists of 24 match boxes, each covered with a cut-out figure. Here is the complete tableau:
The match boxes themselves contain candy (in small quantities – I’m all for keeping materialism to reasonable limits, especially around Christmas).
Now, you may wonder why the boxes aren’t numbered, just like they should be for an advent calendar. You can of course do that, but for this year I will do it differently for my kids: Each day, they get one of the boxes (the ones shown, plus enough additional sheep and shepherds to get the 24 complete).
In this way, the nativity scene is gradually revealed, until on Christmas, it will be complete. Which in my mind is much nicer than just having it sitting in the living room long before Christmas.
If you want to make this yourself, the good news is that it’s extremely straightforward: Just print the PDF template on sturdy cardboard, cut it out, and glue it to (empty) match boxes. The template is for boxes that are roughly 35 x 50 mm in size. Fill the boxes with sweets, and you are good to go.
Upon request, I have made another template for the three wisemen:
Here is the PDF.
And if you prefer the template in PNG format, here it is.
December 20th, 2012 at 6:13 am
[...] Christmas paperdolls for Mary (pregnant and with baby Jesus) and Joseph. At DigiProp, they have a diy Advent calendar that’s a nativity scene and of all things, it’s made of match boxes!! Sarah Jane has [...]
December 18th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Thank you. I have filed for next year.
December 6th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
[...] is leuk zeg! Maak een kerststal van luciferdoosjes. Op deze site vind je alle benodigde figuren. Download de PDF, print de figuren, knip ze uit en plak ze op een [...]
December 2nd, 2012 at 12:39 am
I was never into the various “open the window” type of Advent calendars. This, though, Genious! I love how you share it with your children.
October 25th, 2012 at 12:00 am
haha brill love this
October 1st, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Wow, great!
Where are the 3 kings with the presents, though?
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:46 am
Good point – if I can find the time, I will make them before the Christmas season comes around.
November 5th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Not online wise men, but, camels, Angels, palm trees (?), there are many other items that could be used to fill up the 24… LOVE THIS!!!!
September 5th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Thank you for sharing your talent with all these printables for us to do and play with.
July 24th, 2012 at 3:31 am
Where have you been all my life? Everything here is awesome. But, this nativity scene…I’m in love. Thank you so much for making this available.
December 19th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Beautiful Nativity Scene, I’ve copied to bear this in my activities. Thank you.
Sorry Google traductor.