12 Days of Christmas Service

After my last post about advent calendars, I started searching for a more meaningful advent calendar. I considered making some sort of felt advent calendar with the nativity scene on it, but decided I would save that for another year.

Then, Kevin's cousin Heather commented on my blog. This is what she wrote:

"This year I made a little service advent calendar for our family. I found some really cute little envelopes at Michaels and numbered them 1 to 25 on the outside. Then inside we put little papers with an act of service that we were to do for that day. (ex. draw a picture and leave it on someone's bed.) Just little things we could do each day. Then I tacked up a pretty ribbon across the wall and attached the envelopes with tiny craft clothes pins. It looks very cute. The girls absolutely love it. They look forward to each morning taking a turn opening up the envelope for the day. It has worked very well. And it really has brought the true spirit of Christmas into our house. I love it!!!"

I absolutely loved her idea! So, I got in contact with her and found out what sort of services she had in mind (she also has young kids). She sent me her list:

* Draw a picture for someone in your family and leave it on their bed.
* Rub someone's feet and tickle their arms.
* Surprise someone by making their bed for them.
* Pick up someone else's mess.
* Make a special treat to take to your favorite babysitters.
* Call a cousin and tell them how much you love them.
* Call your Grandparents and tell them how much you love them. (We split it up into two seperate days. grandpa & grandma)
* Draw a picture and give it to your primary teacher.
* Find someone who is sad and give them a big hug.
* Play with someone new at school who might be shy.
* Tell Heavenly Father in your prayers how much you love him and are thankful for Jesus Christ.
* Try hard to really listen and obey mom and dad. (I really like this one.)
* Read a Christmas story from the friend.
* Sing Christmas songs with your family.
* Give a candy cane to someone you love.
* Give a special treat to mom and dad.
* Draw a picture for the Bishop.
* Write a letter/draw a picture for a missionary.
* Make cookies to take to different people. (in the ward or little friends)
* Tell someone how thankful you are for them.
* Read the Christmas story with your family.
* Write down a gift you can give to the Savior in the upcoming year. (we will do this one on Christmas day. Something simple like try to always choose the right. etc.)

Instead of doing 25 days (I was a little late getting started), I decided to do the 12 day of Christmas. You can hurry and make this today if you want to use this idea! I also simplified it to cut costs. I think it would be very pretty to hang each day from ribbon with cute craft clothespins, but out of the need to be frugal, I opted for using 3x5 cards folded in half. I taped the numbers to the front and taped the service to the inside. Very simple--and it could be cuter--but the kids love it anyways.

Thank you Heather for the awesome idea!