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19 November, 2011

French Advent Calendar Ideas to Try!

calendrier-avent-sachets-organdiI was so excited when  received my latest email from the French online magazine Marie Claire Idées because it was filled with fabulous ideas for creating Advent calendars…for both adults and children! So just in case you don't read it, I thought I would share these wonderful ideas with you.
The first calendars originated in Germany in the early 1800s as a way to mark the arrival of Christmas during the month of December. It has always been such a charming custom to me and we have celebrated it in some form each year at my house…generally with the Christmas pictures hiding small pieces of chocolate. However, I am thinking we will try something different this year! This one is so pretty…organdy pockets buttoned on burlap and filled with tiny gifts…love it!

calendrier-avent-bois This one stars pretty wrapped boxes stacked on birch logs..unusual!

calendrier-avent-cadeaux-tissus How cute is this one…not difficult to do with just some felt, gingham and yarn!

calendrier-avent-maisons-carton This one would be easy and fun! You could make it with milk or juice cartons and construction paper…love it!

calendrier-avent-tissu-triptyque If you are talented at handwork, this one is for you…stitched on muslin with button-on pockets and tags to update them each day. That’s an old Christmas card graphic transferred to the calendar.

imageboiteallumette This one is simple match boxes..painted and stacked and glued in the shape of a tree. Each box is filled with chocolates.

imagechaussette1 I love this one…socks and gloves appliquéd and hung in a child’s room!

imagedisque This one is more modern and is meant for the adults in the family. You could make it all of felt and use Velcro to attach the numbers each day….or do a traditional flannel board.

pochettes-perles-calendrier-avent Isn’t this one festive…pretty little drawstring bags to open each day filled with luxurious chocolates wrapped in gold foil!

imagetorchon You’ve gotta love this one…made on a vintage French dishcloth!

calendrier-avent-puzzle-rennes-noelThis one is a puzzle…with pieces in little numbered envelopes to open and assemble one piece a day. You can actually download this one here! Just scroll down and click on Téléchargez (download)  and print. There is a front design and a back with the lines for cutting it. Just mount both sides back to back on poster paper and cut with an Exacto knife. You can find little envelopes at an office supply store.

calendrier-avent-maison-papier-fenetres-noel This one is my favorite, but a little more involved to try. You can find it here. Just scroll down and look for the word Téléchargez (download). For this one, you will want to download the four parts labeled …maisons A4 and the two parts labeled …fenêtres. It’s pretty self-explanatory. Just piece the houses together and glue, then cut the windows and doors open with an Exacto knife. Next, add the little numbered pictures to the back of the calendar. You can add the calendar to poster paper to give it more body. The picture on the web site may be helpful.

calendrier-avent-anges-musique-aimants-noel And finally, this one can be found here. Just download (Téléchargez) and use transfer paper to create these designs on fabric. Then stitch, stuff and pop into little numbered sacks. Or you could also just print, glue to poster paper and cut, then stash them in little envelopes.
December first is fast approaching, so I had better get busy!

18 comments:

  1. How fun. All of these are such great ideas and so unusual. I love the one with the logs on the stairs. Really creative. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Oh my! I love that sweet hand embroidered one!

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  3. What a fun post ...so glad i stopped by.

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  4. Gorgeous ideas!! I like purple accents!

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  5. My favorite is the first one. Not too hard to do, either. I love advent calendars and will keep this in my scrapbook of favorite things. Thanks Deb. Hugs, Deb

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  6. I love the puzzle one and the dishcloth one. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  7. What a wonderful post, Debbie! I love reading the history behind the calendars, too. I love your blog - it's always so fun and inspriing. I've been a follower for a while and now I'm grabbing your button, too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Cindy

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  8. P.S. I see you also have some feline staff members! lol Your Kitty looks like my Rudy!

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  9. Really cute ideas. I love the house one at the end the best but they are all great. oh..love the little matchbox tree, too! xo Diana

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  10. How fabulous they all are! Thank you for sharing. I really want to make one, but I think I'll have to put it on the list for next year. Hope you have a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  11. Those are all adorable, Debbie; I'm so glad that you shared them with us. As soon as I saw the pic with the birch logs, I dragged my hubby over to show him the pic and asked him to cut me some birch the next time he had his chainsaw out. They will make fantastic "risers" as I decorate my country home.

    Hugs,
    Pam

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  12. These are so cute! I can't wait until Tiger is old enough to have an Advent Calendar! hugs, Linda

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  13. These are so beautiful. I'm crazy about advent calendars, and I'm so enamored with that first one, the French inspired beauty.
    Maureen

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  14. I love the birch logs on the steps but I was thinking as I looked at the gorgeous photo that I would trip and break my neck on stair decorations! Can't wait to see what you make.

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  15. Debbie I love all of these ideas!! It is fun to see something new and inventive like these. I can't wait to see which one you make, I know it will be wonderful and your Grandson's will love it!! You are such a clever lady full of wonderful information. I am going to pin a few of these, I think readers will really enjoy seeing how it is done in France,xo Kathysue

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  16. such cute ideas....I love the matchbox tree...Very clever...

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  17. Terrific ideas. I forwarded this post on to my sister last night. She has grands that are just the right age for enjoying an Advent Calendar.

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie