In my years as a nanny, I’ve spent a lot of time searching for Christmas and Advent activities and resources that would invite us to a place of remembrance together without feeling too rigid; activities that weren’t too expensive and that wouldn’t leave behind excessive clutter.
Over the years I’ve collected the following resources and wanted to gather them all into one central location to share with you:
- Rob Wilson Nativity—I love the illustration style and design of this nativity. I first found it last year and we simply cut out the pieces and glued them to Cheerio boxes to make them sturdier. This year I cut them out and Modge Podged them to some widdling blocks from the craft store.
- Made by Joel Nativity—This website offers a free printable “paper city” nativity. The print out can be decorated (or left black and white) and then the paper dolls folded to stand upright. We chose to use watercolors this year to paint one set and then glued all the characters to popsicle sticks to act out the nativity scene. Another year I think I’d like to try making a set with felt backing. I appreciate open ended resources. (Side note: Made by Joel also has a few other free printable paper cities like Paris and Sydney and a dinosaur scene. It’s a neat site.)
- Ann Voskamp Jesse Tree Ornaments—For those not familiar, a Jesse Tree is a way of offering context for the Christmas story and our need for a Savior. It is a retelling of the Biblical narrative from the beginning so that you end up at the birth of Jesus by Christmas. I’ve tried to do this as a one ornament a day sort of deal. I’m not very good at it. Perhaps it will suit our future selves better. But presently, we are painting a few at a time and reading the stories in little bursts and that’s suiting us best. Also, though it is a Jesse “Tree” we’re short on space and we’re hanging these from an embroidery hoop this year and I love them that way too.
- Red Bird Blue Blog Advent Countdown Cards—Despite how familiar I am with the nativity story, sometimes when Graham and I play with our nativity sets I don’t quite know where to start. Storytelling doesn’t come naturally to me. These cards offer a brief scripture passage that serves as a lovely starting point for sharing the story with little ones. http://redbird-blue.blogspot.com/2013/11/free-printable-christmas-story-advent.html?m=1
