We’re always looking for ways to make the Christmas holiday more Christ-centered in our home. With young kids it’s so easy to get caught up in the elves, jingle bells and bright, shiny toys that typically represent this holiday. So when I came across this 25 Days of Christ LDS Advent Calendar kit, I knew it would be a perfect way for our family to center on the life of Christ during this time of year.
When I received the kit in the mail it had everything I needed to get going – the wood pieces were all cut and sanded, twine was provided for hanging the ornaments, and any fabric I needed was neatly folded and ready for me to cut. The only things I needed to provide were the paint, paintbrushes, sandpaper for antiquing, a glue gun, and a thin black marker for adding eyes to the people – all of which I already had at home.
It also comes with a drawstring bag to hold all the ornaments for safe keeping. To go along with each ornament, there is is a book full of stories about Christ – one for each of the 25 days.
This is a picture of all the ornaments/pieces included in the kit. If you want to see each individual ornament and it’s accompanying story, visit the 25 Days of Christ site to see all 25 days.
Though it takes a few hours to put together, it is really quite easy. They’ve done such a great job of getting everything just right and there is such attention to detail that you don’t even need to sand anything before painting. So you can get right started into the painting…
…and assembling. A glue gun is all that’s required. And there are only a few ornaments that need to be assembled at all. Every ornament is pictured on the 25 Days of Christ website, so it’s easy to look it up and reference what you’re doing. It’s really straightforward and is so rewarding when you’ve finished!
When you’re all done, you’ll have a collection of adorable ornaments that look like this:
Starting December 1st, we read one story from the booklet provided with the kit (there are also talks from General Authorities, scriptures, and other resources listed that can be found at lds.org), and then hang the accompanying ornament on our tree (or on a line, like in the picture above). By Christmas Day, we’ll have read and learned about 25 different stories of Christ’s life, and will have 25 “made by us” ornaments hanging on our Christmas tree reminding us of those events…and the real reason for the Christmas season.
These kits are already sold out this year – that’s just how popular they are! BUT we’ve saved one for a lucky Live Craft Eat reader to enjoy this December. To enter the giveaway, follow the prompts at the bottom of this post – the more things you do, the better your chances are of winning!
Can’t get one this year? Don’t worry! There’s a waiting list for next year! And believe me, it is definitely worth the wait! You can find more information on the waiting list by clicking on this link to 25 Days of Christ – waitlist 2014. I was given a free 25 Days of Christ kit/calendar to facilitate this review/giveaway. Nonetheless, all opinions are 100% my own.
Here are the contest rules: Contest will end at midnight on Thursday, November 14th, 2013. This contest is open to residents of U.S. AND Canada! Winner will be contacted by email. Because of the tight schedule (we want to get this to the winner before December 1st!), if the winner doesn’t respond by email within 24 hours, a new winner will be selected. Good luck!
katharine says
November 8, 2013 at 4:45 pmso dang cute — my mom served her mission in France and every year on Christmas Eve, she’d make a traditional Yule Log. mmm, i can still taste it now just thinking about it.
Sharon says
November 8, 2013 at 4:52 pmLove your Blog!
One Christmas traditon we have is opening our favorite cereal on Christmas Eve.
That box is all ours, and we don’t have to share!
Jenn Mariscal says
November 8, 2013 at 6:30 pmWe make Christmas cookies together as a family a couple of weeks before Christmas.
Julie says
November 8, 2013 at 10:38 pmI remember every Christmas Eve going around caroling to family and friends and giving presents. I love how it set the right mood for Christmas!
Terelyn says
November 8, 2013 at 10:48 pmMy mother took us to have our picture with santa every year going up and I continue this tradition with my own kids.
Traci says
November 9, 2013 at 10:06 pmI’ve heard a lot about your blog but just came across it for the first time. There are so many great things and I am excited to follow you!! LOVE this advent calendar. I am excited to start traditions with my own young family, espcially those of service.
Katie says
November 11, 2013 at 10:13 pmHi Traci! We’re just starting traditions in our own family too, and it is so much fun! I’d love to hear what kinds of service traditions you plan on implementing…I could use a few ideas! 🙂
Lacey says
November 10, 2013 at 3:50 pmWe always do the 12 days of Christmas for families in need.
Pam H. says
November 11, 2013 at 1:31 pmWe have always gone to church as a family. It’s a tradition I look forward to.
Regina says
November 11, 2013 at 4:14 pmA tradition we started is to read the Christmas Story.
Nancy says
November 11, 2013 at 6:08 pmWe like to give gifts of service to others!
Emily Wells says
November 11, 2013 at 7:17 pmWe always have a big family breakfast on Christmas morning.
Robyn L says
November 11, 2013 at 7:40 pmOne childhood memory I have is every Christmas Eve, my family and I would go to the 11 PM Christmas Eve service, then home come to hot chocolate and before going to bed, we would listen to my father talk about the birth of Christ. My dad passed away last year and this is a fond memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life and a memory that I would like to share with my granddaughter. Thank you for offering this wonderful giveaway!
chera says
November 12, 2013 at 12:24 pmmaking crafts with my son that teach about Jesus’s birthday, decorating the tree together and we visit with lots of family!
meme says
November 13, 2013 at 11:06 amWe play Christmas Music and have cookies and hot chocolate while we decorate the tree
Neslihan says
November 13, 2013 at 8:44 pmWe dont have any taditions. I’d like to win this for my friend as a present.
Hilary says
November 13, 2013 at 9:13 pmDriving around to see all the Christmas lights and coming home to watch Christmas cartoons
Jamie Champagne says
November 13, 2013 at 9:33 pmLOVE! We always enjoy our church Christmas play each year – hot chocolate, fun, family and friends! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Kelly Paquet says
November 14, 2013 at 6:32 amOur christmas tradition was to open one gift on Christmas eve
Amy D. says
November 14, 2013 at 9:17 amI have a Christmas bucket list we like to use each year. It helps us remember to include all the fun things we say we want to do all year long (at Christmastime).
Kimberly Schotz says
November 14, 2013 at 9:36 amWe go for a drive and look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve
Rebecca Xavier says
November 14, 2013 at 9:42 amWe always went to the Christmas Eve service at church.
Audrey Griffis says
November 14, 2013 at 9:43 amwe put our tree up thanksgiving night
Jo Ann F says
November 14, 2013 at 10:50 amChristmas dinner with family is our tradition!
jofo120 at yahoo dot com
Emi says
November 14, 2013 at 2:48 pmWe go to a Christmas parade in town together.
Lori Obermark says
November 14, 2013 at 3:24 pmEvery year we open gifts one at a time, one per person youngest to oldest until they are all unwrapped, thanking the giver, if they are present at that time. We then jump in the pile of disgarded wrapping paper (the same way you would jump in a pile of leaves). This is the best part! It keeps the kids (and some adults) from putting too much focus on what gifts they received and more on having fun with family.
Charlie H says
November 14, 2013 at 4:45 pmEvery Christmas Eve my adoptive family would always buy us pajamas and we would all sit down together and watch a Christmas movie!
Heather Bridson says
November 14, 2013 at 5:02 pmWe have birthday cake, and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Trish says
November 14, 2013 at 6:20 pmWe enjoy setting up the tree and talking about the different ornaments.
amber whitehead says
November 14, 2013 at 7:42 pmwe ma ke Christmas cookies
Kim pollock says
November 14, 2013 at 9:16 pmLove singing Christmas carols by the fire on Christmas eve
beatriz says
November 14, 2013 at 9:23 pmI love going to church on christmas eve and spending lots of time with family!
Nicole Lancaster says
November 14, 2013 at 11:31 pmOne of my family’s Christmas traditions is all the children get together and decorate Gingerbread Houses.
Sabra says
October 11, 2015 at 9:27 pmHey…. is anything like this available to buy anywhere? Now that’s it two years later…..
Katie says
October 23, 2015 at 4:22 pmIf it isn’t available on the original website I linked to I’m not sure Sabra. HTH. Katie.