12 Days of Christmas (Day 1-4)

When I was a child my family did the 12 Days of Christmas for a family that needed some extra Christmas cheer.  It is my all time favorite Christmas Memory.  Each night we got to ding dong ditch the family with a new treat.  When you're a kid, there's nothing better than ding dong ditching.  Some people get upset if you do the 12 Days of Christmas leading up to Christmas Day.  I know it begins after Christmas but for me it's far more exciting to culminate the experience on Christmas Eve.

The last few years my kids have been far too focused on the "getting" part of Christmas.  I've tried to think of a few ways to shift their focus to "giving".  My first plan of attack is the 25 day Advent Calendar in previous posts.  Each day gives you a different scripture to read about Christ.  Since the kids are old enough this year to attempt a decent ding dong ditch, we are going to try the 12 Days of Christmas.  I am hoping it will help them get excited about thinking of someone else.

Here are some pictures of the different gift we are going to give.  With each gift we are also giving a few pieces for a nativity set.  By Christmas Eve the family will have a full nativity to remember the experience in future years.  I wanted something unique but small.  That way it can be a sweet reminder in the future without taking up a lot of room.  I found this nativity puzzle on Etsy from Arts of the Heart.  You can leave it in the case or each piece can stand up on it's own to form a nativity. 

I tried to make the gifts as homemade as possible for several reasons.  Keeping down expense and making it more personal for all is among them.  Here are the first few days.  I will update the others as I take pictures.

Day One:
On the First day of Christmas my true friend gave to me One Advent Calendar.
Each flap hides a scripture or activity that is Christ centered. 

Day Two:
On the Second Day of Christmas my true friend gave to me Two Movie Tickets and an Advent Calendar.


Day Three:
On the Third Day of Christmas my true friend gave to me Three Christmas Candles, Two Movie Tickets and an Advent Calendar.


To make the candles I used the Mini Milk Carton Die from Stampin' Up with clear velum.  I folded the bottom and sides but not the tops.  Then I added paper to the outside that had a decorative piece cut out.


 
 


Day Four:
On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true friend gave to me Four Sets of Gift Tags, Three Christmas Candles, Two Movie Tickets, and an Advent Calendar.


 

The giving starts on the 13th of December to end on Christmas Eve.  Of course it's always more fun to give anonymously.  Hope you enjoyed the photos. 
Merry Christmas and Happy Crafting.

**Update on this project.  My sister and niece (thank you Cheri and Mikale) have been delivering the first couple gifts for us since we are out of town.  On the second night the families' little girl squealed and jumped up and down when she opened the door to see another present.  So excited that they are enjoying the Christmas Cheer!  Here's to hoping we can do the whole 12 days without being caught:)

Happy Halloween Treat

 Here is a quick Halloween treat I made from the Matchbox Die.  Such a cute box.  I love Halloween stamps for some reason and this is one of my favorites. 

And of course my favorite little skeleton:)

Stampin' Up! Christmas Countdown Calendar Gifts

This year I made Christmas advent calendars for my families' Christmas presents.  I gave them out at Thanksgiving dinner so they can start using them on December 1st.  Under each window is a scripture they can read.  One a day leading up to Christmas day.  In recent years my children have gotten too caught up in the getting of presents and not enough into the reason for the season.  This is my attempt at reminding them about Christ each day.

I used the Old Testament (King James Version), New Testament (KJV), The Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.  If you are unsure of how to find each reference, just click on the scripture and the link will take you to it online.  Each scripture testifies of Jesus Christ and his mission.  Here is a list of the scriptures I used.

1.  Isaiah 7:14
2.  1 Nephi 11:18-21
3.  Mosiah 13:33
4.  In your journal, write down your family traditions and what Christmas means to you.
5.  Alma 7:9-12
6.  Isaiah 11:1-5
7.  1 Nephi 19:8-9
8.  Resolve to be a happier and kinder person.
9.  Mosiah 15:1
10.  Mosiah 15:5-7
11.  2 Nephi 11:6-7
12.  Mosiah 16:13-15
13.  In you prayers, express thanks to Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son.
14.  Ezekiel 34:11-13
15.  1 Nephi 10:9-10
16.  Mosiah 3:5-13
17.  Helaman 14:2-3,5
18.  3 Nephi 1:6
19.  3 Nephi 1:15
20.  Matthew 1:18-25
21.  Isaiah 9:6
22.  Luke 1:26-31
23.  Luke 2
24.  Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24,  Bear your testimony of Christ.
25.  Picture of Christ (I used the last stamp (#25) in the Stampin' Up set 25 and Counting

I mostly cased this project from the Stampin' Up 2011 Holiday catalog. 

I made 10 in all.  Here is part of my assembly line.   I worked on it for over two months.  I have four little kids so I had to grab a few minutes here and there during nap time.  I found cheap 12x12 frames at Micheal's.  In some cases I put the white background on top of the glass and sometimes it was underneath the glass.  I'm not sure which will wear better over time.




Finished!  Thank you Mom for helping me tape most of these.  Whew, what a lot of work but the results are fantastic.  It is hard to get the real effect from a picture.  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

P.S.  I also made a 12 day version of the calendar as a gift.  You can read the post here:
http://findingmystamp.blogspot.com/2011/11/12-days-of-christma.html