My ebook, Truth in the Tinsel comes out this Friday! (Wheeee!) I am so incredibly excited and nervous about it. I’ve had tons of good feedback about it and I am practically jumping up and down in anticipation over here. Thank you to everyone who has shared the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page and looked through the review copy. You guys have created a buzz!

One of my favorite parts of the book is the clues. Yes, clues. Each day we’ve provided printable pictures or words to “tease” the theme of the story and activity for your kids. My designer at Buzzhive made two awesome sets of printable clues. Ready for a sneak peek? Here you go…

One is a printable paper chain. You know, like a  traditional red and green paper chain? All you have to do is print it, cut it out and you’ve got an instant advent calendar! Each day you’re kids will break a link off, read the clue and then listen for it as you read. (Or you could do the opposite and add to the chain every day. Whatever floats your boat!)

The second clue option is some cute little pictures that you can print, cut out, place inside an Advent Calendar. Then, every day your children can pull out the clue to listen for as you read.

Some people have been asking about what kind of Advent Calendar to do this with. I sorta forget that not everyone is an Advent Calendar addict aficionado like me, so I thought I’d show you some fabulous ideas for advent calendars. Most of them are quick and easy do-it-yourself ideas you should be able to whip up in a couple of hours.

1. The Box

Source: ohamanda.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

OK. So this isn’t a DIY. It just happens to be the exact one we have. I got it as a present a few years ago and I love it! It’s from Target–I know they have a version of it every year. It’s perfect for our little clues–last year we actually put Nativity Scene stickers in it. The kids love opening up those doors!

2. Envelopes

Source: mamahall.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

This is the one I’d suggest if you don’t have an advent calendar: just grab 24 envelopes, number them with stickers, markers or cute paper, insert a clue into each one and string it up with clothespins! How easy is that?

3. Take Out Boxes

Source: givinguponperfect.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

My friend, Mary made these cute little boxes last year. You can buy these little take-out boxes at Michael’s. Or, I guess, if you’re trying to save money, just wash them out after you eat Chinese. *wink*

4. Tissue Paper Pop Cups

 

This one doesn’t look too Christmasy because it was our vacation countdown last year! But if you did some small dixie cups and covered them with red and green tissue paper? CUTE.  And don’t forget to write the numbers on top to make sure you do the days in order!

5. Magnetic Muffin Tin

Source: somewhatsimple.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

If you are a scrapbook-y kind of person, this one is perfect for you. Just make little covers for your 24-count muffin tin and add some magnets to each cover. Uncover one every day to find your clue!

6. Paper Cones

Source: familyfun.go.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

Another easy one–as long as you have some green paper at home. Just roll them up into cones, turn them upside down and you have Christmas trees. You can put your clues under the trees and let the kids uncover a new one each day. Or as my kids would probably say every time they turned over a new tree, “Timmmberrrrrr!”

7. Socks or Mittens

Source: Martha Stewart

Grab some old Christmas-colored socks or leftover, unmatched mittens and turn them into an easy Advent Calendar!

8. Small Boxes

Source: ohamanda.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

This one is way fun because you let the kids help you make it by coloring cards you attach to small boxes! Then put your clue inside the boxes for each day!

9. Brown Paper Bag

Source: craftastica.blogspot.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest

 

This one is so cute because it’s just made from brown paper bags! I love it! Just modpodge, use stickers or stamps to decorate the little pockets! How adorable is that?

10. What Advent Calendar will you be using this year?
{See my Advent Calendar Pinterest board for more ideas!}

:: :: ::

Don’t forget, Truth in the Tinsel will be on sale THIS Friday, November 25. Because it’s Black Friday, it will be hugely discounted, too! Make sure you’ve LIKEd the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page to stay updated on launch day!

linked to ohAmanda‘s Top Ten {Tuesday}