Day 1- Count Down Calendar

I'm so excited to finally get all of this together!! It only took me like a MONTH to get the banner and background kinks worked out, but here we are, in the 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!!! So today officially begins my countdown to Christmas. I have a lot of things in mind for the days to come, so hold on tight and check back daily!!

Being December 1, I thought it would be fitting to do a very easy and kid friendly craft. Kids love to count down the days until Christmas, so what better way that to make a calendar to do it? This is super simple, so let your children help, let their creative juices FLOW!!

I started with these supplies:

~ 2 sheets of foam (12" x 18") in contrasting colors
~ various crafty stickers (most were felt)
~ hole punch
~ ribbon
~ foam glue (it works better than elmer's in my experience)
~ markers
~ something to mark the day (look for something less than 2" wide- I used a little felt banner)
~ scissors
~ ruler

First, decide which piece of foam you'd like to use for the background. Take the other piece of foam and mark off a 2" grid, 5 rows and 5 columns (this will be your cutting guide for the day pockets). Cut out the 25 squares, don't worry about how perfectly square they are. It may even be fun to use scrapbooking scissors to give the edges a cutesy look.

Here's a pile of my lil squares.

Now you want to take all the little squares and kind of map out how you want to place them. Be creative! I made mine in straight lines just like a calendar, but feel free to place the squares however you want. The important thing is to make sure you have 25. Now, number each square, 1 through 25.

Starting with the first square, place a string of glue on the backside bottom and two edges. 

Glue the square in the place you planned, and gently but firmly press the sides and bottom. Be careful not to use too much glue, because the top HAS to be open to place our day marker in. Glue all of the squares in place. Punch two holes at each end of the top of the calendar, making sure not to get too close to the edge because foam tears easily. Cut a piece of ribbon about 2 ft long. Run the ribbon through the front sides of each hole and tie double knots on the backside to hold the ribbon hanger in place. Cut off any excess ribbon.

Punch a hole near the bottom of the calendar (or wherever you want to place the ribbon for the day marker). Cut another piece of ribbon to hold the day marker. I used a piece about 30" long. Run the ribbon through the hole and knot. Then attach the ribbon to the day marker, using glue (or however would be best for the day marker you are using- punch hole and tie the ribbon or use tape, whatever works). Lay the calendar down to dry. Decorate with whatever supplies you have on hand :)

Here's my finished product (the kids decorated it )

This is so super easy, I know anyone could do it!! The point is not how crafty or beautiful you can make it, or whether it matches your decor. The point is to have fun! Let your kiddos help!! And spend some quality time together!!