Chocolate Advent calendars have become increasingly popular over recent years, to the extent that from September onwards a plethora of chocolate calendars will begin to appear on supermarket shelves everywhere.
Based on the original idea of counting down the days to advent, chocolate advent calendars are usually made of card and will have 24 or 25 windows, one of which is opened each day in December. Behind each window, there is of course, a chocolate treat.
There is a multitude of chocolate advent calendars to choose from, often branded for popular TV and film characters, major football clubs or even private companies - all designed to help children (of all ages!!) count down the days to Christmas.
Take a look below at the huge selection of yummy chocolate calendars that are available for 2011
Chocolate Advent Calendars
Make your own chocolate advent calendar
Kids can make their own chocolate advent calendars for themselves or for their siblings and families. They can even make this easy recycled holiday craft idea into an activity they do with friends, for a chocolate advent calendar exchange. Most of these items you can find around the house, but you might have to buy the chocolate.
What you Need to Make Chocolate Advent Calendar
Materials for the Chocolate Advent Calendar
two empty egg cartons
24 wrapped chocolate candies like Hershey's Kisses
Supplies Needed to Assemble the Chocolate Advent Calendar
green or red construction paper
red or green paint
paint brush
glue
red or green yarn
a hole punch
red or green paint
paint brush
glue
red or green yarn
a hole punch
three red, green or white pipe cleaners
Preparation for Making a Free Advent Calendar
1. Attach the Recycled Egg Cartons Together
Carefully tear an egg carton in half, the long way, so you are left with the section where the eggs would sit. Do this to both egg cartons. Recycle the lids of the egg cartons, or save them for other crafts.
Now you will need to attach the two egg carton halves together. Use a hole punch to to make small holes in the edges of the carton. Make three holes in the egg carton.One below the first egg holder, one in the middle and one above the bottom egg holder. Do the same to the other egg carton.
Thread a red or green pipe cleaner through the the top two holes in each egg carton. Then do the same for the other holes. This will keep the egg carton advent calendar together, while still making it easy to close and give as a gift.
Next make two holes in the top of the egg carton Advent Calendar. Thread a piece of red or green thread through one hole and tie a knot in the back. Leave a loop at the top and then thread the other end of the yarn through the other hole, tying another knot in the back. This will be used to hang the Advent Calendar.
2. Paint the Chocolate Advent Calendar
Using your favorite red or green paint, paint the entire front of the egg cartons and the sides. You can use red or green or even silver or gold. Paint inside the egg cartons, too. Set the painted egg cartons aside and let them dry.
Tip: Use a light coat of paint for quick drying time.
3. Make the Numbers
Cut out a circle that is about two inches around in every direction. Test it to see how well it will fit over the egg carton hole without overlapping the neighboring circle. You may have to fold part of the circle under when it is time to glue the numbers.
Once you have the exact circle size and shape correct, cut out 23 more circles. An adult or friend may want to help you.
Cut the circles out of the opposite color paper that you pained the egg carton. For example, for a red egg carton, use green construction paper. You can make the circles all the same color or different colors.
Use a crayon, a marker or a paintbrush to draw the numbers 1 through 24.
How to Make a Chocolate Advent Calendar
1. Fill With Chocolate
When the paint is dry, place one chocolate into each egg carton holder.
2. Glue the Numbers
Glue each number on top of the egg carton holes. Start with one in the upper left hand corner and go across until you reach four. Start the next row with number five. Continue until you glue the final number, 24.
Tip: Glue the outer edges of each circle and press lightly until the circle sticks.
You can use your chocolate advent calendar yourself, counting down the days to Christmas.
Or you can give it to a friend as a fun pre-holiday gift.
Posted by Pam Gaulin on
www.associatedcontent.com/