These instructions will teach you how to make an advent calendar or two. Choose from a large selection of patterns! You can make fabric advent calendars, paper advent calendars, and so many others using these free craft projects.

Waiting for Christmas Day to arrive can be tough. The anticipation of Santa's visit, family gatherings, and special gifts can make each day seem like an eternity, especially for kids.

Something we have always used to help make the wait for Christmas a bit easier to handle is an advent calendar. The word advent originated from a Latin word meaning 'arrival'. With an advent calendar, you countdown each day until Christmas in a special way. You usually start the countdown on December 1st, but you can design your advent calendar to start on any day you like.

Here are some advent calendars you can make to help you with the countdown to that special day.

• Advent Candy Tree and Poem
  Follow these instructions and you can make a special advent craft along with a poem that goes along with it.
• Advent Collage Craft
  Made with printable templates and magazine pictures, this advent craft is simple enough for the youngest crafter.
• Advent Handprint Wreath
  This fun advent wreath is made with paper handprints.
• Good Deed Advent Jar
  Decorate a plain jar and fill it with good deads. Pull out one good dead (or more) to do every day before Christmas.
• Advent Christmas Tree
  Print out a Christmas tree template and Christmas tree ornaments and use them to count down the days until Christmas.

• Days until Christmas Activity Calendar
  This calendar will not only help you count down the days until Christmas, but also gives you fun activity options for every day.
• Felt Advent Christmas Tree
  These instructions include a printable pattern for a Christmas tree.
• Advent Santa Beard
  Create an advent calendar that looks like Santa and his beard is made of advent rings.
• Advent TP Christmas Tree
  Recycle toilet tissue rolls into a fun Christmas tree decoration that doubles as an advent calendar.

I hope you enjoy all of these advent calendar crafts and activities. If you make any of these crafts, make sure you send in a photo. You can also get your crafts published.