Advent Paper Chains: An Easy Christmas Craft

One Christmas craft that my family has done in the past was to create a paper chain to keep track of the days until Christmas. The paper train had 25 links and each day the children removed one link. Well, my friend Cassie, yes the same one with the IKEA sheves for the workboxes, sent me a link to Jim Elzerman's version of the paper chains. He turned the paper chains into an Advent devotional:

"The links are numbered 1-25 and on each link is a different theme and scripture reference. Hang the chain with 25th link at the top and remove one link each day during December leading up to Christmas, using the scripture for family devotions and the theme as a focus for prayer. It's a handy way to count off the days until Christmas and learn more about the real meaning of the holiday. ~ Jim Elzerman"

The printable on the original site is not working, so Cassie made a new printable based on the scriptures listed by Mr. Elzerman (scroll to the bottom of the post for the link). I was going to make them, but she beat me to it. Cassie planned and designed the chain way better than I would have--and used cool numbers from digital designer, Anna Aspnes. Cassie is using this craft with a group of children, so she set up the file to save ink and paper. Follow her directions if printing for more than one child. If you want to print just one set for your family, you will follow the color directions listed but just print one of each page. On several of the pages you'll have some extras--just put in your scrap pile ;).

First print out the strips on the colors indicated in the file. Cassie mentioned that one way to really dress up the paper train would be to print on double-sided scrapbook paper that has a pattern on one side.

Cut the strips with a paper cutter.

Now I decided to get all fancy with the star. Since I will probably be using this idea each year, I wanted a more durable star. I had a clear cd in my recycle bin that I thought would work perfectly. If you don't have a clear one, use any old cd.

First tie a piece of ribbon through the center of the cd to the top. This strip will be the hanger. Next tie another piece of ribbon through the center of the cd toward the bottom. This will be where the paper chain will attach.

Cut out two of the yellow stars. Use a strong adhesive on the stars. I used double-sided Super Tape by Thermoweb. Make sure the top hanger has the knot at the top and the bottom hanger has the knot toward the center. Place one star on one side to hold the ribbons in place. Place another star on the opposite side.



If you use a plain cd, cut 2 circles of Christmas paper or cardstock just slightly smaller in diameter than the CD. I like to have a little bit of the shiny metal showing. Tape the ribbons in place on the cd so they don't move. Then cover the paper circles with adhesive--spray adhesive, Super Tape by Thermoweb or the Xyron 900 work best. Cover both sides of the cd with the paper circles. It should look like a big circle ornament with a ribbon at the top and ribbon at the bottom. Next add the cut-out stars and any other embellishments. Basically it is a version of an altered CD. For an example of one I've done in the past check out Everyday Digital Scrapbooking and scroll down toward the bottom of the page.

We have a whole stash of old cd's that my children love to decorate with Permapaque Opaque Paint Markers by Sakura. These markers work on cd's ceramics, wood, metal, glass plastic and more. My older daughter did the cd decorating for this craft.

Then start assembling the paper train. The number 25 will be attached to the star. We stapled all our links because that goes faster, but you can glue them or use other adhesives.

What a great way to keep track of the days and focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

Since Cassie does not have a blog, please leave your thanks in the comments below. I know she'll enjoy reading them :) Thanks for sharing the printable with us Cassie.

If you have a Christmas Craft posted on your site that teaches about the true meaning of Christmas, or is something that makes Christmas meaningful to you, link it up in the McLinky found on the Making Christmas Meaningful Crafts post.

Advent Chains Printable

Download terms of use: Please feel free to share this printable with others, but please direct users to this post, not the download. Also, do not upload the file to any online groups or file-sharing sites.

Check out more free Christmas Printables from Spell Outloud

Making Christmas Meaningful: Crafts

This week I am featuring Christmas crafts that help tell the story of the Savior's birth, or have some significance in making your Christmas meaningful.


Several years ago my children made Jesse Tree ornaments for our tree. A Jesse Tree or Jesus Tree, has ornaments that retell the story of Jesus' family tree. The picture above isn't an official Jesse Tree ornament, but that year the kids really got into the groove and filled the tree with all sorts of paper ornaments. I believe that was my son's self-portrait.

Jesse Tree:

Kendra at The Pumpkin Patch made a fabric Jesse Tree.
Here's the post that shows how she made her ornaments out of clay.

Now Jesus Tree Decorations is an awesome resource for this project. They have two free sets of ornament printables black and white and colored. In the already colored set, there are also some updated versions of some of the ornaments in black and white. I think this is what my family is going to use this year.

Here is another resource that has printable ornaments and a devotional to go along with the Jesse Tree.

For some Advent and Jesse Tree craft ideas, this PDF has patterns and ideas.

More Advent and Jesse Tree links listed on the Advent Lapbook Resources page by photojenic.

So link up your Christmas crafts that help make your Christmas meaningful. Please make sure that you are posting the permalink to the exact post, not just to your homepage.

Here's the main Making Christmas Meaningful post. There are free printable pages for starting your own Family Traditions Notebook. You can find them in the organization category link and the books/music link. They are also located in the free printables box listed in the left-hand sidebar.