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You are here: Home / holidays / Christmas / Advent Paper Chains: An Easy Christmas Craft

Advent Paper Chains: An Easy Christmas Craft

November 17, 2009 by Maureen Spell 19 Comments

Advent Activities for Young Children

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:
advent paper chains with scripture reference: spelloutloud

“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 ;).

Advent Paper Chain MaterialsFirst 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.

Cutting Paper StripsCut the strips with a paper cutter.

Advent Paper Chain 3Now 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.

Advent Paper Chain 4Cut 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.

Advent Paper Chain5

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.Opaque Paint Markers These markers work on cd’s ceramics, wood, metal, glass plastic and more. My older daughter did the cd decorating for this craft.

Advent Paper Chain Final VersionThen 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.

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.

Names Of Jesus Advent Chain

You might also be interested in The Names of Jesus printable advent chain
Names of Jesus Printable Advent Chain

Check out more free Christmas Printables from Spell Outloud

 



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Filed Under: Christmas, holidays, printables Tagged With: printable advent chain

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Comments

  1. Melinda says

    November 18, 2009 at 9:59 am

    oh this is so close to the one I was talking about…now I don't have to try to post mine!! Only ours has hymns that go along with it. It would be simple to add a hymn to each one.

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    November 23, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    I love this…we did the chain count down last year, I am excited to add the Bible readings to it!

    Reply
  3. dailythread says

    November 30, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    Oh, thank you, thank you!!! I knitted 24 little socks to make an advent garland and have been looking for scripture verses to put in each one…the printable is awesome. Thanks again and have a merry Christ-filled Christmas!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    November 10, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    What a great idea! Thank you SO much for sharing.

    Reply
  5. Madonna (Lil' Ms.P) says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    I love it! Thanks for sharing. We will definitely be printing it off.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    November 28, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Thank You! I love this–we did the countdown chain last year–but I love that there are specific verses to go w/each one! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Lilla says

    December 7, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Thank you very much. it is late for this yera, but I saved it for next Advent.
    I also shared it on FB, Multiply and in my blogger blog

    Reply
  8. kelly_jeanie says

    December 3, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    Ok I know this is an old post but we are using the Advent chain this year and we love it. My son is super excited for his devotional each night. I can see this becoming a yearly tradition. Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Megan says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:18 am

    For the 9th it says John 11-14. Is it missing a chapter number or am I supposed to read three chapters to my child??

    Reply
  10. Carolyn Lewis says

    October 20, 2013 at 12:44 am

    I have been preparing an Advent Chain for each of the children at our Church for the past 3 years and was looking for some new inspiration. Came across this site. This has provided me with plan for this Christmas and now I can get started and get organised early. It is great to see that others are looking to share the real meaning of Christmas. Blessing to you for doing all the hard work for me.

    Reply
    • Maureen Spell says

      October 20, 2013 at 8:58 pm

      I’m glad to hear that you’ll be able to use it this year! (and way to go preparing ahead!) 🙂

      Reply
  11. Kelly says

    November 30, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Thank you so much for this! It is just what I need to bring more meaning into Christmas. Cassie, you are a wonder! And thank you Maureen for your great work, I love this blog.

    Reply
    • Maureen Spell says

      November 30, 2013 at 11:18 am

      You are very welcome! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jenny says

    December 1, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    ROTF! I just put this all together with my daughter, but backwards and we read day 25 first. I was thinking countdown, not day of the month. LOL, she said, “Mom that should be Christmas day.”

    Reply
    • Maureen Spell says

      December 1, 2013 at 10:18 pm

      LOL! I almost did the same thing today. I hung mine the wrong way. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Calley says

    December 7, 2013 at 10:04 am

    Hi, I’m trying to download the printable from Anna Aspnes link and the webpage turns up blank. Could you send me the link? This is a very neat idea!!

    Reply
    • Maureen Spell says

      December 7, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      Did you use the link in the blue box toward the end of the post? I just tried it and it worked. Please let me know if you still have problems opening it.

      Reply
  14. Justina Gibson says

    November 13, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    This sounds like a great inexpensive way for our family to decorate and have an advent calendar. Thanks for the great idea. God bless you and your family and Merry Christmas!

    Reply

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