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The plan for December
Elf advent calendar: 24 days, one plan
An elf advent calendar does not need 24 gifts. It needs 24 small moments that add up to a story: the move-in, a few pranks, letters back and forth, a story before bed, quiet days in between and a farewell that is not sad. This plan spreads exactly that across December. You need five to ten minutes per evening, a little more at the weekend.
One hour of preparation
- Pack a box with flour, cotton wool, googly eyes, tape, paper, pens, toothpicks and adhesive pads.
- Print the twelve letters from the letter library once and fill in the elf's name.
- Decide which models to print: the door and the North Pole post are enough for the whole plan.
- Bookmark or print the three elf stories.
- Mark two weekend dates for the big scenes in your calendar.
- 1
Moving in
The door is up, with mat, boots and the move-in letter carrying the elf's name.
Letter10 min → - 2
Flour footprints
Tiny tracks lead from the door to the breakfast table. The elf had a look around.
Prank3 min → - 3
The first question
The elf asks by letter about the family's favourite biscuits. Replies welcome.
Letter5 min → - 4
- 5
The first snow
Read-aloud story in the evening. Afterwards the elf sleeps; nothing happens.
Story8 min → - 6
St Nicholas morning
One of the children's boots stands at the elf door with a tiny parcel from the elf inside.
Scene5 min → - 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Post from the North Pole
The North Pole post is ready. The children may post their wish lists.
Letter5 min → - 11
- 12
Post from the North Pole
The second read-aloud story. The next morning the reply to the wish lists lies at the door.
Story10 min → - 13
Snowball workshop
Cotton balls lie ready, two have landed in the hallway. The children may throw back.
Scene6 min → - 14
- 15
Quiet day
Just a paper candle with an LED at the door. It is the third Sunday of Advent.
Quiet day2 min → - 16
Craft request
The elf asks for a picture for its room. The next day it is “hung up” behind the door.
Letter5 min → - 17
- 18
Little Christmas market
Three stalls and a paper string of lights. The elf sells biscuits for drawings.
Scene10 min → - 19
The winter house on Fir Lane
The third read-aloud story, best with a snow lantern outside the window.
Story10 min → - 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
The farewell
Suitcase, farewell letter, a small gift. The door stays, the light behind it is out. Until next year.
Letter10 min →
Keeping the plan going
- Quiet days are part of the plan, not a failure. Children remember the big scenes, not the gaps.
- If an evening falls through, the elf simply brings the next idea forward. Nobody is counting.
- Put every flour prank on a tray. Saves ten minutes in the morning.
- Siblings of different ages: the teenager pranks from the big collection fit the second half of December.