This year, my family is trying as much as possible to have a handmade Christmas, from decorations to treats to presents. Our advent calendar is the next project on our list, and our research dug up three fun, simple ideas from Kids Craft Weekly, and one slightly more labor-intensive (but totally worth it) project from Holly at Stitch/Craft.

First up, how adorable is the fabric chain-link calendar (pictured at the top of this post) that Holly designed and made? Each link unbuttons to reveal a slip of paper naming a holiday activity for your family to do that day, from drinking cocoa to going ice skating. (For more activities, Jordan at Oh Happy Day recently posted a great list of ideas.)

If you're looking for a project where the kids can be more involved, Kids Craft Weekly rounded up three cute ideas involving paper chains (similar to the fabric chain), mini envelopes, and origami cups. And for still more calendar activities, they list a dozen or so sweet ideas, including "Paint everybody's toenails in Christmas colours" and "Purchase a present to give to charity." The projects and activities are all in this post.

Images: Holly Ramer and Amber Carvan