Hi friends,

As we settle into the cozy glow of the holiday season, many of us look for simple traditions that help our families slow down, connect, and savor the days leading up to Christmas or other winter celebrations.

One of my family's favorite things at this time of year is creating a stone Countdown​ Calendar or Spiral Advent to display alongside our Christmas decor.

Each of these festive DIY projects offers a beautifully minimalist, nature-inspired alternative to traditional Advent calendars.

Best of all, they are easy to set up and personalize, child-friendly, and full of opportunities for quiet reflection, prayer, gratitude, or storytelling.

My family has made several over the years and has discovered many creative ways to design and use them.

Here are a few simple ways to make your own:

Gather your stones or other items:​
Look for 24 (or any number you choose) small stones from your yard, a nature walk, or a local park. Smooth, flat stones or pebbles work great, but acorns, acorn caps, pinecones, simple wooden toys such as rainbow colored blocks, and more can be used in their place. A few more alternative ideas are included in the step-by-step tutorial.

Create a meaningful display:​
Arrange your stones in a line, spiral, or wandering path on a shelf, mantle, side table, or windowsill.

Remove a stone daily:​
Remove one stone each day to count down to Christmas or another winter holiday. Feel free to light a candle in place of the removed stone, or leave it simple.

Make it your own:​
Turn each day into a moment of connection—read a story, light a candle, recite a simple prayer, poem, or verse, share your gratitude, or complete a small act of kindness.

To see the full tutorial with step-by-step guidance and inspiration, visit Rhythms of Play at the button below:

Wherever you are in the world, I hope this simple activity brings peace, joy, and a renewed sense of wonder to your home this season.

You can see a few examples in the photograph below, and several more in the project tutorials on Rhythms of Play.

Enjoy the magic of the season!

Warmly,