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I debated making a countdown calendar this year since, to be honest, I’m just exhausted.  But I got a few requests and have made one every year since 2012 so I just had to do it.  I know there are those that feel like counting down is too much like an advent calendar – but here’s the thing, we count down all sorts of things: birthdays, vacations, etc.  In our house we have a Halloween countdown calendar too.  It just adds excitement and anticipation to things, especially in these rainy grey fall days.  

I decided to go easy on myself and use last year’s design since I love the hamsa and chai from these absolutely adorable sketch-tastic Hanukkah graphics. I did change the font at the top and also decided the stickers needed something special so I used my holographic Silhouette sticker sheets.  I kept the one that says “Send Cards” to remind you to get those holiday cards in the mail.  I did add a Thanksgiving one given this year’s timing! Nothing fancy needed to cut these out – since they are in an easy grid I used a papercutter but scissors would work just fine too.  You could also just print on paper and apply with tape or glue.  Or you can have your kid stick on whatever stickers you have around the house or even just color the days.  There are infinite ways to count down.  I still fondly remember the whiskey-a-day Hanukkah treats I made my husband one year.

Click on the image above to download your own printable PDF of the Hanukkah Countdown Calendar. For personal use only. © Made by Mamaleh 2021

Click on the image above to download your own printable PDF of the Hanukkah Countdown Calendar Stickers. For personal use only. © Made by Mamaleh 2021

While we are on the topic of counting down, lets talk about the fact that there are so many cool advent calendars out there these days – wine, beer, toys – you name it!  My daughter always wants them, especially when they say they contain “exclusive” items.  Why should Christmas-celebrating kids be the only ones to get these?  So we bought the Mini Brands Advent at Target and converted it to a Hanukkah countdown calendar.  We added Hanukkah stickers to cover up any reference to advent and wrote in “Countdown” with a Sharpie – nothing fancy but given its purpose it doesn’t need to be. Then we added days til to each of the doors with more Hanukkah stickers.  And we are started from 24 so as not to be confused about what we are doing, we are counting down, not counting up.  That just meant she *HAD* to open doors 24, 23, and 22 today to kick it off – turns out one was an exclusive mini golden ice-breakers candy replica!

How are your Hanukkah projects going so far?