**WE ARE SOLD OUT OF ADVENT-IN-A-BOX! Thank you for your support of this incredible ministry! If you’re interested in digital downloads of the Advent-In-A-Box Guidebooks, please click here.**
Get ready for Christmas with Advent-In-A-Box! Prepare for Christ’s coming with a month of activities that are fun and meaningful!
The Ferncliff Advent-In-A-Box will provide tons of Advent activities in a time when our holiday traditions have to look a bit different. Advent-In-A-Box will hold 4 sections of activities, one for each week of Advent. These advent activities will be low stress for busy folks, encourage family and community connection, and help you prepare for Christmas! The activities in Advent-In-A-Box are meant to be done flexibly over the course of the week, some individually and some with others. In addition, there will be a surprise gift to help you celebrate Christ’s birth on Christmas!
We hope as the pandemic drags on, this Advent-In-A-Box can provide support for churches, families and older adults through the holiday season. Recognizing the limitations of this platform, Advent-In-A-Box is not meant to be seen as a full Sunday School, small group, or church experience, but rather an option to support families, churches and older adults during a time in which people may not be able to come together physically for holiday programs.
What’s in the box?
Each 12 x 6 x 6 Advent-In-A-Box comes with 4 sections of activities and supplies – one for each week of advent. Each section will include an advent scripture story, reflection questions, and a prayer. In addition, each section will have activities that connect to the scripture and theme, such as games, recipes, ornament-making, service activities, and holiday traditions from around the world. The box will include a guidebook to walk you through the season, as well as the supplies needed for the activities – like the pieces to make the ornaments! Recognizing that the holidays are busy times, these activities are meant to be woven in throughout a week’s time. This is a really flexible way to work in preparation for Christ’s coming at Christmas!
Click here to view a sample week – Family Edition
Click here to view a sample week – Older Adult Edition
Check out a sample week from the guidebook!
Who should receive this box?
The Ferncliff Advent-In-A-Box comes in two editions – family and older adult. Both editions will use the same scriptures and many of the same activities. These two editions work well together, so folks at a distance can share in the experience.
The Family Edition is designed to be intergenerational. Activities are appropriate for families with children or youth, and many activities would work best when done together as a family. Scripture reflection questions are relatable even for younger children, and activities are designed to bring the family closer together as they prepare for Christmas.
The Older Adult Edition is designed for mature disciples on their own. This could be perfect for home-bound folks, grandparents, or seniors living in assisted living or nursing facilities. This edition provides some deeper reflection, while keeping many of the festive activities.
How much does it cost?
Recognizing that organizations have varying financial resources, Ferncliff is offering a voluntary three-tier fee program. Your organization may choose the tier that is most suitable for you. All Advent-in-a-Box kits will include the same contents no matter what tier you choose. Shipping and Handling costs vary by location – $7 for boxes going less than 350 miles of Little Rock, Arkansas, and as much as $15 for boxes going farther than 350 miles. The cost PER BOX are as follows:
Tier I is a subsidized rate that does not reflect the full cost of the Advent-In-A-Box. Tier II is a partially subsidized rate for those who can choose to pay a little more. Tier III more closely reflects the actual cost of the Advent-In-A-Box, including staffing and production. The cost of this program helps sustain the ministries of Ferncliff.
I’m In! How do I sign up?
Churches, families and assisted living communities can order boxes by filling out an online form. The form will provide the Ferncliff staff with your information, how many boxes you need, and other logistical information. When we process your form, we will invoice you or your church for the boxes you order. After we receive your payment, we will be in touch regarding the shipment of your boxes.
Advent in a Box Collaborators:
In the midst of uncertainty in our world, we find new opportunities for friends to work together! Advent-In-A-Box was created by Ferncliff Camp and sourced for ARUMC by Camp Tanako. Ferncliff and Tanako are similar organizations with similar goals. We are seeking to support each other and consider how we can accomplish more working together than both could accomplish working separately. On this particular project Ferncliff reached out to the staff of Camp Tanako to collaborate our efforts to bring Advent-in-a-Box to you! Camp Tanako is thrilled to be a part of this endeavor!
More Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE BOXES?
Boxes will ship before November 20th so that they can arrive at their destination in time for the first Sunday of Advent – November 29th. We’ll send you a tracking number when we ship your boxes so you’ll know when to expect them.
DO YOU ORDER ONE BOX PER CHILD OR ONE BOX PER FAMILY?
The Family Edition boxes are packed with materials and instructions for one child. Some activities can work if those that receive them worked together, and some activities are designed to be done by the family – however if you’d like supplies for more than one child, we suggest each child receiving their own box.
Can we add to the boxes?
We found with our summer Camp-In-A-Box that many churches offered additional virtual/online content that enhanced the Camp-In-A-Box experience – and they loved it! We imagine that churches could build off the Advent-In-A-Box scriptures and activities for virtual worship or church-specific activities. To this end, we will be providing a digital Leader Guide.
As an added bonus, if your church is ordering 10 or more boxes and would like to add a letter, we’d be happy to put those in before we seal the boxes. Email jocelyn@ferncliff.org after you order if you’d like to add something to your church’s boxes.
WE’RE NOT PART OF A CHURCH. CAN I ORDER A BOX INDIVIDUALLY FOR MY FAMILY OR MYSELF?
Yes, you can! Fill out this order form with your information and indicate that you want an individual box for your family. We recommend checking with your church first to see if they are planning on ordering them.
OUR CHURCH ISN’T PRESBYTERIAN. CAN WE STILL ORDER BOXES?
Absolutely! Ferncliff serves campers and guests from many different denominations, including some who do not have a faith tradition. This resource is intentionally ecumenical and anyone is welcome to take advantage of this opportunity.
Does this box follow lectionary?
The scriptures for Advent-In-A-Box do not follow lectionary, though the passages are often found in the lectionary passages for Advent. To view the Advent-In-A-Box Scope and Sequence, click here.
CAN OUR CHURCH SPONSOR BOXES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONGREGATION?
Yes! Some churches may not have lots of children in the pews, but may have funds available to support children and family ministry nonetheless. Other churches may have partnerships with assisted living facilities and want to sponsor boxes for folks there. Churches can sponsor boxes to a specific organization, to families in their community who do not attend their church, or even camper families identified by Ferncliff. If this sounds like your congregation, you can fill out the application form and the Ferncliff staff will help direct your gift to provide boxes to appropriate families.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Contact Jocelyn Wildhack at jocelyn@ferncliff.org.
