**This blog is reader supported, and some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases**
The Advent season is a time of quiet anticipation and joy, and in our home, we cherish creating traditions that are meaningful and beautiful. It is so much more than a countdown to Christmas—it’s a time to honor the soul’s journey inward and reconnect with the natural rhythms of the season. Each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas has a special theme: hope, peace, joy, and love.
I love how Waldorf schools celebrate Advent with storytelling, candlelight, and hands-on activities. It’s such a beautiful way to inspire a sense of wonder, and I wanted to bring that same feeling into our home.
Advent in the Waldorf-inspired Home:
Creating a salt- dough Advent spiral is the first step in our celebration. We gather fresh greenery, beeswax candles, and simple natural decorations like pinecones or dried orange slices. Together, we arrange the candles and greenery around our spiral to represent of the cycles of life and the journey inward that Advent brings.
Every Sunday evening, we light a candle. We start with one the first week and add another each week until all four are glowing. As we light the candle, I say a short verse that reflects the week’s theme.
For the first Sunday, I might say this traditional Waldorf verse as we light the first candle:
“The First Light of Advent is the Light of Stones, the light that shines in seashells, crystals, and in bones”
It’s such a simple ritual, but it fills us with a feeling of calm and togetherness. My kids love it, and it’s a moment we all look forward to each week.
I also make storytelling a big part of our Advent celebrations. I share simple stales that reflect the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Let me walk you through how we create this cherished tradition so you can share it with your family, too!
Crafting Your Salt-dough Advent Spiral
Begin your Waldorf Advent journey by creating a homemade salt dough advent spiral.
This simple, beautiful craft involves mixing 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water to form a pliable dough, then shaping the dough into a spiral on a baking sheet and baking until it hardens. Once cooled, you will help your children decorate the spiral in festive evergreen boughs, dried citrus fruits, holly, and/or dried cranberries… here you can let your children’s creativity shine!
Instructions:
Gathering Supplies and Inspiration:
First, we begin with a nature walk or a trip to a Christmas tree farm. This outing is one of the highlights of the season—a chance to bundle up, breathe the crisp winter air, and let the children search for winter treasures like pinecones and evergreen sprigs.
You can also pick up fresh evergreen clippings from the tree farm, which lend their woodsy aroma to the home.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can also find evergreens at your local florist or even in your backyard!
Once you have your gathered evergreen boughs, prepared or purchased your dried citrus rounds, cranberries, etc. you can follow these step by step instructions for making your salt-dough advent spiral:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Collect the following materials:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 1 cup of water
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Fresh evergreen branches (juniper, pine and fir work well)
- Candles (choose four for each Sunday of Advent, and/or a fifth to light on Christmas Day)
- Optional: dried citrus fruits, pinecones, cranberries, holly, or beautiful colored stones.
Step 2: Make the Salt Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and water. Stir until a soft, pliable dough forms.
If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour. If it’s too dry, add a touch more water.
Step 3: Roll and Shape the Spiral
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to your desired thickness, then roll and shape the dough into a spiral. Make sure it is thick enough that your candles can stand securely in it.
Press the bottom end of a candle into the dough at equal intervals, starting at the center of the spiral and working your way out. Lift the candle out of the dough as you go, making indents which will serve as your candle holders. We do 5 holes, one for each of the four Sundays of Advent, and one in the center to light on Christmas Day.
Carefully transfer the shaped spiral onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake!
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the salt dough spiral in the oven and bake for approximately 1-2 hours or until the dough hardens. Keep a close eye to prevent cracking and over-baking. Once done, let it cool completely.
Step 5: Place Candles and Decorate for Illumination:
Once your salt dough is done baking and cooled, it’s time to decorate the Advent spiral!
Place the spiral on a platter or plate (choose something you won’t mind getting candle wax on if the candles drip!).
Now, position four candles in their respective candle holding holes, representing each Sunday of Advent. Choose natural beeswax candles, or candles in traditional Advent colors – purple or blue for hope and peace, and pink or red for joy and love.
Weave the evergreens around it, arranging the branches in a way that complements the shape of the spiral.
Place dried citrus fruits, pinecones, cranberries or stones decoratively in between.
Each evening, as we gather to light a candle, we dim the lights and sing a simple song or read a short story about the season.
The first week, only one candle is lit, symbolizing the growing light in the darkness.
Then, each week, we add another candle until, by Christmas Eve, the entire spiral glows warmly.
Creating your Advent Ritual:
Gather with your family around the salt dough spiral.
Light a single candle at the beginning of the spiral and light it together.
As you do, share a special verse or sentiment about hope.
Repeat this ritual on the following Sundays, adding a new candle each week, representing the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
This gradual illumination symbolizes the growing anticipation of Christmas.
Tips for a crafting a nourishing and meaningful ritual
Recite Verses to Inspire and Connect: Nourish a deeper sense of reverence in your Advent celebrations by incorporating simple Waldorf-inspired verses or poems.
You could begin each Sunday evening by reciting a verse related to the theme of the week.
These verses, often simple and rhythmic, bring a sense of unity and connection.
You can also involve your children in creating their own verses, fostering a deeper connection to the beautiful meaning behind the season.
Add Gentle Advent Stories: You can also immerse your family in the rich storytelling tradition of Waldorf by sharing some simple, enchanting Advent tales.
Choose narratives that align with the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Allow the stories to unfold gradually over the four Sundays, capturing your family’s imagination and imparting a sense of reverence for the spiritual aspects of the holiday season.
Bring more active engagement to the stories by incorporating props or puppets to make the tales even more memorable.
We love these free stories from Waldorf Publications
Why We Love This Tradition
What I love most about our Waldorf-inspired Advent celebration is how it uses creativity, nature, and connection to create a nourishing sense of reverence to the holiday season.
Our Advent celebration helps us focus on the beauty of waiting, the joy of togetherness, and the miracle of light returning to the world. It’s a soothing ritual that anchors us during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
The act of making something with our hands, together as a family, feels deeply grounding.
And watching our children’s eyes light up as they see their handmade spiral come to life is a gift I treasure every year!
If you’re seeking a way to make the Advent season more meaningful, I invite you to try this salt dough spiral craft, and nourish your own family by creating your own warm tradition in celebration of simplicity, beauty, and the magic of the season.
May your Advent be filled with peace, warmth, and light!
