Happy Thanksgiving week! I hope you had a lovely weekend preparing for the holiday! We had Round 1 with one side of the family on Saturday, and I did some serious damage to my backside. #badonkadonk But I’m not so worried about it that I won’t do it again this Thursday, when we sit down for Round 2 with more family!
With December 1 just around the corner (what the what?!), it’s time to prep the advent calendars. This is one of my favorite traditions, and I’ve created one for my kids every year. Watching them race to open it every morning never gets old. And funny, no matter how old they get, they are still just as excited. I had good intentions to create something new and fun for this year, but life got crazy and I decided to call in some reinforcements.
I felt guilty for not making it myself…for about 30 seconds. Then I cut myself some slack and ordered this adorable paper village advent calendar for $15. Truthfully, I would have spent more than that DIYing one. It arrived last week and we’ve had fun assembling the little boxes together…but the treats inside remain a secret! I’m planning on arranging it on our bookshelves so they’ll have to hunt for the number each day. (I couldn’t resist getting this garland at the same time. I mean, it’s pom-pom, so resistance was futile.)
If you’re looking for something to create yourself, here are some of our ideas from year’s past.
I love seeing these old posts…they remind me how far our little house has come! Not to mention, how big my baby has grown! #sob
Here are a few more cute DIY options I rounded up online.
 |
| DIY Felt Advent Calendar |
 |
| DIY Scrapbook Paper Advent |
 |
| DIY Envelope Advent |
However, if you’re like me this year, and want to just cut to the fun, here are some you can have delivered to your doorstep…ready to go!
 |
| Advent Pocket Garland |
 |
| Advent Wall Hanger |
 |
| Santa Advent Calendar |
 |
| Wooden Tree Box Advent |
Do you count down the days until Christmas with an advent calendar? One good tip I’ve learned over the years is to have all your activities printed out, but don’t place them in the calendar until the night before. No matter how much I plan, every year I’m inevitably digging through the calendar trying to swap out activities because of schedule changes. What are some of your favorite activities or treats to include? I listed some of our go-tos in this post.
P.S. You guys….Barrington Bags is having a secret pre-black Friday sale! They have never had a sale before, and are offering 10% off sitewide!! You know I’m a fan and have been carrying my striped and reptile versions constantly, so if you’ve been waiting, now is your chance! Just use code CYBER10!
 |
| Striped Bag Outfit | Reptile Bag Outfit |
I need to get cracking on an advent calendar… Thanks for the ideas!
cute ideas! i found one i really want at crate and barrel but it's sold out! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I'm totally itching to make an advent calendar for my daughter but I think she might be too young. How old were your kids when you started?
My kids were probably around 3 when I started, but you could totally start now with little activities and small piece of candy. Even if she doesn't fully get you, you'll love it! š
Looking for small treat ideas to put inside (other than candy). Any thoughts? Thanks!
That's why I'm big on little activities…just small things like reading a story together or looking at lights. Little treats could be temporary tattoos, jacks, and other small toys. I'd hit up the Dollar Store for ideas!
Love the little envelope idea…that looks super easy while making a cute decoration on the fridge! Great ideas!
Eeks! This totally puts me into the Christmas spirit!!
I am loving the advent calendar made out of envelopes, shaped to look like a Christmas tree. So stealing this idea for my kiddos…
Ahhh…your daughter is so cute! I do an advent calendar every Christmas for my hubby. Never too old, right? He loves opening one each morning with a date night planned, a fun outing to see Christmas lights, a "cuddle evening" by the fire and hot cocoa, etc. I better get on this years!
Your washi tape advent calendar on the fridge is still one of my all-time favorites!
Love all of your ideas I do the Naptime Diaries advent calendar–it's beautiful and so meaningful. So far, I've stayed away from the treats because my kids are pretty much in a sugar coma from Thanksgiving through New Years, and my hubby is a dentist š