Hey hey hey, how was your weekend? We celebrated an early Thanksgiving with my side of the family, then hunkered down for an early Winter storm. It’s crazy to have this kind of weather already, but I love any excuse to stay home, in pajamas, all day. I took advantage by setting our Thanksgiving table, and starting on the Christmas decor. It’s like Merry Thanksgiving around here.
Counting down the days until Christmas is so fun with kids, and creating new Advent Calendars has become a tradition for us. I just realized that December 1st is next week, so I whipped up a quick and simple one using supplies I had on hand. I’ve been a lot more elaborate in year’s past, but really all the kids care about is the daily surprise. You like how I rationalize?
This is tricky…try to keep up. Apply stickers to the bags…
Write or type the surprise activities on scraps of paper and insert in the envelopes…
We decided we like to watch the days dwindle down, so I taped the envelopes to our fridge with more washi tape. I put them out of order so they kids have to search a little. Watching them race to find their daily surprise is one of my favorite things during the holidays.
I’ve got some nosy peekers already, but they’ll just have to wait.
I think this might actually be my best system yet. With two kids, it’s difficult to put treats and prizes for both of them in small containers. This year, each envelope contains a special Christmas activity, or a riddle leading them to a treat hidden somewhere in the house.
Just a tip: Put reminders in your phone so you’ll know the days and locations you’re supposed to hide treats. And make sure to check the calendar before choosing activities…it doesn’t end well when you accidentally put ‘Stay up late for a Christmas movie’ on a school night. Just sayin’.
Do you have an Advent Calendar for your kids, hubby, or even yourself? It’s not too late to crank this easy one out!
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I love this idea! I have got to get my washi tape collection going. Looking forward to making my advent calendar.
love this idea! cute AND easy! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
What a fun idea! I know your kids will enjoy each day of fun. 🙂
LOVE this idea. It looks so cute on your fridge. I think mine are little enough to appreciate a good sticker or sweet tart tucked inside but this is even more brilliant when they can read 🙂
I love this idea! Better than chocolate!
Thanks so much for these awesome Advent calendar ideas! I'm just getting ready to make mine and it was helpful to see your other ideas!
I really love this idea. It's simple but great visually!
Jenn
With Luck Blog
Cute cute! Simple is the best : ) I'm working on my first advent calendar this year, so excited!
I love this! So simple and still cute. We'll done 🙂
Um, adorable! I love the ideas you put inside too. I think it makes for a better build up to Christmas instead of candy.
Love it girl. Ours uses little bags this year, too! And I am so with you on checking the calendar first . . it take some planning out for sure. Last year, I wrote it out the night before and tucked it in. They never knew!!!
Love yours! My mom just gave us ours.
This is adorable Cassie! I love the simplicity of it all!! How fun is your countdown to Christmas going to be?!
This is so simple I love it! I may bag my idea and do something like this instead!
This is so perfect for me! I think I will have to do something just like this. You rock!
Wonderful Cassie! I did something different this year too so I better try this next year! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love this. I'll be pinning this to use when Noah is older!
I love this idea! I've really been wanting to create an advent calendar of some sorts for my husband and I. It's kinda hard since we dont have kids to come up with treats besides candy.
Such a cute idea Cassie. About the time my girls hit high school, I started doing the 12 days of Christmas with them. They were busy with school and activities, so this was the perfect solution. They received a little something the 12 days leading up to Christmas. I do this for my 95 year old MIL as well. She loves having a little something to look forward to each day.
SO good, Cassie. Definitely storing this in my memory for when I have kids!! 🙂
LOVE this cute idea! So simple and fun!
I love this Cassie! So simple but still fun and effective! As per usual you come up with great ideas that I want to replicate!
I am prepping to do this with my little one ASAP – love it! Especially right now. My husband, son, and I are living at my in-laws (there are 8 of us in 1 house!) until our new house is completed. So it makes it a little difficult to do any kind of decorating for the holidays or planning to celebrate with just "us" and not include the ENTIRE FAMILY. This is simple and quick enough that i can keep it in our rooms for a 'just us' thing. LOVE IT! Any place you can link for ideas on notes/activities/to write about in the envelopes?
How creative! I just love your blog, not sure if I've commented before, but yours is a real favourite!
Where did you buy the # 's at? This is so cute!
Thank you!! The number stickers are from Michaels!