Tuesday 30 November 2010

A Custom build Advent calender

I love Christmas, not only because we are celebrating the birth of Christ or because it is the end of the year and holiday time, but because I love to create the best Christmas I can for my children. For the memories, the family moments and the love we share.

I have always loved Advent calenders and the count down to Christmas. When I was a kid the standard chocolate one were no available here, or very expensive, but one year, my dad got one from overseas and really, the joy of opening each day, will never be forgotten. Christmas pretty much disappeared after his death, to be revived when I made my voice heard at about 10.

So I have made a point to get the Princess a calender to count down. Last year was the first year that the boys took any interest. This year the levels of sibling rivalry is so high, that I am doing my best to avoid it - hence, I had to get 3 of the standard chocolate ones. Then I saw the lovely wood re-usable ones at Woolworth, but alas, expensive and sold out! So, I decided to make my own, and to make it portable to take on holiday, if we have the space.

So this is what I did:
Take 1 compartment box (from Plastic warehouse etc) - I had this one lying around in my office.
Find Christmas images on Google - measure your box and set up on Photoshop or such to fit over the container. I had to divide two compartments with board to get 24 boxes.
Buy sweeties and goodies to fill the boxes.
Fill and stick paper over - the kids will break the paper at the appropriate date every evening.
And done - totally portable, unbend able and breakable. I will add a ribbon to hang it on the wall.
It took me about and hour and 10 minutes to complete, including popping out to the nearest Quick shop for the sweets.

17 comments:

  1. I wonder if I could pull this off tonight :-p

    I want to make them each one but keep leaving it to the last minute but I LOVE this idea cos you can do it every year!

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  2. Awesome!! I love the idea...I will have to hurry if I want to do one for the kids...LIKE TONIGHT!!!

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  3. Argh! It's a quarter to 1 in the morning and you've just reminded me that I haven't found the Advent calendar yet! Now where did I put the wretched thing?

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  4. I like this...so unique! Your children are going to love it.

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  5. I absolutely love this and am so going to do it!
    Thank you for sharing.
    x

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  6. Look at YOU! Wow - love the craftiness :)

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  7. What a clever idea!! I bought one for this year and the kids have eaten ALL the choccies already - will save it for next year now. Not going to bother to do it this year.

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  8. What a great idea. I love it!!

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  9. U are so clever. Am sure you kidlets are going to love this. Specially coz it came from your heart. Well done xxx

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  10. fantastic idea!!! if I didn't already have an advent calendar, I'd totally do this!!

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  11. That is such a brilliant idea, and SO much easier than all the effort I went to to make Joshua's calendar. I also love that it is portable, a definite win! Well done!!

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  12. Dear Cat,

    I’ve been following your blog and have noticed you write about raising your family and growing as a person. I found this blog extremely helpful for a gift. I then found myself reading the rest of your extremely creative blogs as well.

    The reason I'm leaving you a comment is that I'm the intern for StageofLife.com, and I am looking for bloggers who might be interested in guest writing on our site. Could we feature you? We work with talented writers and bloggers to build a network of stories, crossing all stages of life, that will help make the world a better place, and I think our readers would gain a lot from your life perspective.

    Thank you in advance for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you if you are interested. My email is megan.colyer@stageoflife.com. Thanks!

    Megan

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