I've wanted to make an advent calendar every year since Imani was little.
I finally made one.
Imani is almost twelve.
I mean, they have a ton of advent calendars at Target and TJ Maxx and I've come close to purchasing one on several occasions.
But I didn't want to fill the calendar with a bunch of presents . . . I think Christmas focuses too much on material objects already.
And I didn't want to fill it with candy.
We still have Halloween Candy left over . . . and NOT because nobody's eating it . . but because Imani is the fastest trick or treater I've ever seen.
I suppose I could fill it with toiletries from Rite Aid, since the Coupon Cowboy has quite a collection in my basement, but I didn't think that would be very fun for Imani.
Oh and I'm cheap "frugal." I didn't want to spend $30 on an Advent calendar.
So I did some research online and found a lot of really great ideas of what to put inside the advent calendar so it wouldn't be all about gifts. There are many great sites that list advent "activities" in lieu of gifts.
And remember that jewelry I found at Hub's Place? It made its way into my advent calendar too. I'll share more on that (along with the activities) later.
In the meantime, do you like my calendar?
I knew I wanted to incorporate my ladder. We have two ladders in our house that I use simply for decorating. I love them. If I could put a ladder in every room and not have people think I was crazy, I would do it. I once wrote about ways to decorate with ladders here. Now we could add the advent calendar to that list!
Anyway, this advent calendar was pretty simple to make, and it only cost me $2.
I found little white boxes in the wedding section of the dollar store. You get 12 in a package for $1, so I picked up two.
Then I nicely asked Jason if he'd write all of the numbers on the boxes . . . since I've told you a million times I'm really sloppy and he's a perfectionist.
I had to nag him a bunch but he finally granted my wish . . . he's never failed me.
Then, I filled the boxes with the activities and tied each box to my ladder with red and white baker's twine that I had left over from my Christmas cards.
That's it. I'm hoping those little boxes hold up for many years so we can carry this tradition well into Noah's childhood without having to re-create the calendar.
What about you? Do you have an advent calendar? Did you make it and if so, how? What do you put in it? I'd love to hear.
Stephenie,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most creative {and frugal} advent calendars I've seen! I can't wait to see what's in the boxes.
It's a tradition in our home that on Thanksgiving each child gets an advent calendar from Belgium filled with (what else?) chocolate.
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
Explore the best tiles at Lonix Ceramic and transform your space today.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to selecting the best tile for your space, it’s important to choose a brand that blends quality, design, and durability. Lonix Ceramic is a name trusted globally for offering the best tile collections in ceramic, porcelain, and vitrified formats. Based in Morbi, the ceramic capital of India, Lonix has earned a reputation for delivering the best tile options for both residential and commercial use.
From glossy finishes to matte textures, every product reflects innovation and craftsmanship. Whether you're revamping a living room, kitchen, office, or outdoor area, Lonix provides the best tile solutions tailored to your needs.
Why choose Lonix Ceramic?
✅ Consistent innovation in tile manufacturing
✅ Wide variety of designs and sizes
✅ Long-lasting strength with visual appeal
✅ Exported globally, trusted locally
If you're searching for the best tile that combines design elegance with practical performance, Lonix is your go-to choice. Explore the full range of the best tile collections today at 👉 Lonix Ceramic.