Take-Out Box Christmas Advent Calendar
From childhood, I have always loved a Christmas advent calendar. I remember my mother getting the boxed calendars with the little punch-out doors. I saw one at Michael’s yesterday. It brought back fond memories. I always loved opening the little door to find the chocolate surprise!
When my children were little, we had a beautiful fabric advent calendar that was Santa’s Workshop. There were little toys for each day of December. Each day a toy would be added to Santa’s Workshop, so that on December 25th, the workshop was full. My kids loved it! More often than not, they would play with it instead of actually using it as a calendar! Unfortunately, some of the toys were lost in the process.
This year I decided to make a new one! Does it matter that my oldest is 20 years old and away at college? Nah! Everyone loves an advent calendar!
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I found these great red glitter mini take-out boxes at Pier 1. They came in packs of 6 for $5.95. I love the red ribbon.
The last several years, my Christmas decorations have centered around Santa’s Belt. I recently made a Santa’s Belt mason jar, to hold utensils for my Christmas parties, so naturally Santa’s Belt came to mind with my advent calendar. This is a Christmas swag that I made using Santa’s Belt ornaments.
I picked up some silver and black foam sheets that have sticky backs to create the belts for my boxes.
I used the silver to cut out the buckles and the black for the belts. On the back of the sheets, I measured and drew the buckles and belts and then I used an exacto knife to cut them out. In the middle of the buckle I placed the numbers for each day of December. I printed the numbers out from Microsoft Word.
I did add a little hot glue on the buckles to secure them. When I added the paper, the area of “sticky” material was smaller and made it harder for them to stay on the boxes.
They turned out so cute!
Since the boxes came in packs of 6, I purchased 4 packs which gave me enough for 24 days.
I purchased one larger box for December 25th. Since I have four wonderful kids, they will each get to open six small boxes and on Christmas Day, there will be four items in the large box, one for each child.
I decided to create a display with the boxes. I used my dessert stands from Anchor. I placed the 25th on the top and went down from there.
I use red and black check ribbon to coordinate with my Santa’s Belt decorations. I added a ribbon to my two topiaries and the large box.
I’m so excited for December 1st! I am totally in love with this new advent calendar!
I chose to create a display on my sideboard, but I also think you could use these boxes on a tree or on garland strung across the mantel. You could also create a cute wreath with them.
Each box will be filled with small things like lip gloss for my daughter, guitar picks for my son, candy and chocolates, etc. Since some of the items will be child specific, I will create a schedule, so each child opens the box designed for them.
This wasn’t hard to make. I created the boxes in a few hours. Now I just need to fill them!
Yesterday my daughter came into the living room and I said, “Look at our new advent calendar.” The next thing I heard was, “There’s nothing in them!”
I can’t anything pass them!
Does your family use an advent calendar? How do you count down to Christmas?
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These are adorable – I love them! I’ve never been a huge fan of cheap little advent calendars with the chocolate inside (I know, call me crazy!) but this I could totally do!
Thanks Leah! Now I just have to find prizes to fill them! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
You’re welcome! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
OMG, these are just adorable!
Thank you Kathleen! I thought they turned out adorable! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Leslie
Absolutely awesome! They look great. Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent!! I appreciate it so much!
Thanks Kathy! I thought they turned out cute!
Toooo cute! Makes for such a pretty display! Thanks for sharing this at the party this week Leslie. I’m also featuring it on my Facebook page
Thank you Kathe! You made my day! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I love it! What a great idea
Thanks Jessie! I think it really turned out great!
Such a fabulous idea! I’m itching to make an advent calendar, but my kids will have nothing to do with it! They only know of one advent calendar (which, honestly, is no longer my style) and are taking dibs on who will get it when “I’m gone” …
Yours is amazing! I’m digging the Santa belt theme too …
Linda
P.S. Clearly you’ve moved on to xmas, but have a fabulous Thanksgiving celebration!
Thanks so much Linda! I just stopped by your blog and fell in love with your chalkboard chargers! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Leslie
Oh wow, super cute! I love the little belts and buckles as the numbers!
Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Great project !
I would love you to come and share it at my Craft, Create & Inspire Linky party
http://polkadotpretties.com/2012/11/craft-create-inspire-linky-party-5/
Hope to see you there:)
Claire@ Polkadot pretties x
Thank you Claire! I will definitely share it at your party! I love it. Have a great weekend!
Leslie
Hi Leslie – once again you’ve created something terrific and different. I love this idea! You’re being featured on the All Star Block Party this week. Head on over to grab your button
Thank you Heather! You’ve made my day! Love the All Star block Party!
Leslie
I love these boxes; so cute! You are a featured favorite this week on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! Thanks again for sharing; we love having you join us each week! See you soon!
Mackenzie
Thank you Mackenzie! You’ve made my day! I’m so honored to be featured!
Leslie
Thank you for sharing at Craft, Create & Inspire last weekend !
Your project is featured this week
Looking forward to seeing what you have been working on this week ..
Claire @ Polkadot Pretties x
Thank you so much! I woke up to a wonderful surprise! My day has started great!
That is totally cute! That’s so creative and easy to use the sticky foam sheets for the belts. I love it!
Elizabeth @ Lizzi’s Creations recently posted…Dollar Store Days Until Christmas
Thanks Elizabeth! I love your Red charger idea for a Countdown to Christmas! Happy Holidays!