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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

DIY-Last minute advent calendar. {FREE printable}

It's not too late to pull off a cute, homemade advent calendar this year.  I know it starts tomorrow, but it can be done.

I don't believe we did this growing up.....and I had wanted to start the tradition of advent calendars last year, but with starting up the new business- there wasn't much time for anything else.  ;)

But this year- it was at the top of my priority list.  And although it was at the top....... there was still little time to do it.  Luckily- I spent some time a few weeks ago making the numbers for whatever advent calendar I would end up making.  There are so many cute ideas out there....and while I thought I'd find a calendar to use year after year, I decided one a homemade one for this year that might not be used again.  It is cheap.  And it is easy.  (And I kind of think it will be fun to do different ones each year.  We'll see how I feel about it next year....





There are so many neat ideas out there, and I had almost decided on different idea that above, but when I couldn't find what I was looking for....these little wedding party favor boxes fell in my lap.  I got them at Hobby Lobby- and they were 50% off....so I spent a total of $8.00 on all of them.  I guess kind of high for paper boxes, but not bad in my mind that I spent a little less than $11.00 including ribbon and all.

If I do it again- I'll just use the white paper favor bags you can get at Hobby Lobby for $1.99!


These black ribbons came with the boxes.....


....and I wanted to make it more Christmas-y....so I used the sticker labels that came with the boxes....




 .....to close off the ends of my own Christmas ribbon....




And glued the numbers on the front of the boxes with a glue stick!







I like that it is hanging below our bar because I wanted the girls to be able to touch it themselves.


Parker has already practiced her counting.....









If you want to print these numbers out yourself, just click on the links below.  The circles are about 2 inches in diameter.  I used a 1 7/8 inch circle punch but I think you could easily use a 1.5 inch punch or just cut them out yourself.

These numbers could easily be used on any kind of advent  calendar you can think of.  Glue or tape to paper bags.....you don't even have to hang up the bags, but place in a bowl or basket.  Doing this just made me realize I don't have to make everything so complicated!  And I like it just the same.  ;)

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And another thing to mention......all of our boxes are still empty.  Ha!  I am still figuring everything out.  I had planned to have it all done, but just doing what I can when I can.  Will hopefully fill the first few boxes tonight!  ;)




advent #1-12






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Somewhat SimpleGussy

5 comments:

Kristin said...

SWEET!! I think I will be copying you! i have been searching for something easy to do! I have been wanting to do this!

Viv said...

great idea! You are so talented dear one.

Simply.Lovely.Things said...

So beautiful and such a great idea!

New follower from Gussy :)

Mom is the Only Girl said...

You placed this on the perfect blog hop! So simple, yet practical and pretty to boot!

Melissa French - The More With Less Mom said...

Thank you for posting this, it is an easy way to use what you have on hand to make a frugal Christmas countdown.

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