In the past we've purchased the chocolate advent calendars from the grocery store. This year when I saw Homemade by Jill's post on making an advent I was gung ho to make one myself. Somehow I was side tracked, probably by laundry, and didn't get it done. Then I saw this post on Poppytalk featuring this tutorial. The wheels in my head started turning. I whipped up this little advent garland in an afternoon.
This is really easy to make and can be executed lots of different ways.
Supplies:
1. A bunch of scrap paper. I used some origami paper
Mike brought back from Japan like 5 years ago.
2. Glue or some kind of adhesive.
3. Stapler with staples.
4. Scissors and/or paper trimmer.
5. 24 little gift tags.
I started by trimming my paper down to different sized squares and rectangles. The biggest were four by four inches. My smallest were three by three inches. These squares and rectangles are the presents. You will need 24. With the left over paper, I cut half inch strips. Next, I glued the strips of paper on to the boxes to look like ribbon on a present.
Each present got it's very own bow. This is where you can be creative. I folded two strips of paper to resemble some kind of bow, then stapled it to the top of the present. I then tied on a little gift tag to each of the 24 presents.
I used my trusty marker to label each gift tag from 1 to 24.
With some yarn and paper clips, I hung our presents on the mirror in our front room.
Behind each present is a clue or riddle for my kids. The riddle tells them what their treat for the day is.
I'm still working on this part, but I have a few to get me through this week.
I will share some with you, if you remember I am not a poet and these are for my kids!...
Dec. 1 "We start the month fresh and new. Here's a kiss from me to you!"
treat: Hershey kisses
Dec. 2 "Have a holly jolly lolly"
treat: a lollipop
Dec. 3 "Don't waste your fingers as nose pickers. Why don't you
use them to lift up some stickers?"
treat: stickers
You get the idea. I think I'm going to hang some christmas lights on
the mirror too. That'll spruce it way up. Visit Skip to my lou for 10 other advent ideas.
