DIY: Paper bag Advent calendar

I have wanted to make an advent calendar for the girls for the past few years, but I never got to it.  This year, I was determined that in spite of Ava's birthday coming right on the heels of Thanksgiving, I was not going to miss out on another year.  So...yes...I am one of those people who have started decorating for Christmas before we have even enjoyed Thanksgiving- something I said I would never do.  I have to say though...I am pretty excited about how it turned out.  And it was super easy too!

You will need-

2 different sizes of paper bags

clothepins

washi tape (various sizes and patterns)

black sharpie

2 sets of number stencils (in different fonts)

6 small nails

I found these two sets of numbers, printed them on thick card stock, cut them out, and used them as my stencils.  I used the first set on the smaller paper bags, and the second set on the larger paper bags.  

Once, I traced the numbers on each bag, I used the washi tape to decorate each one.  I found many different washi tape designs at Michael's, and they were half off too.

I did not want all the bags to be stuffed with candy, so I raided all the one dollar bins at Target, Wal-Mart, Michaels, etc. and found some amazing stuff- pencils, holiday crafts, ornaments, hand warmers, and the list goes on.

After stuffing each bag, I took the canvas ribbon, and created three swags above my mantle, each 12" inches apart.  I knotted the ribbon, and nailed it to the wall under the knot, so the nail was hidden. 

I then took my trusty clothespins and...

... hung the bags.  Eight bags on the first row, nine on the second and eight more on the third row. 

I really love the way it turned out.  And I have every intention of reusing them from year to year.

As each day goes by, I will let the girls get down one bag, and then we will fold it flat, and hang it back up.  That way, the calendar can be a focal point throughout the Christmas season. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving first : ) and a very Merry Christmas after that!