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!
