Advent Calendar

16011996

we have a ponden mill near us, but i never been in it, is it good? (apart from xmas stuff?)

glittergemsie

Find an old tree branch (however big you like) make sure it has lots of twigs on.

Spray it silver, put some glue on in random places and sprinkle with glitter.

Put it into some of the oasis stuff that you can buy from florists then cover a plant pot in wrapping paper. Put some stones in the bottom of the pot then jam in the oasis and branch so they are secure.

Hang homemade boxes (made from old Christmas Cards - I have a cute pyramid pattern if anyone would like?) filled with sweets/gifts etc from the branches. Make sure they are all numbered and wahey a very funky advent calender.

The boxes also double up as Christmas tree decorations, and the pyramid ones i've been making fit a truffle very nicely - so you can make them posh or cheap whichever you like.

16011996

ooh, yes please to the pyramid pattern.

glittergemsie

IM me your email address and I'll send it to you - it's a bit too big to post here (it's A4)

pennyforthem

Nice to hear I am not the only one who does this. I have been making mine out of cardboard boxes ( yes I have lots of time) but was going to look out for nice cloth ones in the sale this year!

Has anyone thought about crakers yet? I brought the Tescos value ones 6 for 97p and you can fill them with your own extra little gift ! Works out so much cheaper and more personal!

aliwatts

:
Hi,
I have just bought a lovely cloth advent calender from B&Q, cant remember whether it was 7.99 or 8.99 but is lovely, need to get some sweets and stuff to fill it, my kids love that kind of thing. We have the Avon chimney aswell, have 2 kids and 1 takes out the odd dates and 1 takes out the even dates. If I had more children I'm sure they would argue !!! We have a shop called Dunelm Mill Shop here aswell where I have just seen some reduced cloth calenders for 1.99 and 2.99 which ere quite nice aswell, not show if that shop is nationwide ??
Good luck hunting.

By the way I use this site loads but alwways to forget to login, luv it. Had loads of great tips and sure will get loads more. Have recommended it to all my friends/family. Thanks Martin and everyone else who has input.

franky

the homemade/filled calendars always seem so much more personal

carrottopsuk

You could scan the photo and print it out on Magnetic paper then cut out the jigsaw shapes, then you can keep your photo on the fridge all year.

(Thanks for the magnetic paper link 160, I finally ordered some and it arrived yesterday - perfect for my homemade fridge poetry)

Wow! great idea!

16011996

got mine out this morning kids nearly wet themselves, but they have to wait till Wed.

MATH

Stuffed my re-usable Advent Canlendar with choccy coins this morning and hung it with a big notice on it saying that if anyone is found eating the chocs before Dec 1st the TV will be set to the History Channel and the remote will be hidden! ;D