Most would call this an advent calendar. And most would start on Dec 1. But I am a little late this year and if Ginger wouldn’t have found her thrift store Christmas sweater in the laundry basket, which was intended for one of the days surprises…..I most certainly would have made this the 20 days until Christmas garland or even the 10 days. You get the idea—there is still time to make this!!!
I found the idea for this at Maya*Made. Her’s is much more neat, I am guessing she didn’t have little elves helping her! Also I am borrowing her idea for time tickets! Love it! I am planning to give several of these “dates” to my kids as Christmas presents also.
You will need a paper tube for each day. If you are using paper towel tubes you can cut them in half.
Cut 4 slits around the bottom of each tube and fold them up and tape them shut to form a bottom on each tube.
Next have your helper cut a decorative edge around the top.
Then number them and use a hole punch to punch 2 holes on either side of the tubes (so the number is in the middle).
I made a mistake and only punched one hole and they didn’t hang as nicely.
I used a hot glue gun to decorate these with pieces of silver rope garland, beads, jingle bells, and flat glass star pieces.
My next mistake was that at this point I stuffed them with shredded paper-I suggest waiting until after you string them if you plan to use any “fluff” in them!
Then I strung a long piece of yarn through the holes (be sure to put them in numerical order) and secured them to our mantel.
I tried to keep the cost down and bought a few things from the thrift store-a Christmas sweater and T-shirt, PJ pants, a game to share. I also bought some candy and gum. And of course, the time tickets!
Now, I decided to wait until each night after the kids are in bed to stuff these tubes or else they may all get opened in one day!!! If the surprise doesn’t fit I will either wrap it or leave clues to where it may be found. It was reassuring to me to see so many days left until the actual holiday. I haven’t even started my shopping!!!
that is so fun. i wish i was your kid.
That is so cute! I will have to keep this in mind for next year. Thanks for a fun idea.
Wow, this is a fantastic tradition.
I need an energy transfusion.