Just as soon as our clocks fall back, I like to spring forward and soak up every single merry second of the holiday season. It's just so much easier than starring bleakly at a cold, damp, darkened, leafless streetscape at 5pm dreaming of April.
In our family, once the Halloween candy is still freshly wedged into tiny molars, the kids are already addressing envelopes to the North Pole and dotting the "i"s on their wish-list of Apple products. As parents, we know that December means answering the thrice daily question, "how many more days until Christmas????" A Christmas calendar makes the countdown (or count-up) fun and making your own reusable calendar can be a really nice way to kick off a new tradition as well as usher in the festive season.
With budgets in mind (you won't need a credit card for these purchases!), I've come up with two easy (I promise), fast (I promise) Christmas calendars using supplies that cost less than $30 total- one is focused on receiving and the other on giving. In our house, we'll use both this year.
Receiving: The Jute bag/Loot bag Christmas calendar (wall calendar)
This wall-hung calendar has a very earthy, organic feel and allows you to stash all sorts of fun little treats, gifts, gift-cards and notes in all 24 pockets.
Supplies needed:
24 small jute bags from Dollarama (2 for $1) or Craft store (likely more $)
3 x 3' branches (I used birch logs from the cottage, but you can use any 1/2" - 1" log/branch
Roll of twine (Dollarama $1)
24 Chalkboard stickers (Dollarma, $1/pack of 10)
Chalkboard marker (Craft store)
How to:
Place a chalkboard sticker on each bag and number them 1 to 24.
Weave a 4' length of twine through the handle on each of bag 8 bags and secure ends to first branch/log.
Repeat steps with next 8 bags and hang second branch/log from first log.
Repeat steps with final 8 bags and hang third branch/log from second log.
Tie a small twine loop in centre of first log (for hanging).
Decorate or embellish with Xmas balls, bells or bows to suit your taste/decor.
Giving: The Little Box of Christmas Kindness (table-top calendar)
This table top centrepiece does double duty as a reminder of what the holiday season is really all about: giving! Numbered envelopes reveal a daily to-do that focuses on family, friends, fun and sharing. You fill in the cards to suit your life so it is totally personalized and completely re-useable for years to come!
Supplies needed:
1 festive box from Dollarama
24 x blank cards and envelopes
Pen or metallic marker
Household Xmas decorations to suit your tastes.
How to:
Number envelopes 1 to 24 (I used a stamp and ink pad to decorate mine)
Fill in cards with fun ideas like, "Shovel a neighbours driveway", "Make your brother's bed", "Bake cookies for a friend", "Buy someone a coffee", etc...
Fill box with cards and envelopes and place on a decorative tray.
Arrange and style to suit your tastes.
If you're still a sucker for store-bought, ready-made, treat-filled calendars, tune into my Advent Calendar segment on CTV's Canada AM, Friday November 20th @ 8:40am for more great ideas!
Click here for BIY (Buy-It-Yourself) and DYI ideas!!!
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