My son was bugging me for ages to get one of those advent calendars which has a chocolate behind each window for every day. He had one last year, however, one morning I awoke to find the whole thing completely empty on his bedroom floor! So this year, I refused to buy him one, but because I really like the idea of the advent calendar, I decided to come up with something original and handmade.
I found plenty of inspiration on the net here, here,here, and here (to name a few) and decided to use up what I already had in the cupboard, cupcake wrappers!
Before my son left for school, I got him to help me with writing the numbers 1-24 on some white dot stickers, and then told him I was going to make a surprise for him and his sister.
I filled the cupcake wrappers with tiny christmas ornaments, chocolate money (some), jokes, riddles, activity ideas, and nice messages. Then closed them up with some sticky tape, and pegged them up to some festive string.
It was so priceless to see the looks on my kids faces when they walked in to find all 24 pretty packages hanging up.
We're enjoying the morning ritual of opening up a surprise package each day. We're also enjoying learning more about the true meaning of Christmas, and how a handmade gift can bring so much joy!
P.S. Despite turning the house upside down looking for my camera, it still has not been found. I'm just hoping that it will turn up when I'm looking for something else, which is how things usually work around here. Nevertheless, I shall keep on blogging away with the aid of my camera phone, despite the dodgy photos..for now!
For more creative happenings go here.
xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.
P.S. Despite turning the house upside down looking for my camera, it still has not been found. I'm just hoping that it will turn up when I'm looking for something else, which is how things usually work around here. Nevertheless, I shall keep on blogging away with the aid of my camera phone, despite the dodgy photos..for now!
For more creative happenings go here.
xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.
6 comments:
This is such a cool idea Sam, I cant wait til the girls get older and I can do stuff like this, some much good stuff flying around to do!
What a great idea! I love the kid-written numbers the best. :)
That is one AWESOME advent Sam :)
x
Great idea and so easy! Bet their expression was priceless:) Cyndy
Hi Sam, me again. :) I couldn't see a way to reply to your question on my blog directly--I'm in the US so I'm not sure if the buying options are the same. I've found carving blocks at large chain craft stores, art supply stores, and online. I'd imagine if there's no place locally there's got to be someone online who sells them in Australia, but I have no idea who. I've used Speedball Speedy Carve and Speedy Cut--you want something soft but not crumbly (Speedy Cut is way more crumbly). There are other brand options though, I just haven't tried them. I hope that helps a little, anyway! Stamp carving is really fun.
Thanks Amy for the advice, I will try some local craft suppliers first and go from there. :)
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