I love the idea of the advent and in past years we've done a few different versions from Playmobil (still love it) to old-fashioned German advents. This year I decided to make our own.
I started by making 24 boxes. Small boxes from the pantry (i.e. Jello pudding, tea boxes, butter boxes, etc.) make excellent templates. Just unfold them, laying them flat, and trace onto card stock. After cutting them out and scoring, I folded them into the new blank advent boxes secured with glue.
For patterns, the kids contributed drawings of snowmen and trees and I also used illustrations and print taken from old Christmas books. I didn't let the dimensions of the box limit the size of the design, most extend past the box edges.
I filled the decorated boxes with little treasures such as shells, a nutcracker to paint, mini birds' nests, tiny wood ornaments, etc.
I placed them on the wall, held in place with removable mounting squares.
This can be a very versatile project and I'm already thinking of some different ideas for next year. I'll start planning earlier in the season though, it took me longer than expected, but I'm really pleased with the results and it was fun, too!
what a fantastic advent calendar - i love it! :^D)
Posted by: Lori | December 11, 2008 at 10:13 PM
This is absolutely brilliant. I will definitely do this next year. Thanks for posting it!
Posted by: TracieClaiborne | December 01, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Great idea!Really cool, my kids will love to do it.
Have a nice day.
Posted by: Fernanda | November 27, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Great idea!Really cool, my kids will love to do it.
Have a nice day.
Posted by: Fernanda | November 27, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Beautiful! I think I'll do this next year.
Posted by: Sheila at Dodging Raindrops | November 26, 2008 at 09:20 AM
That is an incredible idea! Thank you for sharing the instructions!
Posted by: Michele B | November 26, 2008 at 06:21 AM
I love your ideas! Thank you for the gift of inspiration on this New Year's Day! I found my way here through Bella Dia's blog. I hope you have a moment to visit me at mine.http://spiralmontessorimama.blogspot.com/ I also appreciate your book lists. And your Egyptian birthday party! What a wonderful blog!
In PEACE
Montessori Mama aka Jennifer :)
Posted by: Jennifer | January 01, 2008 at 05:28 AM
I love the idea!
Posted by: Kim | December 20, 2007 at 07:08 AM
It's really wonderful. I like how different they all are.
Posted by: michelle | December 19, 2007 at 12:58 AM
These are so bright and beautiful, Think I will be doing this next year ~ a great way to involve the kids! Gx
Posted by: gina | December 08, 2007 at 06:22 PM
gorgeous, thank you. where did you find the unpainted nutcracker?
Posted by: jeannette | December 07, 2007 at 05:59 AM
What a fabulous idea! It is a wonderful decoration as well as serving its purpose. ;-)
Posted by: Amber | December 05, 2007 at 10:49 PM
What a great idea. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: jen b | December 05, 2007 at 02:46 PM
What a wonderful idea!
Posted by: Beak | December 04, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Gorgeous! Such luminous colours. I love this idea. I see you have 4 kids - how do you differentiate who gets which item in each box?
I was just leafing through my own Golden Special Christmas Annual For Boys & Girls - notice that you had something similar! All I need now is a scanner so I don't have to cut them up!
cheers / sheila
Posted by: Sheila | December 03, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Wow, those are so cute!
Everybody's got such fun stuff up lately. I guess I've got to get crafting.
Posted by: Wendy | December 03, 2007 at 02:04 PM
and it turned out so great too!! i love that you got your kids involved in the process of making it...
Posted by: kristin | December 03, 2007 at 01:21 PM
What a wonderful idea! Too late for this year, but we could start planning now (not to mention the fact that I could start buying treats on sale now, or after Christmas, for next year!).
Posted by: Becky | December 03, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Wow! What a great idea; those are so amazing.
Lucky, lucky kids...
Posted by: kate | December 03, 2007 at 10:04 AM
What a great presentation!
Posted by: Denise | December 02, 2007 at 11:02 PM