Got anxious little ones who just can’t wait for Santa? Make it feel like Christmas every morning with any of these 5 advent calendar ideas that are sure to make your home a beautiful sight.
1. Fireplace Garland
Nix the stockings this year and fashion a homemade garland for your mantlepiece. To make this decoration, just gather some ribbon, mini clothespins and small drawstring pouches in which you can throw in Hershey’s Kisses, York Peppermint Patties and other fun-sized treats.
If you’re looking to flex your DIY skills, you can sew the hanging pouches with some felt cloth and create seasonally symbolic shapes—think Santa’s gift sack, mittens, hot cocoa mugs and elf caps.
2. Presents Under the Tree
For this one, we recommend throwing in a miniature cypress to round out the look. Set this small tree in a corner of your family room, and underneath, scatter small, wrapped boxes filled with sticker sheets, Silly Putty, travel games, Mad Libs, and more.
Use eclectic wrapping paper with eye-catching patterns (younger children seem to enjoy ones that feature their favorite cartoon characters). And instead of tacking on one of those self-adhesive bows and calling it a day, we suggest tying up your packages with baker’s twine—you know, the pretty kind that has multiple colors twisted together.
3. Tree Ornaments
Make your way to the gift card section of any retailer—no, we wouldn’t resort to gift cards for the in-laws just yet—and pick up some festive gift card pillow boxes and sleeves. The three-dimensional pillow boxes could fit an assortment of palm-sized goodies, like chocolate coins and dollar bills. And to instill the spirit of the season, for a few of these containers, stuff slips of paper that list one act of kindness to carry out for that day, such as delivering canned goods to a food bank and making cards for elderly residents of a nearby nursing home.
For makeshift tree ornaments, just add a looped piece of string to each of the boxes so that they can hang upon the boughs. Don’t forget to label your ornaments to denote each calendar day!
4. Hanging Gift Bags
Take your advent calendar to new heights by hanging this easy-to-build wall ornament in your home. Suspend a decorative wood branch with fortified twine tied on both ends, and create a tier with a second branch by using two pieces of the rope. For the pièce de résistance, across each branch, arrange some fetching gift bags with the day of the month emblazoned on the front.
Sweeten the deal by incorporating some tabletop games, playing card sets and holiday movie DVDs to enjoy that night as a family.
5. Brown Paper Packages
Perfect for country chic homes, a basket of paper parcels is sure to add a timeless touch to your entryway table. It’s as easy as taking a medium-sized woven basket and filling it with small gifts wrapped in brown kraft paper—make it a true centerpiece by coiling some string lights around your bundle. And instead of marking each gift with the numbered date, amp up the excitement by having your child pick out a package at random!
In addition to the expected treats and trinkets, we think that throwing in some festive family activities guarantees a jolly good time. From baking cookies, building a gingerbread house, going caroling and making wreaths, the possibilities are vast.
Let us help make your days merry and bright this holiday season! For all of your furniture and holiday décor needs, swing by our store today.