Wednesday, November 28, 2007

A Tiny Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

The Winter BazaarWelcome to another Winter Bazaar for ideas on making the holidays more festive or fun--games, recipes, activities, tips, techniques, traditions, whatever works for you. For past editions click the "crafts" link label at the bottom of this post.

Christmas Advent CalendarThis is a tiny Christmas tree advent calender with 24 tiny gifts, each containing an ornament that gets placed on the tree for every day leading up to Christmas.

You'll need:
A tiny Christmas tree
Tiny garlands, tiny candy canes, etc.
24 tiny ornaments
24 greeting cards
press-on numbers
24 tiny bows

I got my tree at Michael's and it's nice in that the wire limbs can easily be bent back into place each year when it comes out of storage. I decorated it by sewing mini strands of garland, candy canes and tiny plastic bulbs in place on the branches--these never come off. Though "never" is relatively optimistic. Over the years the kids have "accidentally" stripped the decorations off the branches as they love that poor tree to death.

I found 24 different ornaments, some relating to Christmas scenes like tiny nativities and angels and such, then made 24 tiny boxes using the old greeting cards (or cardstock). To see the tutorial on how to make them go to this post of mine here: Tiny Gift Boxes. Though it's not necessary you can also put a square of quilt batting in the bottom of each box to keep the ornaments from rattling around and to give it that final touch.

Number each box 1-24 with the press on letters, top each with a bow, put one tiny ornament in every box and place each beneath the tree. I have a tiny tree skirt I made that matches our big one but you could easily use a pretty doily.

Let the countdown begin!



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32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't believe I'm first this week! Love the whole advent calender idea...it helps my kids visualize how many LONG days until Christmas. This would help make the wait easier!!

An Ordinary Mom said...

I love advent calendars! Too bad we are never around for the full holiday effect :) !!

Anonymous said...

what a great idea!! Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Alexandra said...

Cute idea! Although I've been posting other people's links for great holiday ideas, I've not made the time to made anything this year. I'll have to get cracking! I'm enjoying all the ideas though.

Lady Why said...

That is the cutest idea!! And, I love the tiny box tutorial. Thank you!!

Mrs. O said...

I like this better than the eat a chocolate everyday kind. My kids would be all over this.

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! I submitted a Christmas countdown idea too. :) They're so much fun for the kids!

Maude Lynn said...

That is so cute! My daughter would adore something like this. I'll give it a try!

Heffalump said...

I did an advent entry too. I really wanted to do a craft that we did last night as a family, but since an advent needs to start at the beginning of December, I decided the craft should wait until next week.

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Now that is a fabulous idea! Too bad I already bought an Advent calendar for my son. Will have to save this idea for next year :)

my4kids said...

That is such a great idea! I've been looking for an advent calander idea this year. I might check into this one!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is too precious! I SO could not be bothered, but if you'd like to make one for me, feel free :) What a sweet idea, and i know someone who actually would enjoy making this...I'll let you know how she gets on.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Great advent calendar idea. We just have the wall magnet this year where you open the windows, but hope to be more creative in years to come.

Real Life Sarah said...

This is great! You could also put an Advent Scripture verse in the boxes if you're religious.

Janet said...

This is a great idea. We already have the tiny trees in the kids rooms. They stay up year-round, used as nightlights. When I was 10 I made my 3-year-old sister an Advent calendar. I had a square of blue felt, and I put Santa's sleigh on it (only one reindeer). I used ball-headed sewing straight pins to attach 24 felt toys, about 1-inch each, across the sky under the sleigh. I glued on some gold rick rack and sewed a rick rack hanging cord on the top. She still uses it 36 years later. I have ideas for Advent Calendars for my 2, but this year they're opening paper windows hanging on the refrigerator (sigh).

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to reading all these great ideas.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely fantastic. The last frontier huh . . . ?

Cascia Talbert said...

Great Blog! I alaso like your advent calender idea.

Phyllis Sommer said...

love the little boxes. i think the best part of any holiday is the anticipation -- that is why advent has always fascinated me. when i was little i was definitely jealous of those cute little doors that opened up to reveal chocolate each day.

tracy m said...

What an awesome idea, Michelle- I have one of those trees from Michaels, and I think I'm going to do the same thing!

Anonymous said...

Question - do you get new ornaments every year or rewrap? I love this idea instead of the candy advent calendars I use.

Montserrat said...

I enjoy seeing all the different advent calendar ideas. They are a fun tradition at our house too.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Now that's a really awesome idea!

Amy W said...

Love your idea!

I am getting way to many ideas from this..

Kerith Collins said...

that is a cool advent calendar idea...my kids are going to love it

Pieces said...

Wow, that is such an adorable advent calendar! I don't have the will to do it this year--maybe I'll work on it for next year.

Ice Cream said...

I'm no good at advents. We always seem to forget for a few days and then do a lot of them at one time. This does remind me about me little tree. I still have the first tree I ever used after leaving home. It was a small one, just like you have pictured, that my mom sent me in a care package. The kids love decorating it and hearing the stories that go along with it.

Unknown said...

Great idea!!

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Laane on the World

Have a great day!

Simply Stork said...

I love this idea...

~simply~

Shawn said...

I love this idea ... we're doing holiday books (children's books for now) as an advent. They will be wrapped. But, putting them under the tree is a great idea! Perhaps I can couple each book with an ornament or two. Great idea!! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a grand idea!!!!!

Jen @ JenuineJen said...

Michelle,

That is a great idea. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Jen @ JenuineJen (http://jenuinejen.wordpress.com)