I'd like to interrupt my regularly scheduled blogging and introduce you to my Christmas crafty side!! Now before you click the "X" at the top of the browser and shut me down, let me tell you that my "craftiness" is not Martha Stewart's "craftiness". The difference being that my crafts could easily be produced by a drunken chimpanzee with no thumbs...or fingers. Trust me- I only do easy. So read on...
View my segment from Canada AM!
ADVENT CALENDARS: 25 more reasons to love Christmas!!!
Remember what it was like to be a kid with an Advent calendar? It was the ultimate psychological test for delayed gratification. And I always....failed. As soon as Mom turned her back I'd MacGyver open those little perforated windows and lick every single cheap rubbery chocolate in that thing...twice. Then I'd carefully reposition each perforation to make it look like it was sealed shut. I did this daily...twice daily...until only miniature brownish nubs were left. My little brother, who had the ultimate in kiddie self-control, to this day, believes that Advent calendars contain mouse-poop sized chocolate peas (heeheehee....sucker).
Now that I'm grown-up and sooooo much more mature (pronounced ma-too-re), with kiddies of my own, it's time to expand upon the same ol' chocolate window thingie and get creative. Here's what I featured today on CTV's Canada AM, along with some pics and links so that you and yours can enjoy the excitement of counting the days until the big guy visits with gifts. Most are bought, some are made, all are incredibly creative and F-U-N!!
Enjoy the merriment!! Oh- and if you make my crafts, let me know how simple and easy it really was!!
LAURA SECORD
Advent Calendar
$9.95
KINDER
Advent Calendar
http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/kinder-advent-calendar/6000189129522
http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/kinder-advent-calendar/6000189129522
$12
HALLMARK
Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar
Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar
Make the holiday countdown extra fun with this interactive Christmas tree. Spin the wheels behind the tree to show the days until Christmas, and change out the tree's ornaments anytime you want to give it a festive new look.
Experience even more Northpole magic.
• Family can count down the days until Christmas in a merry and bright way each day.
• Cardstock countdown calendar shaped like a Christmas tree.
• Movable round openings can turn to reveal the number of days left until Christmas.
• Tabletop decoration and calendar.
• 8.125" W x 10.625" H x 0.5" D
$12.95
MELISSA & DOUG
Countdown to Christmas – Wooden Advent Calendar
Add some kid-friendly holiday cheer and a charming yuletide ritual to your home with this wooden magnetic holiday tree. The set includes 24 unique magnetic ornaments plus a shining star for Christmas day--all of which fit neatly in the attached box at the base of the tree. Kids can pick a favorite design to place on the tree each day, following the numbered outlines to fill the tree right up to Christmas. They'll also love to switch, move and rearrange the pieces to customize their very own tree countless times.
Countdown to Christmas – Wooden Advent Calendar
Add some kid-friendly holiday cheer and a charming yuletide ritual to your home with this wooden magnetic holiday tree. The set includes 24 unique magnetic ornaments plus a shining star for Christmas day--all of which fit neatly in the attached box at the base of the tree. Kids can pick a favorite design to place on the tree each day, following the numbered outlines to fill the tree right up to Christmas. They'll also love to switch, move and rearrange the pieces to customize their very own tree countless times.
$24.99
LEGO FRIENDS ADVENT CALENDAR
Count down to a LEGO® Friends Christmas this December! Build the holiday story as you follow Mia on a sledding adventure! Spot the wildlife in the forest on the way to her friend Ewa’s house. Help them prepare a delicious Christmas dinner and then share in the excitement as they open all their presents!
Count down to a LEGO® Friends Christmas this December! Build the holiday story as you follow Mia on a sledding adventure! Spot the wildlife in the forest on the way to her friend Ewa’s house. Help them prepare a delicious Christmas dinner and then share in the excitement as they open all their presents!
Includes Mia and Ewa mini-doll figures with 24 buildable surprises in a calendar with 24 secret compartments.
Makes a great gift for young builders!
Contains 228 pieces.
$39.99
PLAYMOBILE ADVENT CALENDAR SANTAS WORKSHOPHelp Santa assemble all the Christmas gifts as he makes his list and checks it twice! The Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar contains twenty-four items for each day of Advent to form a gift that will keep on giving long after the holidays have passed.
Includes Santa figure, two elves, one angel, reindeer with sleigh, gifts, assorted toys, wheelbarrow, basket, and additional accessories to build a compete Santa’s Workshop.
$28.99
DAVID’S TEA
24 Days of Tea
Count down the days with this tea-filled advent calendar. Each day is a new surprise with a selection of teas from the year round favourites, with new and returning holiday blends. Holiday blends include Eggnog, Sleigh Ride and Santa’s Secret. 24 days, 24 different teas!
Count down the days with this tea-filled advent calendar. Each day is a new surprise with a selection of teas from the year round favourites, with new and returning holiday blends. Holiday blends include Eggnog, Sleigh Ride and Santa’s Secret. 24 days, 24 different teas!
$34.50
THE BODY SHOP
Beauty Advent CalendarCountdown to Christmas in skin-loving style with The Body Shop’s Beauty Advent Calendar. This extra-special treat features a beauty surprise behind every door, from best-selling body and face care to iconic fragrance, plus our latest additions: Glazed Apple, Wild Argan Oil and Colour Crush™ Nail Colours. Make it holiday every day!
$50.00
BENEFIT COSMETICS
Advent Calendar
A limited-edition, holiday advent calendar filled with 24 mini beauty essentials.
A limited-edition, holiday advent calendar filled with 24 mini beauty essentials.
Get a beauty surprise everyday with this holiday countdown. Each day, open the sweet shop doors to reveal a Benefit bestseller or surprise gift. Keep it for yourself, or give it to a fellow beauty addict.
This set contains:
- 0.25 oz “That gal” brightening face primer
- 0.25 oz the POREfessional pore minimizer
- 0.08 oz Benetint cheek and lip stain in Rose
- 0.08 oz High beam liquid highlighter
- 0.08 oz Chachatint lip and cheek stain in Sheer Mango
- 0.08 oz Posietint lip and cheek stain in Poppy Pink
- 0.04 oz Stay flawless foundation primer
- 0.1 oz They’re real! mascara
- 0.22 oz Ultra plush lip gloss in Dandelion
- 0.22 oz Ultra plush lip gloss in A-lister
- 0.22 oz Ultra plush lip gloss in Fauxmance
- 0.14 oz BADgal lash mascara
- 0.08 oz Stay don’t stray concealer and eye shadow primer in Light/Medium
- 0.1 oz Fakeup concealer in 02 Medium
- 0.1 oz It’s potent! eye cream
- 0.3 oz Total moisture facial cream
- 0.08 oz Ooh la lift eye cream
- 0.08 oz Watt’s up! highlighter
- Beauty sticky notes
- Doodle pad
- Heart-shaped paperclips
- Pinky, polka-dot hair tie
- Elastic hair band with bow charm
- Metallic silvery hair tie
$119
Kasie’s Homemade Advent Calendars
Good Cheer Advent Calendar
This easy-to-make creative project cost a whopping $6 for supplies at the local dollar-store (the branches came from the backyard). It's fun for all ages and a great way to gather the family together to work on something that promotes caring and sharing this Christmas season. On the reverse of each snowman or gingerbread man, is an idea or task for each day leading up to Christmas. Ideas like, "Bake cookies and deliver to a neighbour", "Make a brother's bed", "Shovel someone's driveway", "Watch a holiday movie together", "Deliver food to the food bank", "Call an old friend"... Simple, easy and definitely focuses on giving, rather than receiving.
This easy-to-make creative project cost a whopping $6 for supplies at the local dollar-store (the branches came from the backyard). It's fun for all ages and a great way to gather the family together to work on something that promotes caring and sharing this Christmas season. On the reverse of each snowman or gingerbread man, is an idea or task for each day leading up to Christmas. Ideas like, "Bake cookies and deliver to a neighbour", "Make a brother's bed", "Shovel someone's driveway", "Watch a holiday movie together", "Deliver food to the food bank", "Call an old friend"... Simple, easy and definitely focuses on giving, rather than receiving.
For anyone who's living away this season, a great idea that's sure to bring 25 days of smiles to anyone's face, is to fill a box (something you can easily ship) with goodies and little gifts for each day leading up to Christmas. For a female University student for example, the box I packed is filled with little dollar-store boxes containing $5 or $10 gift cards for their fave fro-yo and coffee shops, nail polish, gum, toiletries, homemade goodies, stamps (ahem, mail Mom a letter - retro style!), etc... This is a great way to bring the holidays home and reduce holiday home-sickness.
"Wine not" Advent Calendar
For the oenophile in your life (or the house that hosts a ton of Christmas parties), fill a wine rack with 24 crowd pleasing bottles and "cheers!" your way to the 25th one sweet sip at a time.
1. Jackson-Triggs Entourage Brut Niagara – 2011 – toasting or cocktails
1. Jackson-Triggs Entourage Brut Niagara – 2011 – toasting or cocktails
2. Jackson-Triggs Entourage Merlot Sparkling (Select Wine Rack stores, Winery & Online) Niagara – 2012 –aperitif, Cocktails, Dessert
3. Inniskillin Sparkling Icewine Cabernet Franc – 2012 (Winery & Online) Niagara – Christmas Eve –w/ cheese – special to share with close family
4. Inniskillin Pinot Noir Rose – 2013 –gift wrapping wine
5. Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Riesling – 2013 – crowd pleaser
6. Jackson-Triggs Gewurtztraminer 2012 – turkey wine
7. Inniskillin Reserve Riesling – 2013 – bring to a potluck
8. Jackson-Triggs Reserve Shiraz-Cabernet – 2013 – post-shopping wine
9. Inniskillin Estate Series Chardonnay – 2012 – watching Christmas movies with popcorn
10. Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Shiraz – 2012 – post skating party
11. Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Pinot Noir – 2013 – Christmas dinner
12. Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Red Meritage – 2012 – a Christmas roast
13. Inniskillin Reserve Merlot – 2012 –last minute guests
14. Inniskillin Single-Vineyard Series Montague Vineyard Chardonnay – 2013 - Gift To Your Boss
15. Delaine by Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay – 2012 – bring to your cookie exchange
16. Inniskillin Estate Series Late Autumn Riesling – 2013 – crowd pleaser
17. Inniskillin Estate Series Merlot – 2010 – tree trimming
18. Inniskillin Discovery Series P3 (Pinot Gris-Pinot Blanc-Pinot Noir Blend) (Select Wine Rack stores, Winery & Online) – 2013 – Leave a glass for Santa (it’s his favourite!)
19. Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Chardonnay – 2013 – Cooking Christmas dinner
20. Inniskillin Reserve Series Shiraz-Cabernet – 2012 – cold weather warm up
21. Inniskillin Discovery Series Chenin Blanc – Okanagan – 2012 – baking Christmas goodies
22. Sunrock by Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Shiraz – 2011 – roasting by the fire
23. Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Zinfandel 2011 – catching up with old friends
24. Inniskillin Niagara Cabernet Franc Icewine 2012 – a gift for yourself
David's Tea in Regina does not have this calendar and does not expect to get them in. Disappointing.
ReplyDeleteCelebrate Advent with beautiful handmade ornaments. Beginning December 1, hang a new one each day leading up to Christmas Day. Find Advent ornaments herehttps://www.etsy.com/au/shop/PinkScissorsDesign
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