Whip up an easy advent calendar using treat bags from the dollar store.
This morning I hung up my new advent calendar and it looks great! I am thrilled with the way it turned out! In true Exquisitely Unremarkable form, it was super cheap and super easy! This year, I wanted to shake up our advent routine a bit and these goody bags from the dollar store proved to be just the ticket!
Now I have a fabulous countdown calendar and a cute new garland for my family room, all in one!
There were six bags in each package. I picked up four packages; one snowman, one penguin, two Santas, I am a red girl after all! I brainstormed a few ideas for family fun and printed them out and then I popped into the local drugstore and grabbed a few candies.
I stuffed the bags and then I laced them together with the ribbon provided.
I always put up a string of very simple white lights around the window seat in the family room to add some seasonal sparkle, so I just pinned the garland on top of it. The gifts can be accessed by gently pulling or snipping the bag and the garland will remain intact for the entire season.
I was a bit unsure at first if the bags would look cheesy or cheapen my décor, but I actually love them. They are playful and colorful and I think they look very cute and country.
Besides, the rest of the house can be elegant and serious, Christmas should be filled with a little bit of whimsy!
The garland lends itself to lots of interpretation...it could be hung on the tree, over a doorway, across a banister on the mantle and of course, any kind of bags will do.
It only cost me $4.00 for this new take on our old tradition! What could be better than that? Ummm...how about free
Do you countdown to Christmas?
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This is such a cute idea! Love that it inexpensive too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Scarlett, I was looking for something different, easy and inexpensive...this fit the bill! :)
DeleteThat looks really cute! I have red in my kitchen too and that would great above my window seat. I also love your place mats for Thanksgiving - the puzzle piece idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! They're such easy projects~ both adapted from crafts I did when teaching primary school! I am the queen of simple! :)
DeleteHi I love the way your advent calendar looks on top of the window and what a clever and creative idea. I saw it on life on lakeshore drive. Julie at julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julie. I needed something fresh this year...I was tired of my old Department 56 house!
DeleteLove this!! You always have the best ideas! My kids voted for the usual chain garland, so that's what we're doing--makes it easy for me, so I won't complain. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet, Dee! I should've started with the chain garland years ago, instead of the house with all the doors that needed to be filled up! The bar has been set and there's no going back now! ;)
DeleteSo cute Kim! I have the store-bought version this year since I didn't have time to make my own. My son surely enjoys opening each one everyday!
ReplyDeleteOur store bought one held a special place in our home for many years, Vel, and yes, store bought or homemade opening always brings a smile! :)
DeleteKim, this is precious and is perfect for the child in all of us! Isn't that true, that the decorations make more fun for the whole family regardless of age. Your red is wonderful...I'm leaning toward red for a room one day!;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Helen! It's a little different for me, I usually go for the more elegant and polished look...even if it is rustic or primitive, but something about these dollar store cuties just tugged at my heart a bit! Hey, I'll be watching your posts to see if you ever do go with red...it's becomes an addiction! :)
DeleteSuper cute idea!! I'd love if you'd link up to The DIYers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-diyers-40.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT project! I'm a new follower stopping by from Fluster Muster's Creative Muster. :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://christyscraftycorner.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-back.html
Thanks Christy! :)
DeleteWe count down :^)
ReplyDeleteOur advent calendar has little doors that open and have opened since the late 1940's :^0
They have multiple Scotch tape patches (one year my Mom patched them with GREEN scotch tape....yikes....) but they still work and it still makes me smile!
I love your little bags...if I see them in our dollar store, I will get them to make a garland for the littles next Christmas!
Blessings to you,
J
I love the countdown! It adds to the excitement for the kids and for us, as well! We have used our house with doors for years...my mom bought it for me and it really is special...for some reason, this year we were looking for something different! The dollar store bags were so cute, I couldn't resist their (cheap) smiling faces! Happy December J!! :)
DeleteAdorable! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Danielle ~ It's always so sweet that you take the time to come by and check out my links and comment! I always appreciate the opportunity to party! :)
DeleteKim thanks for sharing this! Very valuable tips for those who are trying to celebrate the Season! Very festive decorations!
ReplyDeleteThanks Johnnie, it's just what we do around here! ;) I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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