Of course, the PB price wasn't in my range, so I thought I'd attempt my own version.
I picked out a bunch of different colors of felt at the fabric store.
I also found some felt by the yard in glittery green, which was perfect!
After cutting out the tree and 25 little pockets in all different colors, I shamelessly copied many of the little pictures off the PB calendar. A few of the pocket picture ideas I found online.
I just used craft glue to adhere the little pictures to the pockets. Easy Peasy!
I found some of this white decorating glue called "Snow Writer."
I used it to scatter a few snowflakes around the tree.
Just regular black glitter glue worked to write the numbers on the pockets and also the kid's names onto the tree trunk.
This is how it turned out~
Again, I searched online and found some great ideas for each day's activity. Some of the kids' favorites from last year I sorta cheated and used twice this year. :)
- Hang candy canes on the tree. (My kids are young, they will actually think this is fun!)
- Make snowflakes and hang from the ceiling and around the house.
- Candlelight dinner
- Gingerbread House Decorating Party with neighborhood friends
- Leave out wooden shoes
- Write and mail letters to Santa
- Enjoy hot chocolate with candy canes and whipped cream.
- Candlelight bubblebath (This was one of their FAVORITES!)
- Watch a Christmas movie and munch on popcorn
- Pizza picnic by the tree
- Game night
- Decorate Christmas cookies with Grandma and cousins
- Build a fort and read Christmas books inside
- Make a snowman
- Decorate homemade Christmas cards and mail to friends
- Candlelight bubblebath ~ again :)
- Make caramel corn and watch another Christmas movie (another repeat - this one can be used alot if needed!)
- Get Happy Meals and drive around to look at lights
- Sledding
- Hot chocolate with all the yummy toppings (another repeat)
- Open one present
- Sleep under the Christmas tree
- Make reindeer food (trail mix recipe) for the reindeer tomorrow night.
- Special Christmas dinner with extended family and open presents
- Cinnamon rolls (Rhodes, NOT homemade) for breakfast
Each day I'll just put one of the listed activities in that day's pocket. That way I can switch things around if needed.
Most of the activites are pretty simple to do. I tried to stay away from lots of big spectacular things that, when added up, could be overwhelming to accomplish each day. Working in ideas that we would most likely do anyways makes it alot easier! The kids really enjoy this!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)
How cute...love how all of the pockets are different!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
WOW!!! It is amazing! Great great job, I'm so jealous! I want one!! Happy holidays :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute and clever! Looks like it took quite a while to make, too. I don't know that I would have the patience. Good for you. I know your children will enjoy it for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done with so many great details. This will be enjoyed for many, many years.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I have been eying that exact advent calendar from PBkids. I wish I had the ability to create something so similar. AMAZING job! If you don't mind me asking, what was the total that you spent? (tiffanyaskeroth@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteVery Cute! Every year I want to make one!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I cannot even imagine the amount of time you put into this.. but it was well worth it! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2010/11/pink-hippo-party-5.html
ReplyDeletewow thats awesome!!! I love it! And the ideas are great too!
ReplyDeletegreat knock off! :)
ReplyDeletereally love this -- can't sew, but since it's felt I'm thinking fabric glue will work to adhere pockets. wish me luck...
ReplyDeleteThe kids and I just made a felt Xmas tree today--I'll post pics on my blog tomorrow, but yours is stunning! We did a felt tree due to lack of space here in our house in England, but this advent idea is awsome! This is so gorgeous--I can tellyou put alot of effort in this. GREAT JOB
ReplyDeleteFollowing you for future wonderfullness...:o)
natalie
Looks time consuming, but you sure did a great job! I love all of your ideas too.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely adorable! You did such a great job! Would love for you to visit me and link up to Made with Love Monday at Sew Chatty! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love this! I want to make it too! I love your daily holiday ideas. I will be borrowing those! Thank you for sharing! You are very clever.
ReplyDeleteso cute!!! I had thought about TRYING to do one of these, but was scared of how it would turn out! :) I have to say, I think yours is WAY cuter than the pottery barn one! You did an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty awesome! I know several kids that would absolutely love it! :)
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ReplyDeleteI featured you today over at Today's Top 20! You did an awesome job!!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
I love it!! Thanks so much for linking up with Sassy Sites for our Christmas Party! Be sure to check back often and I hope you link up with us again! xoxo!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this!!!! I just made a muffin tin advent calendar yesterday:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.momendeavors.com/2010/11/muffin-tin-advent-calendar.html
But, I like this SOOO much better!!! Too bad I didn't see it earlier! Bookmarking it for another year for sure though!!!
Love all your "pocket filler" ideas ~ Very family oriented and fun!
ReplyDeleteOhh this is an awesome advent calendar! Looks so great, but I also really like that you're using activities!! Adorable!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know I featured you today on CrazyDomestic.com. Feel free to grab our "I was featured" button!
ReplyDeleteThat is so adorable!!! I must put this on my to-do list for next year!
ReplyDeleteI love advent calendars! You did a FABULOUS job on this! LOTS of details!
ReplyDeleteYou should come link this up to my weekly Thursday Making It With Allie Link Party! I think it would make a Fabulous addition!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
How cute! you did a really nice job.
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up and linking back!
gail
What a great work of art--and so much fun! Thanks for linking up to Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 Party.
ReplyDeletevery impressive! love it :)
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! This is so crafty and very well done! Thanks for linking to the Christmas SFS! -shaunna :)
ReplyDeleteI have been stalking this post for a while now & have decided to try this. Would you mind sharing a couple measurements? Like how tall & wide the tree is and the size of your pockets?? PLEASE & THANK YOU!! You have a great blog & I love your creations!!
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Samantha
randomlycrafty@live.com
I'm about to shamelessly copy this. Well done, very excited!
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