Our Pottery Barn Knock-Off Advent Calendar

I wanted to make an advent calendar for the kids.  After looking online, my favorite was this Christmas tree Pottery Barn version~

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 used my sewing machine and stitched the star, trunk, and pockets right onto the tree.  It was pretty simple. 

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.  :)

1. Hang candy canes on the tree.  (My kids are young, they will actually think this is fun!)
2. Make snowflakes and hang from the ceiling and around the house.
3. Candlelight dinner
4. Gingerbread House Decorating Party with neighborhood friends
5. Leave out wooden shoes
6. Write and mail letters to Santa
7. Enjoy hot chocolate with candy canes and whipped cream.
8. Candlelight bubblebath (This was one of their FAVORITES!)
9. Watch a Christmas movie and munch on popcorn
10. Pizza picnic by the tree
11. Game night
12. Decorate Christmas cookies with Grandma and cousins
13. Build a fort and read Christmas books inside
14. Make a snowman
15. Decorate homemade Christmas cards and mail to friends
16. Candlelight bubblebath ~ again :)
17. Make caramel corn and watch another Christmas movie (another repeat - this one can be used alot if needed!)
18. Get Happy Meals and drive around to look at lights
19. Sledding
20. Hot chocolate with all the yummy toppings (another repeat)
21. Open one present
22. Sleep under the Christmas tree
23. Make reindeer food (trail mix recipe) for the reindeer tomorrow night.
24. Special Christmas dinner with extended family and open presents
25. 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! :)