This year I have decided to boycott the pre filled, shop-bought Christmas advent calendars and instead, use a reusable fabric pocket advent and fill it with lots of different, more personal treats for my children.
There is however, only one calendar but three children…! So, I’ve had to think very carefully as to what I put in there, plus how to keep my spending under control (there’s always that tendency of getting a bit too carried away!).
Most of my fillers have been put straight in to the pockets as they are although a small handful have been wrapped with tissue paper and a ribbon to make the opening that bit more fun and exciting. Where items have been in pockets for a specific child, I have used a personalised stamp (from the English Stamp Company) to stamp the gift with their name on it.
In every pocket there is something for each child – it could be a toy for one and a treat for two, or a simply a treat (and by treat, I mean a small piece of chocolate!) for all three.
To add that extra bit of personalisation, I accessorised my Ferm Living advent calendar (which I love!) with battery operated wired LED lights and a gorgeous polar bear which I picked up for only £18 from M&Co!
Below are the items that I chose to fill my children’s calendar with, most of which were only £1 each although, there were a few that were a little more. In all, I spent no more than £30 on my advent fillers. (I haven’t included the Westelm letter decorations though as these were bought before I had planned this advent!)
What I bought;
Do let me know if you will be doing something similar this Christmas. Likewise, please share what you will be putting in yours, if different to mine!
Thanks for reading, SJ
Looks fab! And great ideas! I do something similar Only with a Christmas village advent…. I add letters some days with treats such as visit to Santa, Ice skating, Christmas baking, Christmas movie night, late night village walk to see the Christmas lights! Such a fun time of year! 🤩 🎅🏻 🎄
So cute, love it. Will definitely do this next year when we are in the new house! @buildingmulberryhouse
x
As my daughter began ‘not believing’ I needed to add a bit of sparkle back into the festive season – so I did a very similar calendar , mainly focused around make up – as she loves make up , I bought a large basket, some lovely wooden number tags and really went to town on decorating the area for this advent calendar. The last gift was a shop
voucher. As a family we loved the gathering of the great reveal each morning, it definitely bought the Christmas spirit back – we now do it every other year – it’s a highlight of Christmas for us !
My daughter never asks for anything not for Christmas or birthdays – all she ever wants is a surprise- so this is great fun for her and us
I’m doing this this year so thanks for the inspiration, I’m also going to put some activities in some too, like go for a walk, bake cookies etc
This year along with a chocolate I wrote 24 notes.Each one is centred ariund us doing something as a family.I matched it to our diary as some things were more suitable for the weekend, eg a trip in the car to look at Christmas lights. Another day is bake Christmas cookies, watch a Christmas family movie, pick a toy to donate to charity etc.
❤️
Love the polar bear head! Thanks for sharing your ideas, I’ll be heading to Poundland for those game controller decorations! We usually have chocolates on weekdays and family activities for the weekend but it’ll be nice to mix up the chops with football cards etc. My boys are getting older now but they always ask for our family advent tree to be put up.
This is gorgeous SJ! Your attention to detail is stunning as per usual. I sometimes put little aftershave/perfume samples in the pouches too. My 6 year is starting to get into things like this now. Hehe. If we have an activity planned that day, I have typed them onto mini scrolls for them to read. Eg:we are going to the panto today. It’s all so magical isn’t it. X
Great idea! What have you used to attach the calendar to your door? I’m not sure what to use that won’t damage or mark the paintwork. Thanks!
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I’ve used command strip hooks for mine x