There has been a few different versions of advent calendars at the Pickle Farm over the years. This year however, we have the advent calendar to top all advent calendars!
Made by the fabulously talented Nanny Pickle (aka my Mum), who seems to actually enjoy the insanity of sewing 24 little bags and filling them with goodies for each of my three big kids. Yes, that is 24×3 = 72 little bags!
The bags are all different shapes and sizes, with glitter fabric paint numbers on each one. We hung them with wire ornament hooks on lengths of star bunting tacked to the wall.
Each little bag has something special in it. Some have a sweet treat. Some have a small gift. Some have a Christmas decoration to hang on the tree. Some have an activity to do such as a Christmas word find, or gift tags to decorate with Christmas stickers, or a suggestion to buy a wishing tree gift for a child who might not get anything at Christmas. I’ve tried to make sure there is a good combination of special treats for the kids, things for us all to do together and things to encourage us to think about giving to others and being grateful.
I hung them on Sunday afternoon while the kids decorated the Christmas tree. There was much discussion and calculations about when we’d get to open the first one and therefore how many days it was until Christmas. There is much excitement and anticipation and tomorrow is the big day… the first of December!
It’s probably a bit late to begin making an advent calendar like ours for this year (though if you started now and stayed up late you might be done by tomorrow?) but maybe there is enough time to make something like this paper versions over at Be a Fun Mum?
And if you are not too bust making advent calendars pop on over to Childhood101.com and check out We Play for some fabulous play ideas!
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW! *Bows down to Nanny Pickle*
It looks so pretty! Adding the idea to my list of things for Christmas 2011 ;)
That looks incredible! I can’t believe your mum makes one for EACH of the kids. I’m planning on posting about our calendar on Thursday (after the first day of activities). Now ours is a bit embarassing!
Wow! I LOVE it! Right now, i’m attempting to rope my Mum into helping me make three strands tonight for our three!
Oh my, that is wonderful! I love it, what a fantastic Mum you have x
Nanny Pickle is awesome! :D If I hadn’t just finished making my own Kaisercraft advent calender I would want one of those.
I like the paper ones too, and they would make a great gift of sweeties. We might have to make some for teachers, cousins and other special people :)
Oh My Gosh! That is one devoted Grandmother. I wonder if your children know how blessed they are? Visiting from waddleeahchaa.com. :) joyce
Man Alive! That looks amazing! Oh to be so clever. Thanks for the mention Kate. I’m putting a link for this post on mine. Love it!
Wow!
A handmade advent calendar is a feat in itself, but one for three…. hooray for Nanny Pickle!
The advent box template would also make for an fun, unique way to package the christmas gifts for school friends.
Great work Kate
What a spectacular Nanny! These look awesome and what a wonderful idea to have different kinds of things in each one.
So pretty, what a clever (and patient) Nanny!
That is one of the best Advent ideas I have seen.
Dear Nanny Pickle,
There is room in our lives for another Nanny, may we please adopt you into the Babble House?
Please don’t tell the current candidates.
love from the kids and parents at BabbleOn.
Wow – I am in awe!
serously, where would the world be without nannys?
Wow! Nanny pickle went all out with one for each (i guess Noah-Q gets his next year?
Whatever happened to “it’s good to share” to quote an Izzy-bear?
Love those boxes – I wonder if I could get away with those instead of crackers on the table?? probably not…
xxxCate
That’s fantastic! It is the best looking, most amazing advent calendar I’ve ever seen.
I love your calendar. We are using a magnetic advent calendar at our house this year.
Oh WOW what a great advent calendar, might try something like that next year instead of the usual shop bought ones, plus it will give me project next spring ;)
Fabulous!! Definitely bookmarking this for next year.
Your advent calendar is great! Good idea to have one for each child too -my two are having lots of trouble taking turns this year. Thanks for sharing at my link-up too :)
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