On the first day of Christmas

Happy December to you all, the countdown has officially started and our advent calendar is up.


The kids both loved decorating each box but they don't know what's inside yet, first noodle box will be revealed after school.


I love getting the kids involved in things and because this is really all for them, I thought it would be the perfect way to count down to Christmas.

Pegs decorated with washi tape and hung on twine.


There are craft treats or sweet treats in every box and to avoid disappointment, there are two treats in every box.

They both agreed that they will take it in turns each day to open a box and they get to choose which treat in the box is theirs.

I even included some special notes as I know Amelie is loving her new reading skills.


So what are you up to for the first day of Christmas?
Do you have an advent calendar? 
I'd love to see it if you have posted it.

Happy creating to you ♥
✗ ♡

Comments

  1. Anonymous30 November 2011 at 19:17

    That is so sweet. We haven't had an advent calendar yet, as the ones you buy all just have chocolate in them and I just can't see my boys stopping at just one. I would have to lock the advent calendar in the pantry, and that is no fun at all, is it? I can almost visualise your version working for us...

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  2. Jennie30 November 2011 at 19:35

    Such a gorgeous idea - they are going to look forward to every day till Christmas now!

    I posted a photo on The Twit last night of our little train that has drawers for every day. The girls will open a drawer each when they get home today!XXX

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  3. Anonymous30 November 2011 at 19:46

    Yes! We to have a child made advent which I love...it only came about through me taking so long to get cracking but you know I much prefer it to anything I could have made :)

    x

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  4. PinkPatentMaryJanes30 November 2011 at 20:12

    Oh that is beautiful. We don't have a crafty advent calendar - just a Hello Kitty one filled with chocolate. But it made my gal smile this morning when she realised she could open it. Hope you're enjoying the festive season xx

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  5. The Shady Baker30 November 2011 at 20:48

    Too cool...love it :)

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  6. Felicity30 November 2011 at 21:04

    Oh how I love this idea for an advent calendar - very clever.

    The 1st of December is very special in our family as it's my beautiful Mother's birthday and tonight we have the end of year school concert - so busy times all round.

    Happy days to you Lovely,

    Felicityx

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  7. emma @ frog, goose and bear30 November 2011 at 21:18

    What a beautiful advent calendar Cathie! I love the kids being involved of as many aspects of the Christmas build-up as possible. It helps build the excitement I think. We have little origami cups made by Goose a few years ago. Will open the first one tonight. I used to be a lot more creative with what went in it, but this year, like last year, it'll just be a choccy or a sticker and a small piece of the nativity story each day.
    So lovely to bump into you yesterday!
    emma

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  8. mel @ loved handmade30 November 2011 at 22:26

    Cathie this is gorgeous! What a fun way to make a calendar, and I love the drawings on each box..x

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  9. Anonymous30 November 2011 at 22:55

    aahhh Cathie what a gorgeous idea they will love it ;-) You always put so much thought into things. My boys have a chocolate one each, but on Monday i bought a handmade quilted xmas tree one with cats on that was made by a lady at the school i work in, its beautiful and its something i can bring out every year. I will post on this fri's post. Enjoy the rest of your weekk, dee x

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  10. Sandrine30 November 2011 at 23:28

    Wonderful idea Cathie love the kids involvement as you said it is all about them!Mine would just be on a daily dispute having to take turn at choosing thought!:)xx

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  11. Special 'K'1 December 2011 at 00:45

    You are so very clever. I love that idea it is so special. What a lovely blog you have here I have enjoyed myself looking around and will follow on my way out to ensure I return. I hope you can find the time to visit my place and do the same. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  12. Sarah1 December 2011 at 01:29

    That is SO COOL!! I think I will have to do this as a different one for my to be 3.5 year old. The then will be 13 and 14 year olds will get something different...

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  13. Cat1 December 2011 at 03:09

    This is lovely Cathie. I love how your two sweet little ones help to create the calendar. It sounds like this afternoon would have been a very exciting time in your house today:) I haven't hung our advent calendar up yet but it is the same as last year. In each envelope is a lolly and an activity to do. I better get making a few more envelopes tonight I'm missing three. Enjoy your Christmas preparations. xo

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  14. nicole1 December 2011 at 03:36

    such a sweet idea cathie!
    xo

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  15. 74 Lime Lane1 December 2011 at 03:38

    Noodle boxes! What a fabulous idea. I did make one, using paper bags. You can see it on my blog today!

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  16. All For Love1 December 2011 at 04:15

    Oh I just LOVE this idea Cathie. In fact, this one is my favourite of all the advent calendar varieties floating around at the moment. I love the children's involvement too, makes it so much more exciting for them to see what surprises are hiding in their special boxes. Great plan to take turns choosing each day also.
    Lovely post as always Cathie xo

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  17. Cat from Raspberry Rainbow1 December 2011 at 04:54

    Fabulous idea! Just wonderful :)

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  18. Kat1 December 2011 at 12:36

    What a cute idea! I can't wait to have kids. I think Christmas will be so much more fun and magical once we have kids. Last night we put up our tree, baked Christmas cookies and watched The Grinch.

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  19. ally1 December 2011 at 15:47

    Noodle boxes - excellent idea - my matchboxes are too small for the treats!!
    I love it

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  20. nunu1 December 2011 at 20:16

    i looove this! i did paper bags last year but may have to do noodle boxes sometime! (not this year - way too much in the transition of moving, um in two days...) but, that you had the kids help in the decorating was great too. cute surprises and you're such a good mum to include those little notes for your blossoming reader. xo

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  21. My Beautiful World2 December 2011 at 09:54

    Love visiting you dear friend now thats a precious advent calendar haven't done mine yet (hence the mess I'm in) but will be doing my 12 days of Christmas soon. Have a lovely weekend xo

    Always Wendy

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  22. Amanda6 December 2011 at 17:02

    I love the way you have included your children in the making of your calendar. It looks super cute and I bet they'll LOVE opening each box. your notes are a lovely addition too. Sadly, I haven't had enough time to make an Advent calendar for Grace this year as I'd hoped so it's a boring old chocolate one for her :( hopefully next year I can make one as great as yours xx

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  23. Melanie Gray Augustin7 December 2011 at 18:43

    Oh I love that advent calendar idea! We don't have one up this year, but will next year when I think the little one is old enough to get it. Hmm.... I might be poaching this idea too :)

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  24. posie blogs Jennie McClelland12 December 2011 at 01:55

    Just love you & your family to bits, love Posie

    ReplyDelete
  25. tea with lucy12 December 2011 at 03:33

    I love this idea. gorgeous!

    i had intended to sew up a groovy little number with cute pockets, inspired by a picture i saw in inside out last year. it's all cut out and pinned. . . and tucked in the corner of my sewing cupboard. maybe next year?!

    rachel xo

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  26. Anonymous15 December 2011 at 15:08

    Happy December to you :)....This is adorable. Wish I had the time this year to make one but that wasn't happening...Maybe next year...

    ReplyDelete
  27. SE'LAH...18 December 2011 at 16:26

    so original. so very sweet.

    sending warm holiday greetings your way. one love.

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  28. Little Pinwheel23 December 2011 at 00:30

    wishing you and your beautiful family a special christmas.... thinking of you lovely lady!
    xxx

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  29. Cath @ chunkychooky26 December 2011 at 15:21

    Hope you had a lovely lovely few days cathie. xx

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  30. Anonymous27 December 2011 at 20:05

    Fantastic idea Cathie!! Might have to try this next year.

    Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. xx

    ReplyDelete

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