DIY or New Reusable Advent Calendars For a Treasured Family Keepsake

A Wooden, Cardboard, Cloth, or DIY Advent Calendar

We've had a cloth advent calendar for Christmas for the past 20 years. Since the kids were little, the same advent calendar sees our family room annually. 

The nice thing about a cloth calendar with pockets is you can put treats inside for each of the 24 days.

Our family Advent Calendar is featured below.

Bring out your own Advent Calendar each year and make it a standard part of family traditions.

However, if you're not into a store-bought reusable Advent Calendar, you can make your own. Get the kids involved.

Five DIY Ideas on How to Make Your Own Advent Calendar:

Our Family Advent Calendar

by Funkthishouse.com

1. Use 24 kiddie Christmas socks. Glue each sock to a painted cardboard or wooden backboard. Put treats in each sock for each day.
2. Use 24 small boxes (ring size) glued to cardboard or backboard. Keep the lids on the boxes, and inside each box, put treats. Decorate the boxes individually.
3. Attach 24 small gift bags to a backboard or cardboard. Put treats in the gift bags.
4. Use mini tree stockings. Put them all together on a piece of string with numbers on the front for each day. Put treats in each one.
5. Use 24 empty toilet paper rolls. I know, that's weird, right, but it works. Glue the rolls together in the shape of a Christmas Tree - 1 on the top for the star, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, then 2 and 2 for the base of the tree. Glue them together, then decorate each one. Place goodies inside each roll. 

Making your own Advent Calendar is a beautiful reminder during the kid's growing years. You'll pull out that calendar and your past Christmas memories when they're older and no longer decorating with you.

Time holds our treasures, and our treasures stop time. Think about your kids' decorations over the years and what they mean to you. There isn't anything quite as precious.

Whether you use a pre-made Christmas Calendar or a DIY one makes no difference. Create memories during the little years to carry you through the big years.

When the time is right, take all the decorations your kids have made, wrap them up and pass them on. They can include them in their Christmas traditions along with your family stories.

CREATIVE ADVENT CALENDARS

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Unconventional Christmas Decor to Serve Your Inner Wackiness

Elf Table Leg or Chair Leg Covers

Find them Here

You're not conventional. Everybody knows that about you. So don't disappoint them, go ahead and add these three odd-ball Christmas décor items this holiday season.

Elf Leg Covers for Your Chairs or End Tables

If your goal is hearing your guests let out a belly laugh when they see what crazy décor idea you've come up with, then Elf Leg Covers should do the trick.

The set comes with four leg covers - enough to do one chair. However, they're not expensive so budget permitting, get enough to do several chairs.

If the budget allows for only one set, then you could plan to use them on a hallway end-table or an end-table that's clearly visible in a room.

When a Full Blown Santa Suit isn't in the Cards, Greet Your

A Santa Sweatshirt for the Hostess

Guests Wearing a Santa Sweatshirt

If two of you are hosting a Christmas gathering or party, greet your guests wearing these festive borderline ugly sweaters. They don't qualify as full blown ugly because, after all, they do honor the big guy.

You won't have a problem finding your size, as they range from Small to Triple X.

This sweater is a standard pullover with a round neck and cotton liner. Also, there are two convenient pockets on the side. Double check the size chart because sometimes it's better to order a size up.

A Santa Sweatshirt also makes an excellent hostess gift. It's original, funny and best of all, useful for the season.

Decorate the Toilet - Show Off Your Goofy Side

Turn the Toilet into a Snowman

Why not? Go ahead. When else do you get to decorate the toilet? Go full-on-tacky with your washroom décor. Forget classy, go for the laugh.

This funny snowman toilet accessory is just what's needed when your guests open the washroom door to do their business - snowman eyes looking right at them. A relaxed bathroom-goer is a happy bathroom-goer.

Less tension, more smiles helps to ensure everything comes out ok.

The set comes as seen in the photo: With the mat, the toilet seat cover and the tank cover. It doesn't list washing instructions, but if it were me, after the party's over, I would wash on delicate and hang to dry.

Have fun, get silly for the season!

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Three Affordable Holiday Accessories to Deck Out Your Christmas Dinner Table

Get Set of 8 Santa Hat Chair Covers Here

Get a jump on the Christmas Holiday season by having all the little things addressed early.

Too often we leave those small decorative items we've always wanted until the last minute then think, 'nah', maybe next year.

Don't do that this year. Life is short.

Christmas Chair Covers

Chair covers make a lovely addition to a Christmas table setting; when you're aiming for a red-green table setting, they complete the festive look and feel.

They're not a one trick pony: Chair covers can also be used for home Christmas parties or even holiday birthdays.

Featured in the photo are a set of 8 Santa Claus Hat Chair Covers. You'll be surprised by how affordable they are. Get a jump on your holiday plans. Generally you'll want to allow 3 to 7 days for order processing and 2 to 8 days for shipping. Start today and you'll have plenty of time.

Christmas Silverware Stockings

Stocking Stuffed for Dinner Display - Get them Here

Imagine each place setting graced with a funky Christmas stocking stuffed with silverware.

When you visit the link on the featured photo you'll see that two stocking sets are included. They indicate that a knife and fork and stocking come with each one. Although the photo does show a spoon, the description doesn't mention one.

Also, you can easily DIY this idea. Simply use a small stocking from other décor items you've collected, or make them. Place your silverware inside and you're done.

Use this idea to hold dinner cutlery for buffets. Place your silverware inside and tie a Christmas ribbon around it if the stocking is too loose to keep it held in place. Display them on your buffet to enhance your holiday presentation.

Wine Bottle Sleeves Here

Holiday Wine Bottle Cover Decorations

Accessorize the table with these funky Santa and Snowman wine bottle sleeves. Place them anywhere the wine is on display. Use them and re-use them as need be during the holiday season; they'll add whimsy to your holiday party.

Give them out as a Hostess or holiday gifts. When bagging or wrapping a bottle of wine isn't your thing, these decorations do the job.

If you're hosting a non-alcoholic dinner, place these around other bottles on the table, and when dinner is done, hand them out to the kids.

Theses type of accessories serve multiple purposes. Collect a variety of whimsical decorations so they're handy for additional table décor, or to have available as occasional gifts to hand out during the holidays.

Note that when you visit the link under the photo, additional information will be provided, including the price. These wine bottle sleeves don't come as a pair, you'll have to order each separately.

Get planning, the Holidays are around the corner - beat the rush this year!

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3 Charlie Brown Home Decor Ideas Because It's that Time of the Year!

Check out Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Here
Photo via Pixabay

Every year as we approach Halloween, these multi-generational classics return to us: Charlie Brown Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If You're an avid Charlie Brown fan, Check out these Reviewed Creative Suggestions for Peanuts Home Decor

Charlie Brown Crib Bedding Featured Here:

It's not easy to find Charlie Brown Crib Bedding, however, if you're willing to go the route of custom made, there's a lovely set available through an Etsy Seller.

This particular set includes five pieces; the quilt, a dust ruffle, bumper pads, a pillow and a sheet. Of course items included can change, so it's best to contact the seller directly to confirm what's included and to request any additional pieces you may want.

Best of all, if you're into supporting products made in the USA, this seller is located in the US and ships within the US, to Canada and to Australia. Be sure to check it out via the above link. The set is super cute!

Charlie Brown Christmas Village Here:

If you want to start a Christmas tradition, setting up a Christmas Village each year is a lovely trend that the whole family can enjoy.

For 25 years we've included setting up a village as part of our holiday routine. It's a ton of fun for the kids when they're little and even when they're not so little. We go the whole nine yards with fake Christmas snow, houses, accessories, people and even trees for the snow.

Photo Via Pixabay

We place ours on the top of a mid height cabinet so that it's out of the reach of little fingers.

To make each piece visible, place various height boxes (we use the boxes of some Christmas decorations) on the surface. Then hide the boxes with the fake snow. Creating levels makes the village look outstanding from a distance and gives it more of a realistic feeling with hills and valleys.

Be sure to check out the Charlie Brown Christmas Village pieces at the above link. Collect them, it's a blast!

Peanuts Outdoor Halloween Décor Here:

Before the Peanuts Christmas Village goes up, collect various Peanuts Halloween pieces for the front yard. Make it a full time fall and winter Peanuts celebration. Put out the Halloween yard decorations, watch Charlie Brown's Halloween video, then Thanksgiving and finally Charlie Brown's Christmas!

There's something about fall that brings the Peanuts Crew to life.

Be sure to check out the original choices for the yard featured at the above link. You'll find a creative wooden Peanuts gang billboard for the yard, custom made by an Etsy seller. It's colorful and most of all unique!

Additional Creative Charlie Brown Home Décor Items on this Featured Pinterest Board:

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Christmas Tree Alternatives

Christmas Tree Wall Decal - A Fathead
More Here

Last Sunday we talked about the convenience of Pull-Up-Christmas-Trees, and this week's feature is another Christmas Tree alternative that's even simpler...Christmas Tree Wall Decals.

TIME - The Gift We Give Ourselves

How many times during the holiday season have you heard someone say, "I'm so busy, I don't know how I'll get everything done"

If you haven't heard it yet, congratulations, you're surrounded by a bunch of calm people!

Christmas is just around the corner, and I personally know a few people who will either skip putting up a tree or are still undecided.

There's no need to skip the holiday season entirely: Christmas Tree Wall Decals are an excellent alternative to putting up a standard tree. Best of all, they're not expensive, making them easy to feature throughout the home.

Most Wall Decals Go Up Easy, and Come Down Easy

Although most decals go up easy and come down easy, one of the better brands is manufactured by a company called 'Fathead'.

Fathead's are a superior graphic that use a low-grade adhesive making them easy to remove without the worry of wall damage.

They're also made from tear resistant high-grade vinyl. However, you will be paying more to get this kind of quality, but they're still reasonable in comparison to putting up a fully decorated tree.

There are other manufacturers, styles, designs and price-ranges to choose from. When you visit the link under the above photo, you'll be taken to a page that features several other artsy choices.

Find a wall, put up a tree, then store it away til next year .... doesn't get much easier than that!

Have a Merry Christmas NOT a Harry Christmas!

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Pull Up Christmas Tree for Time Saving and Small Places

Pre-Lit Pull Up Christmas Tree Here
More Design Reviews as Well

Christmas time is often a mad rush.

Finding a way to navigate our schedules during the month of December can be an exercise in creative thinking.

With so much to do, planning to put up our Christmas Tree or more than one Christmas Tree can take up as much as an afternoon, evening, or even multiple days.

Yet most of us look forward to this time and make family memories while doing it. Whether it's watching holiday specials, sipping on cocoa, or basking in the aroma of baking cookies while we do all the trimmings ... all of it is something we know we'll look back on as memorable life moments.

HOWEVER .... When Space & Time Get In the Way .... Here's the Solution:

Pull Up Pre-Lit Christmas Trees

Did you know you can get a pre-lit pull up Christmas Tree that's fully decorated and that folds down small enough to fit in a storage bag?

Not only that, they make them in various styles, sizes, colors and designs.

The best part of pre-lit pull up Christmas Tree is that it's a tree you'll have for almost a lifetime. It will grow and shrink with your lifestyle. When you need or want multiple trees in your home for Christmas, several pull-up trees offer a convenient solution.

When you're a little older and you need to downsize, just put up your pull-up tree and you're good to go! After-all, they're not only practical, they're perfect for smaller spaces.

Check out the various design options here!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, .... a good decorating experience.

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