When the Holiday Catalogue from Stampin’ Up! came out this fall, I was really excited to see an advent calendar (page 38) as one of their new products.

The 25 mini boxes were decorated using the Christmas Countdown Project Kit plus the Christmas Countdown Stamp Set.  Unfortunately, I forgot to order the coordinating stamp set to complete the project and didn’t want to wait to put it together.  The Stampin’ Up! kits usually come with lots of extras, so I decided to put it together using nothing but the Project Kit, adhesive, and Dimensionals.

I followed the suggested instructions for decorating the mini boxes and simply omitted the stamping.  A few of the boxes required some alternate designs using the extra stickers, but overall it took me only 1/2 hour to complete the project!

I love how it turned out and I don’t even notice that there is no stamping at all!

The best thing about this advent calendar is that you can fill it with whatever you want: your favourite chocolates, treats, crafting goodies, etc.

My plan was to fill it with a Christmas bucket list of ideas.  Each day gives you a fun Christmas or winter related activity to do!

Then I saw the Lego advent calendars at Costco and realized I could easily reuse our old holiday Lego in this new countdown project!  (TIP: Keep each days Lego in a little zip bag so you don’t lose any pieces.)

Every year I personally look forward to the tea advent calendars, so this gave me the idea to save some money and make my own.  First, buy 25 of your favourite assorted teas and then have someone else put them in the boxes so you don’t know which ones are in what day!  I can’t wait to try this!

Now I have three great ideas for advent calendars, but only one calendar.  Either I need to buy and assemble two more projects or see if I can fit everything into the 2″ square mini boxes!

The Christmas Countdown Project Kit is currently available in the Stampin’ Up! store and if you order it this week it will give you plenty of time for delivery and to assemble before December 1st.

Leah