Christmas Project #3 : Advent Boxes

This one came straight out of Martha Stewart Kids and can be seen online here.

I picked up the boxes at our local Ben Franklin. I went with three different sizes for variety - each will hold a special treat. First off was painting two coats on each box - I went with Making Memories Cranberry (of course)(11), Avocado (5), and Paper Bag (8).

After the paint dried I laid them out to get a feel for their placement and picked some numbers to work with. I decided to repeat some of the same elements I used in the December daily album. Circle numbers from www.everyjotandtittle.etsy.com, chipboard from Basic Grey, and foam numbers from American Crafts.

After I had my plan worked out, I painted the chipboard numbers cream and then sealed each of the boxes with Mod Podge before attaching/adhering the numbers.

Now I just need to figure out on which wall I am going to hang these and what goodies will go inside each one...

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92 thoughts

  1. Tina says…
    11/08/2007

    you r fast!!!
    love them.

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  2. christen says…
    11/08/2007

    wow! you really are in the holiday spirit, these are too cute.

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  3. Lucinda says…
    11/08/2007

    3M makes a great product that you could use for putting these on a wall. Command adhesive Picture Hanging Strips. I use it often for lightweight things when I don't want to make a nail hole.
    Now as to what to put in them???
    You could make coupons to do his favorite things. Popcorn and a video, help mom make cookies...things like that. Otherwise you could end up w/24 pieces of trinkets!
    Can't wait to how it turns out!

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  4. Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens says…
    11/08/2007

    super cute, as always. love your stuff... you could place them in a line on a shelf...

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  5. Anna-Marie Still says…
    11/08/2007

    Very cool - but now I feel completely cheezy and "un-Martha-like" because this year we are giving our daughter a Polly Pocket Advent Calendar and our boys a Lego Advent Calendar.
    I'll definately have to bookmark this idea for next year - It's so cool!
    Be sure to share posts that feature Simon opening some of his boxes - can't wait to see his face sparkle with glee!

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  6. Karen says…
    11/08/2007

    my tip: adhere magnet sheet paper to the bottoms, stick them to a cookie sheet and display it on a book stand or velcro it to a wall...I love the way mine turned out!

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  7. MichelleW says…
    11/08/2007

    you're too awesome for words...
    love it!

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  8. Carrie says…
    11/08/2007

    WOW - jaw dropping.
    Will you come do some domesticated crafty stuff like this for me please?

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Heather says…
    11/08/2007

    I love them!!! Such a cute idea!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. joy says…
    11/08/2007

    okay, like they say on radio...longtime listener first time caller (or commenter) okay so its not my very first time commenting, but I just HAD to....this looks SO FRIGGING AWESOME...I just want to eat them sitting out on the table like that....can't wait to see them displayed!!! can you give us dimension? they look big, but I'm guessing they aren't as big as the look to me. Thanks for mentioning the shimelle.com class too! She is the best!! We just took engagement photos for her and the boy while they were in Seattle!! We love her:)

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  11. leslie says…
    11/08/2007

    okay.
    that is neat.
    adding it to my list.
    of great things ali does.
    that i want to try.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Denise says…
    11/08/2007

    Cute, cute, cute!!!!!! I am just getting over how amazing the ATC spinner and acrylic journal are...now this today! I'm so glad to have found your blog Ali - you have a wonderful spirit!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. giosmama26 says…
    11/08/2007

    Can I just say how much I LOVE this!!!!
    This is amazing, great thinking and even more, thanks for sharing. SOOOOOOOO neat.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Nancy says…
    11/08/2007

    Another one here that wants to know how you'll hang them!

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  15. katie says…
    11/08/2007

    oh this is such a totally cool idea Ali--you never stop--amazing!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Teresa says…
    11/08/2007

    Well...you did it again!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. lydia says…
    11/08/2007

    can't tell from the photo. are these paper or wooden boxes? fantastic either way!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. marty says…
    11/08/2007

    oh my gosh, this is such a cool advent calendar! thanks for such a great display and idea! ho ho

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Michelle says…
    11/08/2007

    You have made a good idea great. Love it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Lanne says…
    11/08/2007

    These are so cute. I was thinking of doing a similar thing and stacking it like a tree shape.. larger boxes for the closer to christmas dates on the bottom and the smaller ones on the top..
    But I priced the boxes here and soon changed my mind! (about $75 for just the boxes!) but maybe noodle boxes would work as well?

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. amanda kay says…
    11/08/2007

    Wow! these are so stinking cute!! I just might have to take a cue from you and do something like this for my younger niece. Love it!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Laura Reaux says…
    11/08/2007

    SO adorable! I love how you stayed with the Christmasy colors.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Sara says…
    11/08/2007

    Great idea! Love how it turned out. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. catherine feegel-erhardt says…
    11/08/2007

    beautiful...
    how do you hang it / them?
    are they on a backing?
    catherine

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jill says…
    11/08/2007

    Brilliant idea! I SO love this!

    Reply 0 Replies

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