Thanksgiving has passed and as grateful as I was I am diving head first into the Christmas spirit!  A favorite of mine is the advent calendar.  I find myself reinventing it every year and this December is no different.  Boy do I have a great twist this time……

Buckets of goodies

You’ll need:

25 containers, I used small metal buckets in varying colors

5-8 yards of ribbon

Scraps of fabric, felt or tissue paper

Number stickers, small tags or coordinating craft paint

Small toys or candies to fill your containers

Small nails or screws; or removable wall hooks

To get started you need to scout out a space in your home with at least ten feet of running room.  I chose over a set of windows, but a mantel or even a blank wall would work great.  I tacked small brads (tiny, skinny nails) into the top of the header of my window trim, one on each end and another in the middle.  –You can’t see them, so leave them up for your next project!  Next string your ribbon across the span tying it tightly around the nails and leaving a little slack for aesthetic purpose.  Here’s the creative, and in my opinion, fun part!  Number each bucket 1 through 25.  You can adhere number stickers to each container, attach decorated tags, or even paint them for a more permanent project.  Now tie your remaining ribbon in varying lengths to each bucket.  –Anywhere from six to 18 inches long.  Hang each bucket to your pre-hung swag of ribbon by simply tying a knot or a bow along the line.  A small scrap of fabric or tissue paper in each container serves as the perfect little nest for whatever holiday goodies you decide to fill them with.  Each day of December your little elves will love to discover what treat is waiting for them in their very own banner of Advent!

Thanksgiving has passed and as grateful as I was I am diving head first into the Christmas spirit!  A favorite of mine is the advent calendar.  I find myself reinventing it every year and this December is no different.  Boy do I have a great twist this time……

Buckets of goodies

You’ll need:

25 containers, I used small metal buckets in varying colors

5-8 yards of ribbon

Scraps of fabric, felt or tissue paper

Number stickers, small tags or coordinating craft paint

Small toys or candies to fill your containers

Small nails or screws; or removable wall hooks

To get started you need to scout out a space in your home with at least ten feet of running room.  I chose over a set of windows, but a mantel or even a blank wall would work great.  I tacked small brads (tiny, skinny nails) into the top of the header of my window trim, one on each end and another in the middle.  –You can’t see them, so leave them up for your next project!  Next string your ribbon across the span tying it tightly around the nails and leaving a little slack for aesthetic purpose.  Here’s the creative, and in my opinion, fun part!  Number each bucket 1 through 25.  You can adhere number stickers to each container, attach decorated tags, or even paint them for a more permanent project.  Now tie your remaining ribbon in varying lengths to each bucket.  –Anywhere from six to 18 inches long.  Hang each bucket to your pre-hung swag of ribbon by simply tying a knot or a bow along the line.  A small scrap of fabric or tissue paper in each container serves as the perfect little nest for whatever holiday goodies you decide to fill them with.  Each day of December your little elves will love to discover what treat is waiting for them in their very own banner of Advent!

By Emily Loverin

Emily Loverin is our creative go-to-girl.  Her column Everything-Emily incorporates projects from fine arts to crafts and always keeps even the smallest designers in mind.  She is a Scituate native where she currently lives with her husband Marc, and their three children Addison, Charlie and Jake.  Visit EVERYTHING EMILY to learn more about her services, featuring full service interior design, planning of events, house staging, mural painting, invitations & graphic design.