Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Advent Tree

December1

Remember last year’s advent tree project?  I put it up again this year with different branches (the ones I stole from fallen trees grew too brittle to use again).  Still love this project – so cute and the girls were so excited waiting to get their first little treat after dinner.

Tonight’s treat were little $.50 stuffed toys I picked up at Ikea this summer.  The rest of the boxes, bags, and stockings are filled with leftover Halloween candy, trinkets from the dollar section at Target, and a few coupons to stay up “late” and watch Holiday specials.  The girls get so excited.  Sabrina asks a dozen times a day when she can open her surprise.

The original project that I based this on used manzanita branches.  I haven’t found any in local shops and most that I have found online are pretty pricey and/or the shipping makes me gasp.  At Old Time Pottery (which strangely has little in the way of pottery – just big pots to plant things in), I found these bleached willow branches which gave the same effect for $1.99 per 3 branches.  Score.  The original used foam to stabilize the branches.  I used an unopened bottle of salad dressing to keep it from being top heavy.  Some of my gift boxes from last year aren’t holding up well so I will have to replace a few next year.  But this fun tradition is here to stay.

posted under Crafty
2 Comments to

“Advent Tree”

  1. On December 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 am debbie Says:

    I am SO glad u posted this. I forgot all about your idea and was going to go buy a cheap and lame “advent calendar” at a store this weekend. Thank you for the great reminder, I LOVE it. I’m all over it this weekend! Can’t wait to get creative and crafty.
    From what I can see, I think that you have two presents in one box. How do the girls do with that? I am thinking my girls would fight over who got to open the box or find the right number on the tree etc. My girls are 3 and barely 5. Everything is a competition. Any ideas?

  2. On December 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 am Steph Says:

    I do remember that from last year! I love it! I have been looking for an advent calendar, but can’t find one I really like. This is such a great idea. Can you make me one? 🙂