I love creating things. All sorts of things. I always have several projects on the go at one time usually in a few different mediums.
This week I am working on finishing up some Advent Calendars. My goal this year was to make 12 different Advent calendars to sell, with a chocolate theme. The goal was for each one to be one-of-a kind, and to make one and a bit a month from January until October.
So as the year has passed, I have been slowly working away at them, creating here and there, and having a lot of fun doing it.
I did have a few hiccups along the way but have worked through those. The craft store being closed for a few months was a bit of a problem, so I gave up the idea of at least one a month and used what I had and added finishing bits later, once I was able to source items I needed in person. I did try ordering a few things on the internet but was not so happy with the quality of products that arrived, so chose to wait until I had what I needed to finish each calendar the way I wanted. Really it was a great project to get me working on interesting new things.
I have had so much fun working on these, figuring out how to best do what I envisioned in my mind, and also making sure they would be easily shippable.
Why Advent calendars? I have made my mom an Advent calendar each year since we moved away from Winnipeg, where I grew up. My mom LOVES Christmas and being away means it isn’t quite the same, so I have made her a calendar each year, and have experimented, tried, and explored many ways of creating (and mailing) them. I also usually make an Advent Calendar for one friend. Always a different friend, usually someone I wish I could give a big hug to, but living away makes it more difficult, so I send a 25 day hug in the mail. I have made Advent calendars for 3 year olds, and 40 year olds. I have chosen a theme for the contents (peacock), or made a calendar that is refillable for years to come (holiday socks). The most important part to me is the love, happiness, and joy I put into each one as I made it. Thinking about the receiver of the calendar and putting love into it each step of the way.
The calendars I made this year have lots of thought and positive vibes put into them, even though I don’t know where they will end up and who will enjoy using them this December, and in the future. I infused each with cacao love and chocolate vibes.
If you don’t celebrate Advent you can still use these as a countdown, mini surprises, or even in January. There is no right or wrong way to use them, but as someone who has always celebrated Advent these are called Advent Calendars.
There are 12 Advent Calendars, each unique. Each celebrating chocolate. Some are fillable so you can use them year after year. Others are more of a count down or count up style. A few can even hang up all year long.
Newsletter subscribers will get a link a day before I share the Advent Calendars with everyone, so if you aren’t signed up and are interested, I suggest signing up soon. I hope to launch these just after Canadian Thanksgiving (October 11th).
The first year we were in Ottawa I ordered 25 mini bags with trees stamped on them from Etsy and I have used those as a holder of chocolate each Advent. I usually use last bites to fill them every year. I love how I can use the same mini bags each year and change up what treats are inside them if I want. Who am I kidding, it’s always chocolate.
These Advent Calendars do not come with chocolate, but you are welcome to add your own chocolate to them. I made this decision to keep cost down and to not need to worry about shipping chocolate around the world. So, for the fillable calendars I made, you can be as creative as you want with what to fill them with, though I will send some ideas along with them in case you want some ideas.
I’d love to know if you have a favourite Advent Calendar story. I love hearing about Advent Calendars.
