i.e. How To Get Rid Of Lots Of The Halloween Candy Without Being A Big Meanie’
Yes, it still feels a tad bit early for Christmas crafts AND I am not even that big on “Christmas Crafts” or even “Crafts” in general, but, holy cannoli, the Halloween candy situation has gotten desperate around here. I need to get this candy away from me the kids. In a stroke of parental genius, Andy and I made Advent calendars with the kids.
4 kids x 24 days of advent this year = 96 pieces of candy
This is the “Mommy-Made” version for Gladys’ calendar.
Each packet is made of a small Christmas-themed scrapbooking sheet folded in half and sewn shut. If I was a more crafty type, I would have come up with a prettier way to hang the packets. Maybe cuter clips? Or spray-painted clothespins? I leave it to the experts.
Instructions
Step 1: Start with a 4 1/2 inch x 6 1/2 inch sheet of scrapbooking paper; Step 2: Fold in half and mark date; Step 3: Sew two open edges shut using a long stitch; Step 4: Fill with a small piece of candy; Step 5: Sew final edge shut and hang on a line with a clothes pin
We kept it simple as simple as possible, so that it would be doable. The kids even stapled theirs closed, instead of sewing the third edge like I did. (By the time he got to packet number 24, Matthias was just stapling instead of sewing. No need for perfect in this project. It is for a child.)
And because we let them do as much by themselves as possible, they eagerly gave up their candy. (insert evil laugh here)
Pardon my Proud Mama Moment, but have to say I was pretty impressed with my 6 year olds and 5 year olds ability to operate a sewing machine. It helps that my machine has speed control and needle-down. I wish I could find a cheap model with those features so they wouldn’t have to use my sewing machine. Those features are great for a beginning sewer.
There were several hair-tearing moments of frustration that are inevitable when trying to manage a hands-on activity with such a large young crowd, but we managed to make 3 sets that Sunday afternoon.
This will be our second year of doing an advent calendar (and first year of it being handmade). We are slowly building up our family traditions and I think this one might be a keeper.
What about you? Does your family do an advent calendar? What kind?
(Feel free to share links to tutorials for us to enjoy!)
That is an amazing idea, and having the kids help is half the fun. We do the lego Advent. The family loves it and it just so easy to do. I have lots of crazy things I need to do this time of year so I’ve given up the stress of trying to make anything else for advent.
We did the lego calendar last year! That’s a fun one!
What a great idea! I might have to steal it.. 🙂
I love it! I don’t have any extra candy to get rid of, but I may make this anyway. I think the clothespins work perfectly for holding the little packets up. =)