We’re still plugging away at the kitchen, so a full progress update is coming soon (not post #561 — more like #19). This week should bring some big wins: new countertops and a working sink at last. While that’s underway, we’re easing into the holiday season. This will be our first real Christmas settled into the new house, and we want to soak up every festive moment. We moved here on December 13th last year, so technically we were around for the holidays, but we were living out of boxes and Clara was too little to appreciate the magic. This year, though, we’re going all in. I started by making a simple advent calendar to enjoy with Clara.
Here’s how it looks from Clara’s perspective — for now she’s still shorter than me, and I’m trying to enjoy every sweet, small-day while they last.
The whole project cost only $7.99 because I used items we already owned and bought one inexpensive piece: a scarf hanger from Ikea.
Picture me in Ikea when the idea hit: I walked past the scarf hanger, paused, and thought there had to be a clever way to use it. I stared at it for a few minutes, counted its openings and realized it had 28 slots — close enough to 25. The extra circles became free spaces and the rest would hold numbered tags and ornaments. Suddenly, an instant advent calendar was born. It’s a fun, low-cost daily activity: each day we’ll hang an ornament on the tree together as we work our way through the countdown.
I actually put it together on December 2nd (yes, a bit last-minute), but we still haven’t set up the tree — classic procrastination. For now we enjoy the ornaments in their display and plan to set up the tree soon so we can “catch up” and hang several ornaments at once, then proceed day by day from there.
How I made it: I used metal ornament hooks we already had and looped ornaments through them if they didn’t have hooks. Each hook was hung over the small circle or the bar above the circle so the ornament would drop into and be framed by the circle beneath. I added some quirky ornaments to represent our other kiddo, Burger — like a tiny hamburger ornament I found on clearance after last Christmas:
And a snowflake frame with his little mug inside, from a few years back.
We even included a disco ball because our house loves to dance — nothing to do with Burger, except that when we hang it we might celebrate by twirling him around in joy.
The tags were simple to make. I cut about 25 tag-shaped pieces of cardstock using one as a template, punched holes to slip them over the ornament hooks, and hand-drew the numbers. Before free-handing the numerals I looked at a few type samples for inspiration, sketched each number in pencil, then traced over them with pen once I liked the shape. They’re handmade and imperfect, but they have character.
To hang the calendar without damaging the closet door, I used a removable adhesive hook, so no nails or holes were required.
We’ve got a few holiday projects lined up alongside the kitchen work: a tabletop tree, a full-sized tree, and outdoor lights to make the house feel festive. I’ve also joined a Secret Santa with a group of fellow bloggers, which means I’ll be making and mailing a few small gifts and looking forward to receiving a surprise package in return.
Participating bloggers include Mrs. Limestone at Brooklyn Limestone (the organizer), Michelle at 4 Men 1 Lady, Bryn at Bryn Alexandra, Emily at Emily A. Clark, Shelley at House of Smiths, Melissa at The Inspired Room, Janell at Isabella and Max Rooms, Paloma at La Dolce Vita, Jacin at Lovely Little Details, Nicole at Making it Lovely, Marian at Mustard Seed Interiors, Lauren at Pure Style Home, Tanya at Save the Date for Cupcakes, Michelle at TenJune, Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick, and Laura at You Stir Me. It should be a lot of fun, though I admit I get stage fright and worry about picking something creative enough. Hopefully a few days of advent-calendar activities will jumpstart my gift ideas.
Oh — West Elm asked us to share some of our favorite holiday picks on their site (this was just for fun, not a paid promotion). We enjoyed rounding up items that inspire our seasonal decorating and entertaining.
How about you? Have you started decorating for the holidays yet? Are you finished already, or just getting started? Are you using an advent calendar this year, or turning an everyday item from Ikea into a holiday hack? Have you joined any Secret Santa exchanges that led to perfect matches — or awkward surprises? I’m hoping my gifts land well and that I don’t totally choke when it’s time to reveal mine.
Update: We also put together a list of favorite holiday décor and gift ideas on our site — many items are budget-friendly and under $15.