Notes from A Cottage Industry

Weekly words to live by.

Weekly words to live by.

Weekly words to live by.

Weekly words to live by.

What are your thoughts about "Christmas in July?"

....er....October?

(Welp, this post was started in July, worked on in August, (and September!) and now, finally published in...October.)

Ugh.

(What can I say? It's been quite a year.....and a half, give or take.)

...

Where was I?

Oh yes, Christmas in July. You've most likely heard the phrase, and of course the Hallmark Channel commits to the idea in the most major way, with daily Christmas movies all of the month of July long, but I was thinking of the "Christmas in July" concept because I have an Advent Calendar project I created. 

It seems to me it is much easier (and much more affordable) to create and assemble it over a longer time period..(Truth be told, I first thought of this idea last December, and of course, by then I was far too behind the eight ball to get anything made, sent out, or set up, and...well, you get the picture.)

Anyway.

I had so much fun creating my advent calendar, that I ended up creating not one, but two different styles, and I'm going to share them with you over two posts. Hopefully they will inspire you to create an advent calendar of your own for a special person in your life. Both Advent Calendar set ups will be available in my etsy shop for any of you who are not wanting to create one from scratch!

The first Advent Calendar is an assortment of bags and boxes, all numbered 1 through 24, meant to be tucked into a basket, crate, or even a small suitcase to display. I created this basket version with my Ralph in mind. (This is why I got inspired to do one in neutral color tones. I was thinking it would look a bit more masculine, and, the fun thing about it is that it can go with any color and style theme.) While not created in the traditional red and green Christmas colors, little adornments will add the customized pops of any color you choose! I'm going to place this on the bench at the foot of our bed come December first, and I think it's going to be perfect there.

It really was quite a simple project, and I had so much fun gathering the bags and boxes to hold the little gifties.

I designed two pages of number sheets so I could print them in two different colors. (I chose to go with white and kraft brown to keep it neutral, as you can see...)

My Christmas-y feel comes from the little adornments I am adding to the various packages...

As I said, if you love this idea, and do not want to start from scratch yourself, this kit is now available in my etsy shop. I've created it in two versions, a hard copy here, complete with packages and ribbon, and as an instant download, here, which enables you to print your tags on any color cardstock you choose. (All white for a snowy, classic look? Blush pink and grays for that soft romantic feel? Terra cotta and olive for a boho style? Traditional red and green? It's up to you!) You also can get as fancy or plain as you like...matte your numbers to another color, add candy canes, holly, bells...whatever...or not.

The real beauty of starting this project in July August September October is that we all still have from now through the last day of November to fill those little prezzie packages! 

Oh! And if you are thinking that buying twenty four gifts will cost you a bundle, think again. Some of the gift ideas off the top of my head are coffee or fast food gift cards, candy, Christmas ornaments, and pretty much half of the clever products found in the Dollar Store.....

Also, the items in the wrappings need not be purchased gifts. You can fill the with children's packages with riddles, homemade gift certificates for playdates, hot cocoa by the fire, and adventures to the library (or where ever...) or a "skip a chore" card. For your sweetheart, homemade certificates for a foot rub or back massage, a favorite homemade dessert any day they like, or a sofa picnic while watching a movie on demand of their choice. (In my home this would most likely be be a night of binge watching Judge Judy episodes, with the added promise of me not rolling my eyes at the number of "former friend" cases.) Making an advent calendar for a best friend could include motivational thoughts for the day, mints, or even some super soft socks, Hopefully you are getting the idea....The possibilities are endless! (My advent calendar kits also include an idea list of affordable items compiled fr you in two lists; one for kids and one for grownups, to place in the packages.)

What are your thoughts on the idea of a fun, and possibly unexpected advent calendar for someone special in your life? Is this something you would create?

**Next post I will share the second style (a wall hanging version) of the advent calendar I have created for my precious grands. 

Weekly words to live by.