Advent Calendars

I've come to the sad realization that if an advent calendar doesn't have candy in it......it doesn't get used.

For instance the above calendar.  Two years ago I bought this thinking that candy could be used in it...No.  The squares are much too small for even tootsie rolls.  That is the exact reason I made my Halloween calendar so huge!  I wanted some good candy to be able to fit in it.  I thought to myself  "the kids don't need candy every morning and we can still use the advent calendar without the candy."

Example #2

We've opened two or three doors. 

Example #3

Scripture advent.  Looks like we've done 2 days.

Earlier this month I found a tutorial for a really cute "christmas lights" advent calendar.  I can't for the life of me remember whose blog I found it on, so if anyone sees this and says "hey that was my idea" please let me know so I can give you credit.

It's made with felt and string and looks better actually when it's not weighed down with candy. The felt "bulbs" are just stuffed up inside the base.  They just pull out and can have treats put inside.  I put starbursts in it, and had to stick a pin through the bulb and base to keep them in.

I have a feeling we'll have no trouble keeping up with this one.  Maybe remembering to do this one, will help us remember to do the others.