And they are up.
Decided to go the "tack in the wall" route - using small thumb tacks to attach the boxes right into the wall. The holes will be covered with a large wall calendar when the boxes come down after Christmas. They seem to be holding pretty darn good right now.
Wanted to address some of the comments/questions from the yesterday's post:
1. these are paper/chipboard boxes not wood
2. box dimensions are 2.5x2.5, 3.5x3.5, and 4.5x4.5 inches
3. loved the idea of a big old frame to go around the outside of the grouped boxes - may try that one next year
4. this project actually goes really quick - I did it in an evening (between dishes, getting Simon to bed, having a glass of wine, etc)
5. loved all the different ideas for sticking them to the wall (or some sort of backing such as a cork board or magnets)
I also got an email from Shannon that included a PDF of Advent "experiences" - little actions that can be cut and placed in an Advent calendar. I emailed Shannon and she was cool with me sharing the PDF here: HolidaySpiritBoxPrompts. Here's what she wrote in the email:
Love this idea and will be including some of these into the boxes.
Simon and I hit a really cool holiday sale this morning called Christmas Memories - if you are local it is still happening tomorrow and is completely worth checking out. Lots of delightful vintage stuff and beautiful wreaths filled with rosehips:
I met a lady who goes every year just to pick up one of these wreaths. She said the one she got last year lasted until Valentines.
As we were driving home this morning I came to the conclusion that I like this idea of stretching out the season - this is the first time I have ever actually pulled holiday stuff out in November. I am using my time now for preparation, for gathering + going through what I already own (and forget about from year to year). And changing my outlook to include Thanksgiving within this same general season rather than looking at it as a separate holiday...or the one to get through before Christmas can finally come around again.
I am looking forward to the possibility of simply enjoying the season: having people over, sitting in the living room lit only by the tree lights, reading, watching holiday movies, listening to holiday music.



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69 comments
Awesome! What a treasure you have made for Simon to help count down the days until Christmas! I just received your book this week and look forward to having some time this afternoon to read.
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Yeah, after going to the sale *twice* yesterday, those rose hips and hops wreaths were calling out to me so loudly! = ) I have to say though, we sell both through our business so I can go to our shop and make my own, so excited!
The boxes look so great up there Ali! I'd want to save them and put them up only for the season though, almost makes them more exciting and special.
Looks wonderful!
~Camille
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I can't believe you are doing Christmas projects already. I'm still not even ready for Thanksgiving.
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This is a really great project. Looks really easy and fast to make. Great pictures too.
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I love how the advent boxes look so graphic on the wall. I think I'd like to try the frame idea too. Maybe attach the boxes to something that's been put inside the frame, like a cork board covered with cool paper, or open chicken wire, something fun. Then you wouldn't have to take boxes off the the wall each year. Excellent job.
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I'm soo loving those boxes cool idea and they seem fun and easy to do
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Ali, I too love the boxes.
I met you last weekend at CK in Seattle on Sat. morning at your Top 10 class. I asked you to sign two copies of Life Artist and you graciously did so. One copy was for a friend of mine. This copy was stolen from my car last night. I'm hoping that I can ship you another copy that you will sign for her.Please let me know how I may reach you if this is possible. Thanks.
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The boxes look great! It gets me in the mood for the big Christmas countdown! Shelley
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love all of your ideas! :)
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Oh love that wreath! Love your projects you've been making too. Super ideas! Thanks for sharing! I was wondering how you were going to hook the boxes up to the wall.
Your always full of inspiration! I should TRY starting early on Christmas season too and incorporate it with Thanksgiving. Make life easier! ha
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Ali, your words and ideas have definately gotten me into more of the holiday mood. Can't wait to start trying out some of these new ideas.
thanks for your constant inspirition!
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That wreath is stunning.
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I haven't read the last few days . . .we've been getting ready for the Nutcracker around here. Talk about celebrating the season early, huh?
But wanted to share that we've used a plastic slip pocket advent calendar the past couple of years with activities instead of goodies as well. It makes the month so much more enjoyable, as we don't do everything all at once. We have days set aside for Christmas pj shopping, to visit the mall Santa, read Christmas stories and the like. I'll be switching out some of our old activities for some of the ones on the pdf file you attached. Thanks!
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That wreath is magnificent...I'm going to be in Eugene next weekend (after not having been there for about 12 years - it was sadly that long ago that I was a student at UofO - i must be old). I'm so excited to come and explore...and would love to know if there is someplace that I can buy one of those glorious wreaths while I'm there. Do you know who makes them?
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those boxes are just so cool! they turned out really good.
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Hi Ali do you know where I can find similar boxes? I don't live near a Ben Franklin Store. I have looked at Micheal's and they don't have them and I can't find anything online either. Please help. I love this idea and really want to make it.
Thanks so much!
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I do a daily activity advent with my kids every year. I must be on my 11th or 12th year now. Fun to read your ideas.
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I tried this same theory last year. I pushed past the weird feelings I had from starting to celebrate Christmas and the season early and just did. I watched Christmas movies, listened to Christmas music, started thinking about decorations and even did a Christmas Art Journal. It was a lot of fun and it really allowed me to actually enjoy the season more. If I wait until after Thanksgiving there is so much going on that I have a hard to time relaxing and enjoying it.
Just thought I'd share how I agree with starting early.
http://jennifermartinovici.typepad.com/photos/christmas_art_journal/cover.html
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what a gorgeous wreath....
I've actually gotten out some of our Christmas decorations - our son is 3 and he is showing more interest already - last year he was scared to death of Santa - this year he remembers WHAT Santa gave him.
will try the Advent boxes next year with the spirit of Christmas list.
thanks for the inspiration. Merry merry Happy happy... :)
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Thank you, Shannon, for sharing with Ali. And thank you, Ali, for sharing with us! What a wonderful list of ideas! Blessings, Patricia
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