The advent has always been a special time in our home. It’s an important part of our holiday traditions. But we have never done something quite this elaborate. I accept no credit as I have been so inspired by all of the wonderful ideas in blog land. First there was Cassie’s darling advent tree from Hi Sugarplum! Completely adorable. I was going for a tree as well, but as you will find out . . . that didn’t quite work out so well! I just love this. 
I was also inspired by these darling bags to use as a countdown to Christmas. Thanks to this amazing post at it is what it is I was able to print the countdown numbers 
Aren’t these amazing? She did such an great job. I love the little bags. So in the eleventh hour {last night at 9:00 PM} I decide to whip some up for the kids. The plan was to marry the two ideas by making bags to hang on a tree. I didn’t have that cute ribbon laying around, but I made do and created 24 little advent bags for the children to open. They are filled with strips of paper that list fun things to do as a family. It’s all about spending time together and having the children look forward to fun things each night. 
If you decide to do something similar, be sure you look at a calendar when writing out the activities. You don’t want to promise watching a Christmas movie with the kids if you have a holiday party planned that night. Just be sure to have your calendar near by. 
So after printing out the darling numbers from here I glued them on brown lunch bags. I cute about six inches off each bag and then folded them over. 
After a hole punch and slip tying some ribbon through, they were ready to go. This is where we ran into some trouble! 
I had intended to hang them on a very chic little tree I found, but there were way too many. It looked altogether ridiculous and was sure to topple over. That’s what I get for not planning ahead and doing this late at night. So I scoured the house and decided to use this table and the shutter {what? you don’t hang your advent calendar on your shutters? how odd!} 
My husband’s only concern, “Do the shutters still open?” Why yes, dear, they do! 
The time spent last night was well worth it. The kids were so excited to see this all set up for them. They are even more excited to find out what activity is in each bag. Do you have a fun way to countdown to Christmas?
oooooo. I love your opening shutters, and what a cute advent calendar. Thanks for sharing ;-).
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
Courtney, it turned out darling! I love the use of the shutters!! We have the "Twelve Days of Christmas" at our house. Each of those days the girls get a little "something" to open, sometimes the wrapping is part of the present (little coin purse, for example). We've given them things like lip gloss, hair ties, soap, a movie ticket, a small gift card to a fav place (Zaxby's, Starbucks, Barnes and Noble). It becomes part of their Christmas presents, and gives them things to use when they are off for school break. We also do this for my 92 year old mil! She LOVES it. We include things for her such as her fav hand lotion, holiday scented candle and such. I've been meaning to do a blog post about it, just been under the weather the past few days, so things came to a screeching halt!
how unique, courtney!!!
What a genious idea! I love it!
I love it! It's perfect on your shutter. So festive, too! It brought back memories reading some of your activities. We always piled in the car in our PJs as kids and went for a drive to see all the Christmas lights. It was so much fun. I love your idea of having activities to do as a family. Spending time together as a family and making those memories is so important.
I love that you put family activities in each bag! Awesome idea!
You know, I actually like yours the best out of all the advent calendars that I've seen because it's just about *family*! I love that the kiddos will be all excited, not because of candy or toys, but because of some good ol' fashioned makin' memories time. LOVE. In fact I think I might be a little teary-eyed… (c:
http://loveallthingsbrightandbeautiful.blogspot.com
They look just great as is, nobody will no that they were meant to be hung on a tree except us : )
I am kind of embarrassed to say that I just have a silly little calendar that has a present which my son moves over every morning to the next date…you have inspired me to want to whip something up though!
Paula
Love this idea! You are so creative! and thank you for the blog love! I appreciate your visit! I'll have to post a link to yout site soon!
Grandma wishes she were there to be part of the wonderful memories you are creating. Riley & Grady sure have special parents. 🙂
Adorable! What a great idea and I bet the kids were so excited!! I really need to do one one year!
How awesome this this?! You have the cutest ideas for kids! I love how you attached them to the shutters- and I knew I saw a two-tiered tray at your place! . . . fun to see your handwriting too:)
Those are so cute. I think hanging them from the shutters was a genius idea — they look great there!
Calendar looks great! I'm wondering if it's too late to whip something up for tomorrow. Hmmm….
What a great idea! I love advent calanders we had them going up and I just bought my little baby one. Obviously he won't understand it this year, but hey I will enjoy it! Love the idea of a homemade one and great idea to hang them on the shutters!
You are seriously Miss Creative! ALWAYS coming up with something new 🙂 I love it and I'm sure your little ones will too- it looks like you'll make such fun and special memories!
I love your version! the kids don't care how it's packaged…they just want the treat! How'd last night go with the first one? We decided to cut down the cone each day so we could get a better visual of how many days remain before Christmas. I like your notes of treats too…sing us a Christmas Carol, Courtney! 🙂
Oh my gosh! Courtney, it's adorable. This is certainly one thing your sweet kids will always remember (: We had a calender that was a different little velcro animal for the manger scene to put up for each day, and still to this day I remember just running from bed to the family room to put up my character as soon as I woke up!
These are seriously darling. What a lovely idea.
You are the cutest Courtney! Your special advent calendar is adorable! We have been doing one since before we had our daughter…it's so fun for all of us.