I love advent calendars and there are so many great ones out there. I have been dreaming of making this advent calendar since about February- and it took me about that long to get all the lids from baby wipe containers I needed. What I love about it is that I control what’s in it. As Halloween reminded me my kids and artificial flavors/ colors are just not a good mix. I love treats and enjoy sharing them with my kids but a calendar like this where you control the treat is the best way to go for us. Be sure not to miss my screw ups so you can learn from them!
- Gather your materials. You will need 24 or 25 ( depending on if you include 25 in your calendar – I do) flip top wipes lids. Lots of things have these lids all mine came from baby wipes. You will also need spray paint for the lids- Make sure it is for PLASTIC. I grabbed mine in a rush and the red was good for plastic the white…not so much. I had some flaking already. The paint made for plastic should be a ok. Also a drop cloth, canvas or a poster paper, ribbon, christmas themed card stock, glitter number stickers, white card stock, hot glue , fine tiped pen, pinking sheers, plain paper.
- Start by spray painting your lids, I did the inside then the outside. Let dry.
- Spray paint your poster if it’s not the color you want it to be or like me just want it to be extra pretty.
- Now make the numbers. I cut one piece of christmas themed card stock per flip top and one smaller piece of white card stock, and put the number stickers on. I used an extra lid to make sure it would cover the brand on the top.
- I laid the paper numbers out before gluing them on. You may notice I ran out of the number 2. I was so careful to make sure I had enough number 1s … so I ran back to the store. I wanted this to look whimsical and home made so I didn’t use a ruler, I just eyeballed everything.
- Some of the lids still had the sticky residue from where they were attached to their plastic container which was great for spacing them out. Many still needed to be hot glued on.
- I glued the paper on with hot glue, regular white glue just didn’t work.
- Make a bow by tying two loops together ( think tying your shoes with bunny ears) hot glue the ends to the back. Sorry about the dark photos I have a 16 month old who thinks we are 2 parts of one person and needs to be attached at all times, I had to maximize the happy seperation time to the fullest.
- Now time to write out all the activities I balanced them out with lots of activities like an indoor snowball fight, cutting our own Christmas Tree and setting out our nativity scene as well as a few candy canes, small toys and baking cookies. I also put some giving back like choosing a toy for toys for tots, and canned food for our local food bank.
- I cut each sentance out with pinking sheers and popped them in the doors.
- Hang Up. As you can see I have a 25 door on ours, many people do not add actual Christmas Day. I did because last year my son opened his 24th door and proclaimed it to be Christmas and while it didn’t take too long to explain the confusion he was genuinely disapointed. So I added one to open on Christmas Day too.
I hope you like this, even if you don’t please lie to me. I have been bursting at the seams to make this and share it with you all, and finally I had enough time to manage! Back to stuff for the kids to make and learn tomorrow !
Melitsa says
Oh my! What fun! I love interactive displays at home. It looks really cute! Would love to do this with Quaker Oats containers. Cutting a hole in the top or dangling bits out. The boys would love it. how i would get it to stay on the wall would be a challenge though.
We have 3 different advent calendars for each boy. We rotate each day who gets to do what. I don’t remember but they do who is on which calendar. We have one religious scene, one boxes full of action play activities and one that tells the story.
Ally says
i LOVE this! I don’t have babies anymore so no wipes lids but I’m going to try and come up with something similar. Every year I wish I had my own advent calendar but I wait too long. So this year you’ve inspired me, I’m going to do it!
Elissa says
I love this!! I don’t have babies anymore, but will need to think of something! I have a neighbor with babies so I’ll see if she can save lids for me.
Jenae {I Can Teach My Child!} says
We are totally on the same wave length…I have been saving all my baby wipe lids for this EXACT reason! 🙂
amy @teachmama says
Allie!! I love, love, love this!! We’re past the baby wipes stage (yay!!) but I will pin and share and post this idea as much as possible because it ROCKS!! You are one creative mama, my friend!!
xoxoxo
admin says
Thanks ladies !
Jenae I believe it we think up the same stuff so often, I can’t tell you how many times I think I wonder if anyone has done XYZ and stumble upon it no where except your blog ! I can’t wait to see yours it’s going to be so awesome , your stuff always is.
Amanda says
I love it, it’s a great idea….too bad I didn’t think to save all those wipes tops!
Kim says
Love, love, love this!!!
Maile Montierth says
I love this! what a great idea and so much less sweets when they get so much anyway! Thank you, I have 2 in diapers, I am sure I can find some wipe lids 🙂
Thank you!
Cheryl says
wow~i love this idea!!!
Thanks for sharing with us!!
Homa says
Love this idea! Great for food allergy families that can’t do the traditional calendar. I have done advent chains in the past but may try writing on each link like you’ve done with the paper slips mainly because our wipes lids wouldn’t work for this. And both my kids are not fans of separation, my 15 month old especially right now. I can’t believe you had any time to get something so polished done!
Kristy Walker says
This is the most awesome thing ever! I wish I had been saving my baby wipes lids! Love your website and all your fantastic ideas!
Danette says
This is a brilliant use of the tops of wipe boxes! I’m going to start saving mine up in hopes that I can make one next year!
Ruth Petty says
Love this idea!!! Gotta try it!!
Ruth Petty says
Love this!
Angie says
I adore this. It is so much more simple then other versions of advent calenders. Very cute and well thought out.
Tiffany says
Looks great , what a great way to repurpose the wipe holders!
ckcpurple says
That is so clever!!! I think I’m going to have to ask all my friends with babies to save their lids for me now!!!
Melissa says
I love it! I almost wish we were still using tons of wipes.
Alicia says
I LOVE this idea! It’s a great use of those wipes tops and probably tons of fun for the little ones! I might use this closer to Christmas. Thank you for sharing!