Matchbox Advent Calendar

Our family loves celebrating the Christmas season with this crafty Advent calendar my friend made for us years ago.

Decorate the matchboxes with scrapbook paper and other Christmas-y papers, then added little embellishments and numbers 1 to 24. Use a small cork board as a base and tack on grosgrain ribbon in four rows. To attach the matchboxes, cut two small slits in the bottom of each outside wrap of the boxes, and slide six on each ribbon. They can be in number order, or mixed up for fun.

For the gifts inside, I add M&Ms to each box for a treat each day. Then in 4 or 5 boxes, I add a paper tag with directions to find a little gift. And on Christmas Eve, I add a paper tag for a special gift under the tree.

Even as my kiddos grow older, they still like opening a box each day for a fun little treat, and love the anticipation of getting little gifts all season.

I hope you enjoy crafting an Advent calendar for your family, and enjoy this Advent season!