Advent Calendar, Junker Style
It’s time to figure out the whole Advent Calendar thing! And if you’ve got creative juices running through your veins, this is a chance to do something unique. Anyone can buy one of those paper things with the little windows (which I probably did for many years with my kiddos). If you happen to have a couple of divided drawers laying around in your vintage junk stash, you’ll love this Advent Calendar, Junker Style!
Advent Calendar, Junker Style
Find 2 Divided Drawers with 12 Cubbies Each
This wonderful divided drawer with the new knob and old pedal was first {“Divided Drawer Centerpiece: From Workbench to Centerpiece”} refreshed and used on our Easter Table {“Add Luscious Layers to your Tablescape”}. Then it came in handy for my daughter’s grad party {“Use Vintage Finds and Refreshed Junk as Unique Serving Pieces and Centerpieces“}. I’m always coming up with new ways to use it around the house; guess I’m a cubby-loving junker!
As it was waiting for it’s next inspiration, I realized it had 12 cubbys (duh, I know). Then I remembered another 12 cubby piece I had leftover from doing inventory for the store {“Do I Miss it?”}. Hmmm…12 + 12 = 24. I’m math challenged, but somehow it all came together! I knew I had a lot of scrabble letters {see “Have Fun with Old Word Games”} but knew I was short with numbers.
Gather Number Pieces from Old Games
I just happened to be heading to the thrift store to DROP OFF a whole load. So I just “popped” in to check;) Because if you’re there, you just gotta check, right? {see what I look for in “3 Things to Look for at the Thrift Store”}
I found numbers! And plenty of red and green numbers (well, maybe not quite enough…but close).
For Your Junker Styled Advent Calendar, Simply Stack the Divided Drawers
I simply stacked my 2 junky divided drawers and added a small box to the top. Then I grabbed some black and white houndstooth washi tape and started playing with candy and little boxes!
Washi tape worked well to stick the numbers to the drawer, except on the rougher surface of the top one; but it might have been the 30 degree weather too;( I ran out of red and green numbers when I got into the 20’s, but I think the other colors created a playful style. Unfortunately there wasn’t a 0, but I improvised:
Little jewelry boxes were wrapped with vintage wrapping paper, and colorful Christmas candy worked for treats.
I stacked some gold-foil-wrapped candy to create a star for the top:
This Advent Calendar, Junker Style was almost as easy as buying a paper one, and so much more fun! If you’ve got a couple divided drawers, why not stack them and add some little treats and gifts? You’ll enjoy looking at it as much as you enjoy the fun!
Sharing at these lovely parties:
This SO clever and fun, Lora! I have a cubby with 24 openings and never thought of this…I’m inspired! I love your wonderful project!!
Repurposes that don’t involve rebuilding are always nice, aren’t they, Linda? Great excuse to use all those wonderful cubby finds!
What I would do to shop your junker stash, Lora! Love the rustic charm of your advent calendar. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Talk Of The Town Party! Pinned and shared 🙂
Too funny, Marie! Years ago when I used to have sales on our property, ladies were begging to go into my garage! No way I was going to let them see that mess…or all the goodies I wanted to keep;)
This is so creative and just fun! Pinned! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
It was a fun, simple little project! Thanks, Cecilia!
How fun! Such a whimsical project…pinning!
Thanks, Linda! It was an easy, fun, little project! Thanks for pinning!
This is a great idea to display all those little vintage Christmas decorations that I never know what to do with. Also a great alternative to a Christmas tree. You wouldn’t have to use it as an actual Advent calendar. At the rate I am going, I will never get my tree up, so I might just have to think about this as an alternative! Thanks for the cute idea!
This would be adorable with all those cute little vintage ornaments! And I bet you have a nice stash, Dottie!
Such a neat way to repurpose an older game 🙂
Thanks, Erin. I love old games!
You are most welcome Lora 🙂
Very cute idea! Love it!
Thanks, Kathleen!