Easy Advent Calendar Tree

At the end of this post, please share your family advent traditions with us. While browsing around Etsy the other day, I came across an adorable set of numbered muslin bags at Grandmas Chalkboard. They were so cute that they inspired me to have a family countdown to Christmas with the kids this year. I ordered the numbered bags, picked up a small inexpensive faux tree and a box of red Christmas balls to create an advent calendar tree...

To make the inexpensive faux tree look a little more important, I placed it in a special bucket style tree base (Ballard Designs). Felt tipped feet make it easy to slide the tree around until I find the perfect spot for it to stay.

At first I was stumped as to what I should put in the bags. My whole goal was to make this a family event each night, something the five of us would do together. For an element of surprise, I stuck candies in a few of the bags. For the rest, I used black gift tags and a white paint marker to make little tags that state a bible verse for us to reflect on or a Christmas carol for us to sing.

The muslin bags came with the cutest, tiniest, black clothes pin which made it easy to clip the bags on the tree. Plain white lights and red balls make this tree a festive holiday decor accent. The bold, black numbers provide graphic interest which is very hot in Christmas decor right now.

Our advent tree looks really cute in the family room, but the dining room would make it convenient to do our activity every night after dinner. It also gives the room much needed Christmas bling. I may move it around a few times this season.

While I was on Etsy, I came across some really cute advent calendars. Here are a few of my favorites: Woodland Ornament Advent Calendar Deer Antler Christmas Countdown Sign Advent Calendar Tree Numbered Muslin Advent Bags

Now it's your turn… What is your family advent tradition? Do you have an advent calendar, and if so how do you use it, or what do you put in it? Please tell us in the comments.

For information on my affordable online design service, please click here.
Affordable Interior Design For Real People