Welcome to my ABC Holiday Series! I am excited to share some fun holiday projects from A to Z, starting with these Advent boxes.

When my kids were little I always made some type of Advent calendar for the month of December.  I would plan a special activity for each day and put a note or clue inside the numbered project. For us, Advent was all about family time, giving, and remembering the reason we celebrate Christmas. I don’t know who enjoyed this tradition more, my children or me!

These advent boxes are quick & easy to make using the pillow boxes from the Paper Pumpkin Layered Leaves Kit and the Large Numbers Framelits. When it comes to purchasing products I am all about versatility! I love the Large Numbers Framelits.  These dies are great for milestone birthdays and anniversaries and perfect for numbering advent boxes! (They coordinate with the Number of Years Stamp Set.)

You already know how much I enjoy getting my monthly Paper Pumpkin kits! If you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you can order refills of past kits (while supplies last).  I ordered 3 refill kits which will make 24 pillow boxes (not to mention 24 cards & envelopes which I plan to use for gift sets). Click on the image below to find out about the upcoming October and November Paper Pumpkin coordinating kits and how you can earn $5 off your next online order!

If you are not a subscriber (I can’t imagine why not!!!) you can make your own pillow boxes (or stockings) using the Trim Your Stocking Thinlits Dies (available separately or as a bundle).

Here’s a size comparison of the pillow boxes side by side.

Here’s my decorated pillow box using the Trim Your Stocking Thinlits Dies.

You can easily fit notes, gift cards, and small treats in either one. Basically, it all depends on preference and how much time you have to create. You can add the stocking die to the pillow box which would be cute hanging on a tree. (I’ll be sharing more ideas using the stocking dies later.) There are many possibilities for these pillow boxes and just as many ideas for what to put in them…inspirational quotes for a college student during finals, gifts for 8 days of Hanukkah,  date night cards numbered for each month, a  birthday with their age on top, countdown to a wedding or big day, etc. What would you use them for? I would love to hear your ideas!

Click HERE for printable notes for Advent

Click HERE for Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Children

You probably already do many of the activities you’d put in the advent boxes but there’s something special and exciting about opening a box to find out the special activity for the day. (FYI…the pillow boxes make it easy to slip the note in the night before or switch them around if something comes up.)

Even if you don’t have young children, you could make a set as a gift to give to grandchildren or a friend. You could even keep for yourself and fill with a random act of kindness to do or give away each day! We can all make a difference by spreading joy to others.

Have a wonderful day!

Just Stampin’

Jeanie

To get a FREE thank you gift from me, simply enter the host code below at checkout. *If you have an order over $150, DON’T USE THE HOST CODE, but get your Stampin’ Rewards AND the free thank you gifts from me!

Current Host Code:  BHYQXWS2

*OCTOBER ONLINE ORDER SPECIAL…I am giving away the Merry Patterns Stamp Set for FREE to 1 lucky winner in October!  Anyone who places an online order using the host code will be entered in a drawing to win this stamp set. The winner will be announced November 1st after all October orders are complete!

Product List

October special savings starts today! See details below!

• World Card Making Day Sale (Oct 1-10)
• Designer Series Paper Sale (Oct 1-31)
• Stampin’ Blends Demonstrator Only Early Release (Oct 1-15)
• Merry Patterns Host Stamp Set continues (ends 10/31)

World Card Making Day is October 7th. In celebration of this day, Stampin’ Up will be offering 15% off select card making essentials, plus a deal on Fast Fuse Adhesive (BUY FAST FUSE ADHESIVE AND GET TWO REFILLS FOR FREE) October 1–10! Don’t miss out on this chance to stock up on card making staples to keep celebrating all year long. Click Here for the WCMD flyer.

During the entire month of October, select packs of Designer Paper will be part of a Buy 3, Get 1 Free special! Click HERE for the DSP sale flyer.

Say hello to a new world of colorful creativity! Stampin’ Up! announced the return of alcohol-based markers!! One of the perks of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is getting sneak peeks at new products and being able to order early. Demonstrators (and anyone who signs up between October 1st – 15th) can purchase these before the are released (sometime before the end of the year). You could get the Stampin’ Blends Marker Collection (all 26 colors plus the color lifter)  with “no strings attached” as part of your $99 starter kit.  I welcome hobby demonstrators!  Why not be your own customer and enjoy getting product at a discount? Click HERE for more information and to join my team! Questions? Email me and we can arrange a time to chat!