Do you love building up the excitement before Christmas? Advent calendars are a fantastic way to do this. I have also found that the small gifts that go along with advent calendars are a great way to allay kiddos anxiousness over the pretty packages under the tree. This year try something a little different with these unique DIY advent mailboxes! They are easy enough to make that a 2 year old can do it. Trust me, I have photographic proof. Even better, you can get everything you need to make them in one place from Oriental Trading.

 

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Advent Mailboxes Materials

• Red Tinplate Mailbox
• Christmas Bag of Buttons
• Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue
• Small Lids or Containers (2 per child)
• Unfinished Wooden Christmas Ornaments (The ones I used are out of stock right now but here is a similar set)
• Washable Markers

 

Step 1

Give each child a red mailbox to decorate.

 

Step 2

Fill one container with glue and one with an assortment of buttons.

Tip:

This makes it easier for little hands that do not quite have the dexterity or hand strength to squeeze the glue bottle. My oldest, who is 7, used a bottle to apply the glue.

Step 3

Now let your kids go nuts decorating their mailboxes.

 

Step 4

Set the mailboxes aside to dry when the kids have finished decorating them.

Step 5

Next, let each child pick a wooden ornament that they like from the set.

 

Step 6

Give them markers and let them decorate their ornaments.

 

Step 7

After they have finished their ornaments, label each one with the child’s name.

Note:

I, personally, think the 2-year-old’s ornament is awesome. It’s modern and colorful. Kids are so creative.

 

Step 8

Place the ornaments on the corresponding mailboxes by sliding the cord over the flag.

 

Advent Gifts

If you want to make the gifts super easy, use this stocking stuffer assortment and a bag of Hershey’s miniatures to fill the mailbox daily. Simply place one of each into your child’s mailbox. There are enough gifts in the assortment to easily supply 3-4 children’s advent mailboxes. If you are supplying more than that, I recommend purchasing 2.

 

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You can be done with your advent mailboxes now if you want. Simply add a new surprise each day to the mailboxes. Be sure to put the flag up so your kiddos know that there is a new treat awaiting them. They will love the entire process and will adore the fun gifts and toys in the stocking stuffer assortment.  If you are like our family and love mixing in activities with your advent surprises, come back next week. Find out how to ramp up your advent with gifts and activities that create memories your family will cherish. Get a sneak peek at our list below and be sure to check out Oriental Trading for more amazing Christmas ideas!

1. Coloring Set
2. Christmas Themed Family Game Night
3. Bracelets
4. Candy
5. Make Ornaments
6. Card Games
7. Punch Balloon
8. Festival of Lights
9. Kick Sack
10. Candy
11. Mazes
12. Decorate Gingerbread Houses
13. Rubber Ducks
14. Puzzles
15. Christmas Movie Night
16. Candy
17. Kaleidoscopes and Minivan Express
18. Candy
19. Yo-Yos
20. Christmas Campout
21. Photo Booth Night
22. Coloring Book
23. Candy
24. Read “The Night Before Christmas”

See where I’m linking up!

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