I know it’s not even Halloween yet, but I like to plan ahead. (I try, anyway!) I originally came across this wonderful idea on the Family Fun website. The idea is to take various colourful socks that your kids have and string them up as an Advent Countdown calendar. I thought that was great, but I’ve put an even better twist on it and best of all, in today’s credit-crunch society, it’s THRIFTY.
How about using all of those stray socks you have? You know, the ones the dryer ate, or have somehow magically disappeared? You could do just about anything you like to decorate them. You could dye them to make them colourful like the picture above, you could embroider them, decorate them with ribbons and buttons, or even paint them. Let your imagination run wild! You don’t have to have kids to do this, it’s a great idea for the ‘big kids’ out there too!
Here’s what you need:
- 25 socks
- A marker or paint
- 25 mini clothespins (available at craft supply stores, but if you want, you could use (recycle) regular clothespins too)
- Stocking hangers, painter’s tape, or pushpins
- 6-foot length of cord, string, or ribbon
How to do it:
- Use the marker or paint to number the clothespins with 1 through 25.
- Use stocking hangers, painter’s tape, or pushpins to temporarily hang a 6-foot length of cord, string, or ribbon.
- Clip the treat-filled socks to the cord in numerical order, then each day have kids remove one to discover their surprises.
Ideas for Fillers:
- Get Out of Chores Free” or “Pick a Movie Rental” cards — each good for one use!
- A puzzle distributed in pieces among the socks; kids can put it together over the course of the month.
- Trading or sports cards
- Special coins such as foreign currency or a silver dollar — chocolate coins are always a hit too!
- Music or other gift cards
- Jokes or riddle
- A game (a Mad Libs or Sudoku a day)
- Art supplies, such as a mini paint kit and pad
- A special ornament to add to the tree
- Write or print out an encouraging thought for each day or a Christmas fact to focus on what Christmas is really about.
I hope you enjoy this idea and if you end up making it yourself, please post pictures. I’d love to see your finished project!
photo courtesy of familyfun.go.com
Daqy 3 found Christmas stockings
I have found Day 3 of the advent calendar
I’ve (hopefully) found day 3 of the advent competition
Yes you have! Good luck 🙂
What a great idea!
One of these days I’ll actually do this too! LOL… Thanks for stopping by the blog.
I have found Day 3 of the advent calendar
Good luck with the competition!
I love the idea, such a cute photo too! A good way for all the odd socks to go to use 🙂
Please enter me in the advent comp to! Thanks, Amy
Thanks! Good luck!
found day 3 (hopefully)…love your site btw
You found it 🙂 And thank you so much, I hope to see you around here in the future!
How inventive! definitely beats the boring old chocolates
Thanks, I thought so too!
That’s a really cool idea. Especially as my son seems to lose half his socks every wash!
Thanks 🙂 What I still want to know is…WHERE DO ALL THOSE SOCKS GO???
Oddly, my kids always have one sock with a hole in lol 🙂
LOL…finally, a way to use the leftovers… 😉
Thanks for entering the competition.
I haven’t tried this but what a fab idea! Thanks.
You know, I haven’t actually either, because we always get boring socks! I think I definitely see some colourful socks in our stockings this year…
If you try it, please pop back and let me know. I’d love to hear how you get on.
This reminds me of my childhood. Will definately look out some oud socks and stuff and make puppets with my grandson at Christmas
Have a wonderful time making memories 🙂
The dogs eat my socks 🙁 I’d be happy if I won the comp though 😀
Aww…naughty dogs! 😉 Good luck with the competition.
Good idea for day 3. bring on Christmas
Happy Christmas and Good Luck 🙂
My daughter has just made a sock rabbit at school out of one of her dad’s old socks. Just got to find something to do with the 10,000 odd socks at the bottom of the ironing pile.
You could probably use this idea for all sorts of countdowns! If you do, let me know, I’d love to see.
Great idea for socks and I’ve found Day 3
Thanks, and good luck!
What a great idea – We have a sock monster in our house, which often leaves us with just 1 sock….now I can do something with these!
I know, we all seem to have that sock monster. I was so excited when I saw this idea 🙂
Great idea….just make sure the socks have been washed first! (wouldn’t want smelly ones hung up by the fire!)
LOL! That would be baaaaad!
Note to self: in future, only buy festive-coloured socks!
I know…mine are all totally boring! Maybe I’ll put some on my Christmas list 😉
I have found Day 3 of the advent calendar. Great idea too LOL.
Thanks! Well done and Good luck 🙂
Good idea for day 3. Roll on Christmas
Thanks! Happy Christmas!
Ok- So now that I know this is where the question to the 12 days of Christmas Day 3 goes.
Thanks for entering. Good luck! 🙂
What a great idea! I don't have any odd socks on hand– since I literally cleaned out my sock drawer at the beginning of the school year. 🙁 I think I'll put a basket by the dryer to catch them throughout this year, and see what happens. I don't have kids, as you know, but I am certainly a kid at heart– and I wear a LOT of fun socks. Don't know for sure that I'll follow through, but at the moment, it has my attention!