My family love Advent Calendars. December 1 starts the countdown with the start being almost as good as the finish. This wonderful Nutcracker Advent Calendar was in a sorry state when I bought it at a thrift store a few years ago. The paint had been scratched off, knobs were missing and he had a rather dilapidated aire. But, darn it, he had attitude so I took him home. (Sorry I don’t have before pictures but that was before I started this blog.) I matched the paint with craft paint selections and my husband made and attached some new knobs. He looks like he just came out of the toyshop. We fill him with candy and open a door each day. It’s a lovely way to countdown the holiday.
Not being content with one Advent Calender I am always on the lookout for more. This one was found at another thrift shop and needed a little help in the paint and knob department. So between the two of us (hubby and me) we fixed him right up and he is ready for the start of the holiday season. This one is also filled with candy and surprises as the boxes are a little bigger. My daughter likes this one and sometimes finds earrings, a Christmas pin or other fun things for the holidays secreted behind one of the doors.
You’d think that would be enough!! Thank goodness it wasn’t as I found another one at a Humane Society thrift store. It turned out to be my favorite. It’s a vintage Advent Calendar. I didn’t have to do anything to it except clean it. As you can see Santa sits at the top of the chimney. In this picture he has already come down two nights. You slide the little wooden pieces to the side to countdown to Christmas. 22 is showing. When I pull that out you will see the 21 slide behind it. After 21 is pulled Santa drops down and sits on top of 20. This continues until the last night when he lands in the chimney ready to deliver his gifts.
I’m on the look out for number 4. You can tell I like them free standing and made of wood. I hope there’s another one in my thrift shop future.