Manzanita Advent Tree
November 11, 2009
A few weeks ago, I posted a blurb about Advent calendars. They were on my mind this year because it is one tradition I’ve been saving until I had children of my own that were old enough to get it. Sort of like how I’ve never read the Harry Potter series because I’m saving them for when my children are older. You know, so we can experience those novels together. I beg you, please don’t tell anyone I have yet to pick up a Potter. It’s shocking, but it’s true.
Now that my munchkins are three and five, and know the full meaning of the words “treat” and “candy”, it seemed the right time to create an Advent calendar. Funny how the words “Clean up your room” fall on deaf ears, but you can whisper “candy” from the deepest corner of the backyard and they come running like marathoners.
I have a thing for branches, especially manzanita branches. They are so dramatic, especially when used as centerpieces, or spray painted and suspended over tabletops or on walls. They take my breath away. So I really wanted to display some during the season. My idea was to make an Advent calendar with tiny packages suspended from those branches in a whimsical way.
Here is my own sweetie manza-neaty Advent calendar tree.
Here’s the lowdown on how I pulled this one together.
First, I acquired three sandblasted 24” tall manzanita branches from these friendly fellows, and I stabilized them in floral foam, placed them in a festive red pot, and covered them with moss.
It was too expensive to purchase individual gift boxes – they add up quickly. I had to get a little resourceful and ‘buy in bulk’. I circled the craft store, and chose a dozen favor boxes, a set of truffle boxes, some candy and cake boxes, jewelry boxes, and a few inexpensive felt stockings. Repetition of the same box would have worked, but I thought a medley would be more interesting, more like a Christmas tree. And as a result, the kiddies would never know what was coming up next.
I reasoned an Advent tree was a great way to slowly divvy out all that confiscated Halloween candy, and also throw in a few little trinkets in the lead up to Christmas. My kids don’t know the difference (yet) between a present that costs a quarter and something expensive, so I’m taking full advantage of their ignorance. I raided the dollar bin at a few stores, and then inserted a few other inexpensive trinkets, like these.
Miniature ornaments
Good ol’ Pez dispensers:
Cheap wind up toys:
And that Halloween candy.
There will be extra teeth brushing this season, I can tell you that.
Ordinarily, I don’t have the patience to decorate teeny tiny gift boxes. But since this is an investment in the next ten years or so, I took the time. Here’s a peek.
Embellished jewelry boxes:
Truffle boxes:
Wedding favor boxes:
And several tagged stockings:
It’s all in the details
If you’re curious about that backdrop, that’s just a little something I call “Winter Berries on Canvas”. The Fall Leaves on Canvas I concocted a few months ago simply didn’t coordinate, so this is my winter version for my James Bond attempt at camouflage.
If you have no clue what I’m talking about read this, then this. And if y’all give a hoot about my homemade art, and want a step-by-step, give me a holler and I’ll write up a quick post about these Winter Berries (which would look marvelous in a series, I might add), and my amateurish attempt to copycat a photograph and make three dimensional art.
But I must show you this gratuitous snowfall shot to tempt you. Cause it’s purty.
Back to Advent. For the last few days before Christmas, the packages get larger. You know, to build up the excitement.
This last gift box below is for the little baby Jesus from the nativity. They can fight over who gets to put him in the manger, just like we did when we were kids. I hope to continue that tradition too. I can hear them now. “It’s my turn!” “No, it’s my turn!” “Waaaaaaahhhh!”
Before I forget, I must share that my latest fascination is gifts wrapped in fabric. Seriously ! I think the most amazing hostess gift would be homemade napkins wrapped up in a box in the very same fabric.
Fabric covered gift box:
Now before you question where I found cedar branches, I’ve got to be frank. We just trimmed up our Italian cyprus, so this photo is completely staged with the clippings from those trees.
Let me close by saying, no confessing, that the front foyer of our home has been injected with a wink of Christmas spirit. Granted, it competes with the Thanksgiving table, but I can accept that for a few short weeks.
Can’t wait to show you how I plan to decorate the staircase. Let’s just say it involves hounds tooth and velvet and a musical theme. All that is coming very soon !
Tags: advent tree, Christmas, holiday
Oh my gosh, I LOVE THIS!!! I love your blog and this has to be one of my faves! What a great idea-I really want to do this, but not this year since I just moved (ah!) I love how the baby Jesus is in the last box!
Beautiful tree!
That is so cool! I just love it! Thanks as always for such creative ideas.
Erin
What a great mom you are! It turned out just perfect.
I Love this! It would take me weeks to do something like this!
I love the advent calendar, it is much better than the paper flap ones! I would love for you to share how you made the cranberry branch, it is too neat!
Congratulations on hitting over 2 million viewers!
Okay. You are sooooo my hero.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this tree and your blog rocks!!!!!
Kate, this is very, very beautiful. You’re making some wonderful memories for your kids.
And it’s OK you haven’t picked up Mr Potter; I haven’t seen Sex in the City which is almost as shocking!
Your beautiful little tree inspired me tonight to take a trip to Michaels where I found some beautiful pink favour boxes and white favour boxes- can hardly wait to dress up my own little tree!!
That is, hands-down, absolutely adorable! I just went over and gave you 5 stars!
I love it.
I’m hosting a giveaway on my blog you might like if you love Christmas, quilts and totebags! Come take a peek
http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-give-away-in-celebration-of-100.html
Beautiful idea! And such a great treasure for your kids-we have some much loved Advent traditions too, make Christmas that much more special!
Lovely! Your children will cherish the memories.
Can’t begin to tell you how wonderful your tree is…WOW love it.
WHAT A GREAT MOM YOU ARE! I love all the little trinkets and what have yous you did. YOUR KIDS are not going to need Christmas w/ all the fun you created. Recycled hallow candy GREAT JOB! HA! I painted a cookie sheet last night red, to make a Christmas advent calender.. but now I am seconding that thought.. and may make a tree instead. GREAT JOB MOM AKA CG!
So cute! that advent calender looks so perfect, i love it! i’m already coming up with my own version! – although just for me and the hubby. i’d LOVE to see a tutorial for the berry art – its fantastic! the fake snow is the best part!
What a great idea! I love it!
I too will file this away until the day I have kiddos old enough to appreciate (or kiddos at all 
)
.; Your tree is marvellous, i Love it~~ (^,^) :.
So Kate, you really inspired me. I have been looking for a more substantial advent calendar than the one from Trader Joes with a chocolate per day. I loved your manzanita branch advent calendar. So, I was in Michaels looking for boxes to do something similar when I saw these cookie gift boxes by ‘Martha’ which were on sale. They are a brownish color with white print on them depicting ye olde worlde buildings–they look like little gingerbread houses. My boys are mad for gingerbread, so I bought several packets of these boxes and set up a little gingerbread town advent calendar tray (just slips off the tongue doesn’t it?). In anticipation of Dec. 1st, last night I put them on a large tray with some batting (ie snow) and set them up. Oh, and I used those red glitter numbers from Michaels as well. They look so cute. The boys are going to flip tomorrow night. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is awesome. Truly awesome.
I really, really, REALLY would love to do this — but it seems so late in the season now! If only I had found this sooner!!! Thanks for the inspirations!
[...] children are also enjoying their Manzanita Advent Tree that I made this [...]
I love this! I am going to try something like this next year seeing as it’s a little too late now. Your blog is so inspiring, thank you!
[...] sandblasted manzanita branches are leftover from this project ~ the shell ball I purchased in April at this antique [...]