My daughter and I love the advent calendars they sell around Christmas time. The ones from Ulta or Trader Joes with makeup, skincare, haircare, bath products, jewelry, etc. are our favorites. The excitement of seeing what item they'll be able to fit into each tiny compartment is so fun! It's a bummer they only sell these during the holidays.   

The one we got this year was a ferris wheel that actually turned, with 12 different numbered compartments. After we opened all the compartments it was still good as new and way too cute to throw away.

I decided to fill it back up and send it off to my sister. I called it the "12 Days of Love Advent Calendar" and had a blast curating it just for her. I sent it via USPS (she lives in another state) with a set of instructions, asking her to pay it forward to another member of our immediate family when she's done opening all compartments.

Here's what I filled it with:

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

DAY 9

DAY 10

DAY 11

DAY 12

I got this text message from her today:

"Thank you little sista! I love you so much! I'm so excited every day to open one of the boxes. That's just one of the sweetest things. You always know how to make me smile!"

I hope we can keep this going so everyone can feel the love. 

Here's the full set of instructions: 

 

12 Days of Love Advent Calendar

Congratulations! You’re the lucky recipient of this 12 Days of Love Advent Calendar! This advent calendar is extra special because it has been curated especially for YOU. Each item was thoughtfully chosen to show how extraordinary you are and how much you mean to me.  

But there’s a twist…..you have to pay it forward to another person in our immediate family. Here’s how it works: 

• When you receive it, let the person who sent it to you know it was received as a courtesy. 

• Open only one compartment each day for the next 12 days. (don’t cheat and open them all at once!) Although the items are tiny, they are placed with love and we want you to feel the love EACH DAY as you open it. This paper ferris wheel will be re-used and passed around, so it’s important to be very careful opening each compartment so it doesn’t get ripped. 

• Keep the clear, hard plastic box it fits in and put it back in it after you’ve prepared it for the next recipient. This will prevent it from getting smashed in shipping. 

• After you’ve opened all the compartments, you have 2 weeks to curate the advent calendar for another family member and get it mailed. 

• You don’t have to spend any money in curating this but if you choose to, $25 is the total maximum amount you can spend. 

• The items don’t have to be expensive gifts you buy, they can be notes or thoughts, pictures, candy, crafts or little projects you make, items you already have that you want to give to the recipient. The options are as endless as your imagination and creativity.

• Each item has to fit in the compartment. 

• Keep this instruction card with the advent calendar and include it when you ship it to the next person.

• If you are unable or unwilling to pass it on, enjoy your 12 days of surprises and then let Paula know you won’t be sending it along and you can work together to make arrangements for the advent calendar ferris wheel to be returned to her. 

• Write your name and the date you received it on the back of this sheet so recipients know who has and has not received it yet.

xoxo May you always know how special  you are and how much you’re loved.  Xoxo

ENJOY!!!!