Several years ago, I purchased runners, pillow covers, and other handmade linens from Ann of On Sutton Place to sell in my retail spaces.  I had learned that despite my most determined DIY efforts, I couldn’t make everything I sold.  I just couldn’t keep up and I needed to find things I could hire out and buy wholesale.  Ann is wonderfully creative and did beautiful work with antique linens, so it was a good match.  I also bought mini stockings from her for Christmas and requested she make 24 for me to use as an advent calendar.  I even sent her my grain sack and fabric scraps from upholstery work for her to use.

Ann made a beautiful set for me that I have used as a countdown for Christmas every year since.

I purchased some numbered clay tags on to number them.  Sadly, the shop I bought them from is no longer selling, you can find or make similar tags.

I love how each one is unique, which gives this mini stocking advent calendar tons of personality.  In our last house, I hung the mini advent stockings strung together in a garland from the end of our bed.  I love how it brought a festive touch into the master bedroom, which was visible from the family room, and it gave me some control over our boys sneaking a peek!

I would put little toys, cars, and candy for both of them in the stockings each evening for them to collect in the morning.  When we did the Lego Advent calendar a few years, I would put the little packages into the mini advent stockings and they would take turns building them.

In our new house, I hang the mini advent stockings on our dining room Christmas tree.  Even though the boys are teenagers, they still love them and we play the little game that “elves” are filling the stockings each day while they are at school.  Sometimes the elves get busy working and they forget and I have to send the boys back outside so the elves can fill the stocking.  We have a good time with it.

I….er, the elves…fill the stockings with Christmas chocolates, small brain teaser puzzles, and sometimes a clue to a hiding place where a larger surprise is waiting.

I remember as a kid how slowly time seemed to pass in December as we anticipated Christmas.  Having an advent calendar to count down the days gave me something to look forward to each day, satisfying my eagerness, but also building excitement for Christmas morning.  I think it’s a wonderful tradition, especially for kids.

And my mini grain sack advent stockings have become a part of our family tradition.  I’m guessing they will be passed down to future generations to help them celebrate the countdown to Christmas.

Even though it’s December 2, it’s not too late to start an advent calendar countdown this year and plan for next year.

As a funny advent story, Calvin’s history teacher gave everyone in the class a chocolate-filled advent calendar.  He came home from school and asked if he could eat some chocolate for his afternoon snack. I told him that was fine.  Well, one entire empty advent calendar later…  I didn’t realize he intended to eat the entire thing in one sitting!  “Mom, it’s only 20 carbs.”

“Well, it’s done, so do your insulin for it.  You do realize Christmas won’t come any sooner because you opened all of the doors in one day, right?”

These boys keep us on our toes.

My friend, Emily of Penny & Ivy, makes the sweetest mini stockings out of antique fabrics and grain sacks and she is launching another collection of them this Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 6:00 pm CST.  Use code MUSTARDSEED10 to get 10% off your purchase from her online shop HERE.

Here are a few more mini stocking options to use as Christmas decorations or for Advent.  The knit and crochet ones are just adorable!