Every year we look forward to advent calendars at Christmas, but lately we have enjoyed them even at Halloween time. There’s something extra fun about thinking ahead and adding a touch of magic to things you were already going to do anyways, such as: visiting a pumpkin patch…why not put a corn maze admission voucher on a cute note inside one of your goodie bags or say “you get two pumpkins of your choice!” I like to add trinkets, little Halloween accessories, small treats and pencils, etc. to the calendar. It could be an activities only calendar like: “let’s bake pumpkin muffins after school” if you cringe at the idea of a small gift for 31 days. Again, it doesn’t have to be daily, if you prefer.

I found using little brown paper bags was an inexpensive way to house all the fun. I painted little ghosts and some were decorated, while some were plain ghosts. I numbered them 1-31 and hung clothesline from one wreath hook to another. I draped a cheap piece of cream netted fabric from the Dollar Tree around the line, and used clothes pins to attach the baggies. I also stuffed the baggies with crumpled white paper from the wrapping section of the Dollar Tree to add a bit of fluff to the items.

I got out my craft bin and used old yarns to make pom poms, and glitter ribbons and fabrics to make witch hats, and sweet details with hot glue. This added a bit of charm to them. Here are some of the things I put inside. I plan to reuse the baggies next year!

I also put a note about a surprise camp-out just to make it extra exciting! See it doesn’t have to be commercialized, and it can just contain sweet notes and Fall-ish things to do with your family! If you are just getting inspired to do this, I recommend making one for the last half of the month or just start whenever you get it made. Enjoy creating sweet Halloween fun with your family for all of October!