Traditions: Our Christmas Candy Countdown- easy, affordable and fun!
I have been very excited to finally have this tradition written out for you all. Our Christmas candy countdown is one of my favorite traditions. It goes way back- so we could also call it Nana’s candy countdown if we wanted. I grew up doing this simple countdown each year and most of my siblings still do it every year with their own families. Honestly, this is about as affordable and easy as you can get for traditions. And what child doesn’t love waking up each morning and eating a piece of candy to count their way down to Christmas Day!
Let’s get to the details. It doesn’t take much- but here is your supply list:
25 different pieces of candy per person in your home
Cling Wrap
Thin Christmas Ribbon or String (this twine is so good for it)
Push pins or Command hooks for hanging
Here’s how we do it in our family- but change it up for whatever is most fun and festive for your family of course! Go to a grocery store that sells bulk candy (we go to Winco). We have 8 people in our family, so we get 8 pieces of each type of candy. This year- it cost us a total of $15 for all our candies (and that was even a few extras). That’s pretty great for a family of 8.
When we are back home we stretch out a LONG line of cling wrap. Place your first type of candy at one end. Keep doing this leaving about 6 inches between each section of candies. Once all 25 types of candy are laid out, fold the cling wrap in the middle on both sides so that it is all sealed up. Next, go down the line and tie a little piece of string or ribbon around each section. Now you are finished!
Lastly, hang it somewhere in your house! Use pushpins or command hooks, or just loop it over shelves or decor.
Each day, someone gets to cut off one section and everyone gets 1 piece of candy. I have found that it’s easiest to do it right away in the morning and just start our day with a treat! Then no one is asking all day when they get candy and it’s done and enjoyable.
I hope this can be a fun new tradition you add to your December this year. This Christmas candy countdown is such a great memory I have from childhood and my boys look forward to it every single year. I’m glad we can pass this tradition from our family to yours! Check out one of our other favorite traditions- Nana’s Sugar Cookie Recipe. We’ll be making them soon and I always love it.
xo, Sarah
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Bettye Salter
Great idea for little candy bundles each day. I used a unique “Advent calendar” made with a vintage wooden coke bottle holder. I put a small toy, candy or other surprise in each little section and covered the front of that section with a square I’d cut from old Christmas cards. Each day one section was opened. If the surprise was too large to fit in the little section I’d put a clue there hinting where to find the surprise. We started on December 1 and ended on Christmas Eve.
I only had 2 children and 2 wooden Coke crates. That was the first thing they did each December morning and they loved it. I guess that would be a lot of Coke crates and surprises for you!! Ha! But, I bet they’d love it!! Merry Christmas! Bettye Salter
Sarah
Bettye SalterThat is such a sweet and unique idea also- I love that. Thanks for sharing it here Bettye!
Jordan
This would be fun to do with lesser found or eaten candies to try something new. I’ll have to figure out a way to do it with less/no plastic. I try to reduce our plastic waste if I can.
Christmas Countdown
Nice!
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Susan E
We make a countdown calendar too but with activities instead. I write down an activity and put it in a little envelope and use a numbered close pin to attach it to ribbon that is strung in the living room. I got all of the supplies at Michaels hobby store. The best part is I can work the activities around my schedule if I’m working or having a busy day, it is an easy activity like take a ride to see Christmas lights or watch a Christmas show together. If it’s an open day, bake cookies or assemble the gingerbread house or visit someone special. It didn’t really matter what the activity was, just that we were spending time together. My 2 boys are older now, but that was one of their favorite holiday traditions and one I hope to do with grandchildren one day.
Baiba
Thank you. I did it for my kids, only in wallpaper. They were ameizd, because every day they didn’t know what will be in…. I have 4 children 2boy and 2girls.
Sarah
BaibaThat is such a fun twist on it, making it a surprise. Thanks for sharing!