Last-Minute Advent Calendar

I am borrowing this idea from Filth Wizardry !  It's too cool to pass up, especially with Christmas just over a week away. I love the idea of advent calendars, but the ones with the little chocolates are kinda lame. I always tell myself I'm going to make a super cool one ready by December 1, and with Thanksgiving and starting my Christmas shopping, I never actually get it done. I thought this idea was FANTASTIC - have a last week before Christmas countdown, rather than the whole month.

Here's what you need:
Seven paper plates (or five, or ten...however many days you want in your calendar)
Trinkets/candy small enough to fit into the folded paper plates
Hot glue gun
Markers/crayons/bows to decorate
String/hole punch (if you want to hang your calendar)

Here's what you do:

1. Fold your paper plates in half, insert trinkets/candy/whatever you're putting inside. I've got bubble gum, barettes, matchbox cars, plastic rings, pencils, stickers, and ring pops.

2. Glue the paper plate closed with hot glue gun.

3. If you want to hang your calendar, punch a hole in the top of the closed plate and insert a piece of string. Or glue the string on.

4. Decorate it! You can put the date, how many days are left 'til Xmas, or just a cute picture. Kids can help here - they love to decorate stuff...just don't let them open up the surprises!

5. Hang 'em up or lay them out on a shelf/mantel/table and get excited for Christmas!