All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Every year, the countdown to Christmas can become rather difficult for the young ones and (let's be honest) for the old ones too. But during the 19th century, the advent calendar was invented, and ever since it has helped making this waiting period a little easier on everyone.
Those calendars already exist in a lot of different shapes, but the one which really made a difference to me ended up in my living room only last winter. It was the Lego City Advent Calendar!
As most of the advent calendars contain chocolate, the question of what to do with the new daily gift does not really apply, but it surely does when it comes to the Lego Advent Calendar.
Once assembled, the small Lego build is left with two options, being kept as is on the chimney waiting for its twenty three other "friends," or be thrown into the bucket with the rest of the Lego bricks! Tough choice and even moreso for impatient kids.
But what if there was a third option, to keep everyone happy and... crafty? What about turning those Lego builds into Christmas tree ornaments and a cool family project? It is actually fairly easy and has an infinity of possibilities!
Equipment needed:
- Empty transparent ornament balls, with a diameter of about 2 inches. Those can be found in every well-equipped craft store.
- Lego base plate, 6x6 octagonal. Others would work too, but this one simply fits the best.
- Of course, the build of the day from your advent calendar.
Instructions:
- Simply clip the Lego build or mini figurine on top of the octagonal base plate.
- Insert the new assembly inside the transparent ball (which should normally open in the middle or at the bottom).
- You may use glue to keep it in place inside the ball, but if a 6x6 octagonal plate is used, it should remain fairly stable by itself.
Normally, by now, you should be gazing at your brand new Christmas tree ornament! But, if you run out of time or patience, you can also opt for the already made Official Lego Holidays ornament!
I certainly hope you will enjoy building those ornaments as much as opening the door of your advent calendar every day!
There is also a version of this calendar even more suited for this article, the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar. So, Mom, if you read this, this year I want that one.