~Other uses? Trivia Game, Truth or Dare, Lifehacks and NY '09 Resolutions, Chore Chart, Jewelry Organizer..... so much more...~

It's like XMas at Studio 54! "Pass the 'nog, Andy! Powdered sugar for my holiday cookies? No, Bianca, I think I'll pass....."

I'll be honest. When it comes to advent calendars... well.... I'm a whore. Yes. I'm an advent calendar whore.

I can't help it! It's not so much about the countdown for me as it is about all the little nooks and crannies and boxes and pouches containing treasures. I don't care if they're cheap, tacky, ridiculous treasures. The anticipation is delicious.

"Yay, it's a new day! I wonder what piece of crap I get today?" I have been heard to trill as I leap and bound (well, roll and waddle) down the stairs every morning. (The fact that I am the only adult in the house and the one who restocked last season's calendar, and thus am in possession of the Crap 411 ie "What's Inside the Boxes," is something I choose to ignore. That's why I check early in the morning, before caffeine.)

I love this one in particular because it has so many non-advent calendar usages. From creative party food display (fill the boxes with truffles or hors d'oeuvres, leaving some doors open so that people can see what's inside, and set it on the buffet), to a jewelry box (if you're very organized you can print up a list of what numbers correspond to which pieces and attach it to the back) or come up with a game (trivia or Memory perhaps?) to play at an event.

Fun fashion pictures from the 80's (neon, jelly shoes, Aqua Net) that you print in pairs can go behind doors for a Memory-type game. Or type up baby questions or naughty sex truth-or-dare questions for a baby or bridal shower. How about putting a New Year's resolution or lifehack idea into each compartment and opening one a week in 2009? Or favorite quotes/relationship advice for an amazing wedding present?

Whatever. It's all good. Or so says the whore.