DIY: Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar

I made one of these when I was in college (or fresh out) when I was feeling entirely nostalgic for the thrill of waiting for Christmas.  Because please, tell me who doesn't love bubble wrap?  Who can manage to open a package and not pop at least two bubbles?  The excitement of that noise is pretty paramount and is the cherry on top to receiving mail. So for a secular twist on the advent calendar (wait...how does chocolate relate to the birth of Jesus again?), I don't think you can go wrong with a bubble wrap countdown to Christmas.

Making this requires just the simplest set of supplies (likely a bunch of stuff you already have lying around):

• Bubble wrap: try to find the largest bubbles you can because no only are those really a delight to pop...more satisfying, but you'll also be able to have larger numbers.  And try to find some that isn't likely 3 years old and mostly pre-popped or deflated like mine.  ;)
• Paper
• Frame/backing: I've used cheapo dollar store frames before and just blued the bubble wrap right on to that, so that's an option.  This year, I used a wooden tray from the dollar store.
• Scissors: sharp and small
• Glue stick or double stick tape
• Sharpie or number stickers or computer printer

The trickiest part is going to be cutting the bubble wrap so that you don't pop any of your advent bubbles.  You may choose to just frame a rectangle of bubbles and just have the excess if you keep inadvertently slicing bubbles.  I decided to live with some jagged edges because I was sick of popping bubbles and having to start all over.  But if you wrangled the wrapping and have your 24-25 bubbles, then it's easy work from there.

I don't do any spiffy measuring to get my numbers all aligned.  I just eyeballed it and stuck my stickers down (stickers were from a scrapbooking calendar kit).  Alternatively, you could write the numbers on the bubbles with Sharpie or print out a sheet all perfectly spaced.  Pick your method, as for me this is my new motto.

I glued the bubble wrap to the paper with glue stick, but I wish I had double stick tape as it was a pain to get the bubbles and paper all happily stuck together and suppress the urge to mash them all.  popppity pop pop pop.

There it is folks.  The countdown is on.  I promise you that this advent calendar is a calorie free indulgence! And here's another (my bingo advent calendar) from last year I made.

Edited to add: Just came across this great article via NPR about stress and bubble wrap.  It includes a link to pop bubble wrap online.
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