Advent calendar

[ailbhe]

5th - Emer got something incomprehensible, donated a plush Disney frog
4th - Linnea got part of a crane, they donated a weird metal thingie we got given as an ornament years ago
3rd - Emer got ???, both donated an alphabet thingie
2nd - Linnea got a sword-wielding person, donated a plush Rockit frog
1st - Emer got a snowman, Linnea donated a plush Disney frog

Emer's getting a bit better at donating, but it IS hard. I'm trying to help them choose things they don't use much, or things they will get replaced quite soon as new things pour in from all around. We can't really affect the volume of stuff they have by getting rid of 24 items but it's a start. At least the 24 things coming in are tiny Lego things, not huge plushies.

Of course, we really really lack decent Lego storage. I'm considering a couple of shallow Really Useful Boxes with inner trays. But that seems so extravagant.

Comments

[rmc28]

We got an advent calendar and I talked to Charles about finding a toy each day "for the charity shop" and he has thrown himself into it with enthusiasm. I'm joining in for moral support, though my contributions are mostly clothing.

Thanks for the brilliant idea.

[thekumquat]

That's a great idea - will try it next year when the quatlet is that bit older.

This year we have a classic advent calendar with pictures (surpirsingly hard to track down!) and the quatlet is very excited by it and the idea that we open a new 'lid' every day and then when they're all open the next day is Christmas!

[ailbhe]

It's the first year we've had a calendar with things in; we usually use the same pictures-only one from UNICEF (I close the pictures and pack it away every year).

[happydisciple.livejournal.com]

I hadhave[1] three fishing tackle boxes for my lego technic, and Curver stackable boxes for my regular & space lego. RUBs seem eminently sensible to me.

[1] Well, until it becomes g's, obviously.

[tiggsybabes.livejournal.com]

You can buy lego shaped storage boxes that interlock, saw them on the Domestic sluts website. Am tempted to get some for our lounge. They're not actually meant for lego, but I may put ours in one.

[buzzy-bee.livejournal.com]

These Ikea boxes are great for Lego (but I don't have one yet - just the plastic boxes the lego came in).

We have some small Really Useful Boxes for minifigs and accessories. Tic Tac boxes are perfect for the tiny wee pieces.

[buzzy-bee.livejournal.com]

Oh and I store the pieces of the various kits we have in ziploc bags with their instructions, because at the moment L is not good at building them so it makes my life easier.

[thealmondtree.livejournal.com]

The item on the 3rd is a skateboard and ramp and today's is a drum kit! (Theo has the same advent calendar sent by his aunt in Australia)

[k425.livejournal.com]

They are very handy, until you have huge quantities and have to tip it all out to find the pieces for a kit...

[myfirstkitchen.livejournal.com]

We always used tool/fixings boxes for ours, with the dividers and big compartments etc.

[geekette8.livejournal.com]

Aha, I came here to say the same thing (minus the Australian aunt :-))

[merryhouse.livejournal.com]

ahahahahahahahahaha... perhaps it's best if you don't see our playroom.

We *started* with a couple of divided boxes from B&Q.

It's amazing how much lego two children can acquire in the space of five years.

[ailbhe]

Well, it'll be a while before they're allowed to have Rob's main stash out of the attic... they only have his normal bricks and bases now. He has lots of fiddly bits up there.

[ailbhe]

Noooooooooooooo!!!

[alison tooth (from livejournal.com)]

ooops sorry - was trying to make a clickable link and failing!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97378969@N00/5236202662/

[ailbhe]

I clicked the link from the email. If we ever get that much I will have to move out into the playhouse.

[merryhouse.livejournal.com]

I think that's about what we've got; though it's difficult to tell as we do sort finely ;-)

[shinydan.livejournal.com]

You can either spend some money, now, on Lego storage; or you can accept that you're going to spend the next twenty years stepping on the blasted things in bare feet and darkness. 8)

[alison tooth (from livejournal.com)]

Well, go on then - photo! :)