Print Tray Advent Calendar

Have you seen print trays, or letterpress trays in antique stores and on Etsy? They're trays that were originally used to hold the type in print shops, and are great ways to display little treasures. I picked one up this summer, and when I saw these pictures, I immediately wanted to turn it into an Advent calendar!

I painted my tray white, because I wanted the little treasures the girls would eventually put in it to stand out! 

For my "doors," I actually used the paper from a banner...these are so versatile and cheap that I buy one almost every time I'm in Target! Usually I'm using them for some event, but I had this one left over, and liked that the paper was more sturdy for the doors. And I always have washi tape on hand, too!

For treats for each day I did a mix of little toys (these tiny porcelain animals that I've been finding at antique stores since I was about ten!) and chocolate gold coins that my kids think are the best treasure of all time :). 

They love it, and I love how easily I could use it year after year! Happy countdown!