I’m a huge fan of advent calendars, and I think they can be used for way more than the countdown to Christmas. You can countdown any special occasion…a birthday, a wedding, or a baby’s due date. Here are some of my faves, both products and DIYers.

Here is my new favorite! It looks like this adorable and simple countdown calendar is made from cans. I just love it! Found on Room Envy.

How cute and graphic is this advent calendar made from metal tins? Found on Twig & Thistle.

I was amazed the first time I saw this toilet paper tube calendar by Maya Made. So clever!

You can buy this lovely advent calendar at Pottery Barn. Found on Oh Happy Day.

This is one of my fave advent calendars of all time by Pickles…little gifts hanging from plastic rings. A child’s dream…snowing presents! Found via The Crafty Crow.

You can make your own embroidered felt calendar with the help of the Purl Bee.

Oliver hasn’t had a mobile in his room because I haven’t found one that I like (read: not plastic). Until this week! Check it…

The Woodours Wood Musical Crib Mobile has it all…music, cute stuffed danglies, and it has a wooden arm! I mean, how hard is that? Oliver is really digging it!

Here are a few others that I found…

How gorgeous is this knitted mobile by Bla Bla Kids? I think Oliver needs one over his changing table.

Artistic, graphic, and compelling for both baby and adult. These modern art mobiles by Puka Puka are gorge. Found via Design Mom’s Babble column.

I love the simplicity of these bamboo mobiles by Petit Collage. But would they make my baby giggle and coo? I’m not so sure. Perhaps I need this one hanging over my own bed. Found via Design Mom.

I am crazy about these wooden spool and feather turkeys made by Joel Henriques of Made by Joel from the November issue of Parents magazine. Super cute and easy!

Materials: Wooden spool, Covered floral wire (12-inch piece), Wire cutter or old scissors, Scissors, Colored paper, Small button, Feathers, Pen, Clear tape

Step 1: Wrap the middle section of wire twice around spool tightly. Twist together to secure. Bend wire to make a foot on each leg and trim excess with old scissors or wire cutter.

Step 2: Trace the end of a spool and a button about 1″ apart on paper. Connect the circles to form a neck, and add points on head. Cut out shape, and draw eyes, beak, and spiral.

Step 3: Tape the paper body to one end of spool, then flip over and attach 3 feathers to other side, taping each one individually. Adjust feet so turkey stands.

As Halloween was fast approaching, I did not have a costume for Oliver. It was truly like the cobbler’s kid with no shoes. So based on his wardrobe, he was either going to be a teddy bear (brown onesie), an elephant (gray onesie), or a frog (green onesie). He has frog-like gestures sometimes so I went frog. I modeled the collar and wrist/ankle bands after this costume from Parents magazine, but the tongue/pacifier was my most proud invention! He may look back one day with a big eye roll!

How cute and easy is this? Sawing the heads off of plastic animals might be a bit distrurbing, but the end result would be adorable in any kids’ bedroom or playroom! Found via Ohdeedoh.