Today’s guest writer is named Sofia Arvidsson, an ambassador for 365 things you can do in Malmö. When Sofia isn’t studying to become a teacher she’s in charge of http://365malmo.wordpress.com
It started with a green, flat Christmas tree made out of fabric with 24 small metal rings in it. Every Christmas my mom hung up small packages in this Christmas tree, which we then opened one a day until Christmas Eve. This way the wait for Santa and the presents didn’t feel as long.
When I was a little older, and my younger brother had taken over the Christmas tree calendar; me and my little sister got a calendar made of matchboxes. There were 24 boxes glued together that were filled with stickers, because that's what we collected at the time.
When I got even older I started making Christmas calendars for my mother, in gratitude for all the ones I had gotten from her. I simply hung up a washing line on a wall in the kitchen and cut out funny pictures, quotes and little snippets that I hung on the line and numbered them from 1 to 24. Over the years, the Christmas calendar production expanded to the whole family and friends and cousins. There have been many variations. One year my brother got a deck of football player cards, divided into 24 small envelopes. My cousins have gotten calendars with craft materials and song cards. The only thing that limits what can be in a calendar is your imagination.
But calendars aren’t only needed in December. There are other periods of the year that can feel like one long wait. To my godchildren, whom I only see a few times a year, I made a countdown calendar for a visit and I have also made vacation-countdown calendars.
Then I stumbled upon this wonderful blog and started thinking about how to develop the calendar idea. It struck me that why only make one person happy, when you can make many more people happy. Said and done, I have now created a public calendar that will hang on the streets of Malmö from tomorrow and until the 29th March. Those of you, who can’t see it all live, can follow the countdown here. Now you’re wondering what are we waiting for? You will see eventually ...
Required time:
As long as you like. There is a risk that you may become addicted, and then it will take longer.
Cost:
Depends on what you use for materials. My tip is cut up old magazines and old bill envelopes, which is both environmental and makes your wallet happy!
Cons:
You could get addicted and forget to do things you should do.
Pros:
Crafting is excellent therapy for a stressed soul. By making calendars for others, you also spread joy and make someone’s wait more pleasant.
