I know it may seem early to start thinking of Christmas decorations and crafts, but really the big day will be here before you know it. I have a friend (who shall remain nameless) who has already put her tree up, and secretly, I am jealous because I want to start decorating for Christmas too. So time and logic aside, let’s talk Advent Calendars. There are plenty of nice ones you could buy from any store, but come on, if I can make one, you can make one. And my DIY Advent Calendar will cost you less money and look that much cuter on display in your house.
You could certainly create an advent calendar garland using tiny gift bags or envelopes and fill each one with candy. I love this garland Advent calendar, but alas, I do not sew (at least, not well). I prefer to avoid the candy if at all possible, which is hard this time of year (I’m looking at you Halloween!), so I went with a dentist-friendly option – write an activity for you and your family to do together on each of the 25 days.
DIY Christmas Advent Calendar
Ready to make one of your own? Here are the steps and supplies you need to create a cute, and kid-friendly advent calendar.
Supplies:
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- Open back frame (mine is approx. 19” x 23”)
- Christmas Ribbon
- Floral wire (I used 24 gauge because that’s what I had on hand, you might want to go a little stronger)
- Wire cutters
- Staple Gun
- Small nails
- Hammer
- 25 various gift tags or pieces of card stock
- 25 clothespins
- Your favorite pen
- Number Stickers and/or stamps
Instructions:
Gather your supplies and decide which 25 tags to use. I wanted to mix-and-match so I needed to plan the layout before putting the numbers on the tags.
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Stamp the numbers or place stickers on each of the 25 cards. Tip: make sure to test out the stamps a few times so you know just how much ink to use without smudging and smearing.
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While the stamps dry, choose your ribbon and grab your staple gun. Flip over your frame and start at the top left corner, staple the ribbon to the frame. Proceed in a zig zag formation, pulling the ribbon taut each time, until you reach the bottom right corner. The more rows the better.
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I decided the ribbon wasn’t quite strong enough for me since I would be using normal-size clothespins to hang the tags. So I followed the same zig zag pattern using plant wire. Hammer small nails into the back of the frame near where each of the staples are located. Wrap the wire around the nails and use wire cutters to snip.
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The tags should be dry by now so it’s time to flip them over and add your activities.
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Finally, hang your tags on the frame using clothespins and find a great place to display it in your home.
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Here are my 25 activities – feel free to borrow mine, or create your own list:
- Debate (for hours) what it is exactly the Elf on the Shelf does when we aren’t home.
- Wrap presents together for out-of-town family members.
- Make Christmas gifts for teachers.
- Choose new toys to donate to Toys-For-Tots.
- Write a letter to Santa.
- Watch at least one of the Tim Allen Santa Claus movies (I love them all!).
- Bake Christmas cookies.
- Make Grandma’s Rum Balls and pass them out to the neighbors (notice that says “pass them out to the neighbors” and not “give them to the neighbors and then watch them pass out from the rum,” just to clarify).
- Make sand angels (it doesn’t snow here, but this time of year is perfect beach weather).
- Take a long walk or a drive after dark to look at Christmas lights.
- Read a Christmas book next to the tree.
- Make and decorate a gingerbread house.
- Wrap presents.
- Have a Christmas music dance party.
- Trim the tree.
- Make snowflakes and hang them up around the house.
- Make hot cocoa and enjoy in your Christmas PJs.
- Make some Christmas crafts (preferably ones that we can give as gifts!).
- Have a picnic dinner in front of the Christmas tree.
- Head to the library to check out some more Christmas books.
- Make popcorn garland for the tree.
- Write Christmas cards for teachers and school friends.
- Make gifts for teachers.
- Buy some Christmas or Winter-themed puzzles to do in front of the tree (we love puzzles here).
- Set out the reindeer food and read Twas The Night Before Christmas.
What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
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Love this idea – going to save on Pinterest for a Christmas idea!! Thanks Natalie!!
So glad you like it!! Thank you!
I want to decorate already too, so your not alone! 🙂 Very cute craft (and blog). Love it!
Thank you! I know – I was done with Halloween (took the decorations down last night) Can’t wait to get out my Christmas decorations!
Not only do I love the craft but I love your activities! I’m going to make an adult version for my husband and I and include the girls in some of the activities! We also love the Tim Allen movies. Lastly will you guest post for FoodieFriday and post your Rum Balls on TBC?
It’s not right just how much I love the Tim Allen Christmas movies! I love the idea of an adult version – kind of a twist on “dating your mate.” I would love to guest post on TBC with my Rum Balls recipe (a few friends have already asked when I plan on making my first batch:).
What a neat idea! I need to find a big picture frame now!
Check the thrift stores:)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea. I’ve always admired the ones I’ve seen on pinterest and wanted to create one for my family! I’m thinking this would be neat for more than just Christmas, but a way to connect with the famiily each month! Activities we can all do together!!!
What a great idea – you really could change the theme of the calendar up very easily! I might have to try this myself:)
NATALIE! This is so cute and you are SO very creative….I don’t know how you do it!!!
LOL! Thank you! My mom and I laugh at how much I am crafting these days;) I can’t stop myself!
I am going to have to come over and learn (once we have kids) because I can’t even cut a heart out of construction paper:)…I thought I was crafty redoing our bathroom closet with baskets:)
I love this so, it is really a great idea.
awesome!!! love it
I’ve always wanted an advent calendar, but never found one I liked in the stores. Now I can make my own with your tutorial. Thanks. 😀
You are quite welcome!
I love this .. I think I’ll have to steal this idea for my son. He needs to get more involved!
Great job!!
Each year I tell myself that I am going to do an advent calendar and each year I don’t/ I think your craft will be the thing that gets me to do one.
-r
Awesome:) Send us a picture when you do!
Wow, wow and wow. It’s a very nice idea to get the kids involved. Definitely will try this for Christmas month. Thanks for sharing.
Awww, thank you! Let me know how it turns out!
I LOVE this idea! Advent Calendars are great but they can get pricey. And the whole personalized aspect is way better than store bought. I think this would be a fun project for my 8 year old and me. I will say though, I am taping a small Dove chocolate to the back of each one 😉
What a fun way to use some extras and to personalize an advent calendar.
I Love your Advent Calendar , the easy step-by-step instructions and the 25 activities that go with it .I would like to feature it on my Squidoo Lens ” How to make a Stuffed Advent Calendar Tree ” .Thank you for sharing .
Thank you! feel free to share:)