Keepsake: DIY Advent Calendar
Creating your own Advent calendar isn’t just a fun family activity – it allows you to choose the contents for each day in December. Puzzle pieces, hair accessories, matchbox cars, stickers, K-cups, lip balm, scripture versus, fizzy tub tablets, and craft supplies are just a few options. The possibilities for creative countdown fun are endless!
Supplies
- 24 cardboard tubes or plastic cups
- Large piece of cardboard
- Colored tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- 24 calendar stuffers (see above for ideas)
Instructions
Step 1
Laying the piece of cardboard flat, arrange the tubes (or cups) in the shape that you would like for your Advent calendar to take. A Christmas tree, Santa’s beard, or a circular wreath are a few fun ideas. Even a simple square can make a cozy Advent Christmas cottage or wrapped gift.
Step 2
Trace around the arranged tubes (or cups) and cut the cardboard out into that shape. Glue the cardboard tubes (or cups) onto the cardboard one at a time by applying a layer of glue to the rim of the tube or bottom of cup. Allow to glue to dry overnight.
Step 3
Place the calendar stuffers in each tube (or cup) and cut the tissues paper into squares approximately two inches larger than the open end of the tube (or cup).
Step 4
Place a square of tissue paper over the top of each tube (or cup) and secure to rim using glue or a rubber band placed to hold the edges of the paper around the tube (or cup).
Step 5
Using a marker, write the numbers 1 through 24 on the tissue covering the top of the tubes (or cups). You can also use numbered stickers or number the cardboard base directly beneath where the tube (or cup is mounted.)
Step 6
Have fun punching through the tissue paper as you count down to Christmas!
Have You Made This?
“I love using our homemade Advent calendar to give clues each morning to where our Elf on the shelf is hiding. It’s a fun way to combine two of our family’s favorite traditions.”
“Our family’s favorite part is choosing our Advent ‘theme’ each Christmas. One year it was Seasonal Survival and the contents were all camping supplies, another year it was No Cavity Christmas and we put floss, toothbrushes, and mini mouthwash in there!”
“Don’t laugh, but I make an Advent calendar filled with dog treats for my furbabies every year. I like the daily reminder that Christmas is coming closer and my pups love the treats! They get so excited every morning when I walk over to where the calendar hangs in our kitchen.”
“We put each character and animal from our navity set in our calendar and add to it as Christmas gets closer.”
Christmas Cards and Open Hearts
Christmas Cards and Open Heartsy recently married cousin called the other day to ask if she needed to start sending Christmas cards now that she was officially an adult. She liked receiving cards but wasn’t sure that she was ready to get on board...
Bake: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Bake: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip BreadStephanie Saltz grew up watching her mother bake pumpkin chocolate chip bread instead of cookies each Christmas. "At the time I thought we were being ripped off," she says. "All of the other families I knew made cookies at...
Light Work
Light Workhated the idea of hanging Christmas lights outside of our home. I thought it was a waste of time to put up lights only to take them back down a few weeks later. My wife, on the other hand, had trouble imagining Christmas in our home...
The Wonder of Advent
The Wonder of Advents a child, I would eagerly await the arrival of December 1, the day we could start opening our Advent calendars. The thick, paper calendars – imported from Europe by my mom who’d spent most of her childhood there as a missionary...