A simple tutorial for how to make your own advent calendar. This handmade calendar is sure to be enjoyed for many holiday seasons!
Happy December! We made an Advent Calendar this year, in my favorite color scheme, aqua + red. I had been admiring all the advent calendars on Etsy, but I didn’t want to spend a ton of money, and I thought it would be fun to make one myself.
I used 2 ½″x1 ½″ Kraft paper jewelry boxes that I had on hand, and decorated them with washi tape and red sticker letters and numbers.  This is where I got the cardboard boxes. They come in a case of 100. If you don’t need that many, you may be able to find them at a craft store individually.
Update: Of course Amazon sells them, too! I have all the links at the end.
To make your own advent calendar, you’ll need large wooden letters to spell JOY, paint, hobby wood, and the cardboard boxes. It was pretty simple, it just took awhile to decorate each individual box.
Step by step instructions to make your own advent calendar:
- Paint a piece of craft wood your desired color. The piece I used was 10″ x 20″.
- Paint wooden letters your desired color. You could choose to spell JOY, or HOPE, or MERRY. Let dry, then hot glue them to the top of the board. You can also affix decorations near the letters – I used felt snowflakes.
- Gather the cardboard boxes, and use stickers and washi tape to decorate. Hot glue the finished boxes to the painted board. (I used 25, and include a special note to open on Christmas morning. You could use 24 if you wish).
- Fill the boxes with candy or little toys, notes, or stickers. You can also make your own allergy friendly candy if you are dealing with food allergies.
Done! Since I had the boxes already, it was relatively inexpensive.  I’ve used this calendar in a few different ways since making it. The first year, I simply filled the boxes with stickers, chocolate and tiny toys.
The next year we did Truth in the Tinsel (affiliate link), so I did it a little differently.
Truth in the Tinsel is a Advent daily craft activity for kids and parents to do together.
For each day there is a word that relates to the Advent story, like “light,” or “star” and then a corresponding Bible passage to read and an ornament to make. When we did Truth in the Tinsel, I hid a piece of candy and the word printed out on a small scrap of paper in each box. My sons LOVE Truth in the Tinsel and I can’t say enough good things about it!
The ornaments are super cute and really help reinforce the details of the Christmas story in little one’s minds.
tricia
Did lids fall off when hung?
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
What a pretty calendar! You did an amazing job! Angie xo
Kellie @ My So Called Green Life
Such a cute idea. Thanks for sharing!
Pam
Me too! I just finished mine last night. I like yours so so much! (I used match boxes) TFS
Crafty Mischief
Your advent is so cute! I found you through TT&J. Thanks for sharing!
aPearantly sew
It turned out so cute! I love it, and the colors are great!
Angie
I have never done an advent calender and would love to make one.. maybe next yr! Thanks for sharing! I am now following!
I found you on TT&J! I would love for you come by and join me by linking this up at my new “Create and Inspire” linky party! ;)
http://www.littleinspiration.com/2011/12/create-and-inspire-linky-party.html
Thanks,
Angie from A Little Inspiration
Meeling
Love it!! Super cute Kelly!
Mallorie Owens
Cute! Never thought to make my own advent…love this :)
Eva Scott
So simple and pretty!!
Toaster4JC
That is totally adorable!!! I’ll probably do an advent calendar next year for our little one :).
Sara
So darling!! Would LOVE it if you would link this up at my turquoise lovin’ party! (and red during the holidays) http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2011/11/turquoise-lovin-15.html
Faith
So fun! I’ve never done an advent calendar before, but I’d like to next year.