Is there anything quite like the anticipation of the holiday season? Every year, I find myself daydreaming about how magical it would be to create my very own advent calendar. I mean, who doesn't get that warm fuzzy feeling opening up a little door each day, revealing a surprise? Just the other day, I stumbled upon an old calendar filled with candies from my childhood, and it hit me—why not reawaken that joy? Isn’t it the simple traditions that truly make the holiday spirit shine? It’s funny, isn’t it? Something so small can bring so much happiness. This year, I’m ready to craft something beautiful and meaningful that’ll fill each day of December with excitement. Let’s make something unforgettable together!
Items You’ll Need
- Cardstock or heavy paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Markers or colored pens
- Ruler
- Craft knife
- Hot glue gun (optional)
- Decorative materials
- Small treats or gifts
- Boxes or envelopes
- String or ribbon
- Template for advent calendar
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather my materials
First, I take a moment to gather all my equipment: cardstock or heavy paper, scissors, glue, markers, ruler, craft knife, hot glue gun (if I want to use it), decorative materials, small treats or gifts, boxes or envelopes, string or ribbon, and my template for the advent calendar.
Step 2: Decide on the design
I sit down with my template and envision how I want my advent calendar to look. Should I go for a classic look or something more whimsical? I sketch out a rough design with spaces for each day.
Step 3: Cut out the shapes
Using my scissors, I carefully cut out the shapes of the boxes or envelopes from the cardstock based on my template. I make sure to have enough for all 24 days leading up to Christmas.
Step 4: Decorate the boxes
Now comes the fun part! I use my markers and decorative materials to embellish each box or envelope. I write numbers 1 through 24 on them and add festive drawings like stars, snowflakes, and holiday lights.
Step 5: Prepare the treats or gifts
I select small treats or gifts to put inside each box. These could be little candies, inspirational quotes, or even mini ornaments. I carefully place one surprise in each box or envelope.
Step 6: Assemble the calendar
Once my boxes are ready, I arrange them according to my design. I might stack them or create a grid pattern. I secure them together using glue or tape. For a more solid structure, I might use a hot glue gun.
Step 7: Add a decorative touch
To give my advent calendar some flair, I add decorative materials around the boxes. This could be string or ribbon to tie a bow on the top or even some greenery like pine branches to evoke the holiday spirit.
Step 8: Hang or display the calendar
Now that everything is in place, I find a nice spot to display my advent calendar. I might use string or ribbon to hang it on the wall, or I could set it up on a shelf. I step back and admire my work!
Step 9: Enjoy the countdown
Once my advent calendar is complete, I'm ready to countdown to Christmas. Each day, I can open a little box and enjoy the treat or gift inside, making the holiday season even more special!