The countdown to Christmas is always filled with anticipation, and what better way to heighten the excitement than with a handcrafted advent calendar? At Robert Kline Art, we believe in the magic of DIY, and this project is sure to infuse your holiday season with warmth and creativity.
This guide goes beyond a simple DIY, offering a story, a challenge, and a solution – all seasoned with practical tips and creative inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting, join us as we unlock the joy of making your own advent calendar.
My Quest for the Perfect Advent Calendar
Every year, I find myself captivated by the advent calendars in stores. The promise of daily treats, the festive designs – they’re hard to resist! This year was no different. I stumbled upon the most charming advent calendar at Michael’s, adorned with little houses perfect for holding sweet surprises. But the hefty price tag of $69.99, even with a 40% discount, gave me pause.
That’s when the DIY spirit ignited within me. Could I recreate this charming calendar without breaking the bank? The challenge was on!
Gathering Supplies: A Frugal Crafter’s Treasure Hunt
Armed with determination, I embarked on a mission to source affordable alternatives. My first stop was Hobby Lobby, where I unearthed a plain paper mache advent calendar box for a mere $7.50 after a 50% discount. Success!
Next, I ventured to The Dollar Tree, hoping to find wooden nativity cutouts I had seen before. While they didn’t have those, fate intervened – I found adorable wooden tree cutouts that mirrored the ones on the Michael’s calendar.
With a total investment of just $11.25 plus tax, I had all the ingredients for a unique, handmade advent calendar.
Creating Your Own DIY Advent Calendar
Materials:
- Paper mache advent calendar box
- Wooden cutouts (trees, houses, or any festive shapes)
- Scrapbook paper in various patterns and a solid color
- Ruler
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Silicone finger protectors (highly recommended for hot glue projects)
- Square paper punch (optional)
- Craft knife
- Scissors
- Number stamps, stencils, or stickers
- Stamp pad (if using stamps)
- Wood filler (optional)
- Paint (optional)
- Paintbrush (optional)
Instructions:
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Prepping the Wooden Cutouts: Examine your wooden cutouts. If they don’t fit the base as desired, don’t hesitate to trim them with a craft knife. Use wood filler to conceal any unwanted holes and paint the cutouts to match your scrapbook paper.
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Paper Precision: Cut twenty-five 1-1/4″ squares from your solid scrapbook paper for the numbers. From the patterned paper, cut twenty-five 1-1/2″ squares to serve as backgrounds for the numbers.
Pro Tip: Aim for slightly smaller number squares for a more balanced look.
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Creating the Drawer Covers: Measure the drawer fronts, adding 1/8″ to the height to accommodate any inconsistencies. Cut the required number of squares from your patterned scrapbook paper.
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Number Time: Stamp, stencil, or adhere stickers to your solid squares to create the numbers 1 through 25.
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Assembling the Number Plaques: Using hot glue (and those handy finger protectors!), center and adhere each number onto its patterned square.
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Drawer Transformation: Glue the assembled number plaques to the drawer fronts. If any plaques appear uneven due to box inconsistencies, carefully trim them with scissors.
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Finishing Touches: Use a craft knife to neatly cut out the semi-circular openings on the drawers. Then, attach the wooden cutouts to the top of the calendar box with hot glue, creating a charming scene.
Unveiling Your Masterpiece: A Countdown to Cherish
Congratulations! You’ve transformed simple materials into a personalized advent calendar that reflects your creativity and thoughtfulness. Fill each drawer with treats, small gifts, or heartwarming messages to make the countdown truly special.
This DIY advent calendar isn’t just a decoration; it’s an embodiment of your crafting spirit and a testament to the joy of creating something beautiful and meaningful. Share your masterpiece with loved ones or keep it as a testament to your crafting prowess.
Join the Robert Kline Art Community
At Robert Kline Art, we believe in the power of handmade creations to enrich lives and create lasting memories. We hope this DIY advent calendar project has inspired you to embrace your creativity this holiday season.
Don’t forget to explore our website for more unique, handcrafted gifts and DIY inspiration. Share your creations with us; we’d love to see your take on this charming advent calendar!