Inexpensive Way to Make a DIY Advent Calendar

Are you looking for a fun way to countdown to Christmas? Here’s an inexpensive way to make a DIY Advent calendar!

Counting down to Christmas is fun for the old and young alike!

I love advent calendars and found an adorable one at Michael’s and was so tempted to put it in my cart!

But, as I walked around the store looking at all the beautiful Christmas decor, I realized I could make it for so much less than buying it!

Here’s a look at my inexpensive DIY Advent calendar.

Do you have an advent calendar?

If you’ve never had one, you might be interested in learning its history.

What is an Advent Calendar

Advent comes from a Latin word meaning arrival or coming.

In the Christian tradition, Advent is four weeks and is intended as a time of preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ.

Non-religious people use modern Advent calendars to mark off the days leading up to Santa’s arrival on Christmas Day.

Advent Calendars typically start on December 1 and go until December 25, although some calendars only have 24 days.

Original calendars had a flap that would peel open and show a picture.

Then, calendars started incorporating boxes filled with a piece of chocolate.

Today, Advent calendars come in all shapes and sizes.

Last year, I created an advent calendar out of ornaments!

It was fun counting down the days, and at the end of the month, I had the cutest tabletop Christmas tree you’ve ever seen!

However, I wanted a calendar to add treats or candy to.

My inspiration for a DIY Advent Calendar

Here’s a picture of the Advent calendar I saw at Michael’s!

I loved how the cute houses could be filled with treats.

I was shocked to see the price was $69.99, and even with 40% off, it still cost approximately $42.00.

I knew I could make one cheaper than that.

So I went shopping, and here’s what I came up with!

I found this paper mache advent calendar box at Hobby Lobby for $14.99.

All Christmas is 50% off, so with the discount, the price was $7.50!!

Then, I drove to The Dollar Tree to look for a wood nativity scene I had seen there last year.

Unfortunately, they did not have it, but they had these cute kits with trees shaped like the ones on the Michael’s advent calendar.

I bought them and headed home to get started on this fun DIY!

Since I have everything else I need to make this calendar, I only spent $11.25 plus tax!

Steps to make a DIY Advent Calendar

Gather

Gather or purchase the following items to make this Advent calendar:

• Paper mache advent calendar box- Hobby Lobby
• Wood cutouts -Dollar Tree -2 sets
• Ruler
• Scrapbook paper- three different pattern printed sheets and one solid color sheet
• Hot glue gun & glue sticks
• Silicone finger protectors
• Square paper punch-optional
• Craft knife
• Scissors
• Number stamps OR number stencils OR number stickers
• Stamp pad (if using stamps)
• Wood filler-optional
• Paint -optional
• Paintbrush-optional

Prepare Wood Cutouts

First, make sure you don’t make the same mistake I did!

I grabbed two bags, assuming they were the same, but when I opened the second one, it had a snowman instead of a house.

So look closely and make sure you buy the cutouts you want.

Decide how you want your cutouts to look.

I turned one of the houses around, and it didn’t fit into the slots on the wood base.

So, I had to cut one of the tips off with my craft knife.

I didn’t want the holes to show in the base, so I filled them with wood filler.

After it dried, I painted them to match my scrapbook paper.

I also painted the outside of the calendar box.

Let the paint dry while you make the rest of the calendar!

Cut the Paper

Here are the four sheets of scrapbook paper I chose to cover the drawers of the calendar.

Cut the paper for each number

I used the square punch to make twenty-five 1-1/4″ squares with the solid cream paper.

Then, I made twenty-five 1-1/2″ squares with the polka-dot printed paper.

*Tip- In hindsight, I wish my number squares were smaller. I should have used the 1-1/4″ punch to make the larger squares and cut the smaller squares 1″!

Now, it’s time to cut the paper to cover the drawers.

Cut the paper for the drawers

I used my paper cutter for this part of the calendar.

The boxes are 2″ X 2,” but they are a bit crooked, so I added 1/8″ to the height of each square (you’ll see why in a minute).

Cut 13 squares from the first printed sheet.

Then, cut 12 pieces from the other sheet.

Stamp Numbers

Now stamp the numbers on the solid squares.

I had to redo the numbers I smeared, so make sure yours are dry before you touch them!

Prepare Numbers

Hot glue the numbers to the larger printed squares.

Be careful when using the hot glue gun, as it can burn you.

I recommend using silicone finger protectors!

Prepare Boxes

Hot glue the squares to the front of each calendar box.

Notice that the height of each square looks different since the cardboard boxes are a little crooked.

Since I made the height 2- 1/8″ high, I could trim the ones that stuck up taller.

Now, the boxes aren’t the same height but appear as they are!

Next, use a craft knife to cut out the half circle on top of the box.

Adhere the Numbers to the Boxes

Use hot glue to adhere the numbers to the boxes!

Adhere Wood Cutouts

Last, adhere the wood cutouts to the top of the calendar box with hot glue.

Enjoy Your New DIY Advent Calendar

I’m so excited to add treats to this sweet calendar!

Bring on December 1!

I hope you’re inspired to make a DIY Advent calendar to countdown to Christmas!

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Blessings, Donna and Rich

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