Our November DIY Challenge is shopping your home, DIY Christmas. In other words, at least in my case, it’s “Get busy finishing up all the projects you bought from last year.” Procrastination, in this case, is a good thing! Seriously, we were challenged to make Christmas decor out of the things we already had, without buying anything. So what did I make? A Christmas Advent Calendar.
If you are coming here from Cindy’s, Cloches and Lavender, WELCOME, I’m so glad that you are here!
Also, I want to extend a great big thank you to Terrie from Decorate And More With Tip for a fabulous job of hosting.
I found this paper mâché advent calendar box last year and couldn’t wait to get started on it.
However, we all know that didn’t happen.
It got put in the back of my craft closet until I had more time.
Good news, if you want to make one, they are on sale for 50% off right now at Hobby Lobby.
I dug around in my 5000 pages of scrapbook paper and found 5 different complimentary patterns to cover my boxes with.
To help count down the days, these felt stars and trees with wooden numbers were a perfect size for the front of the small boxes.
I found these last year also, however, they have them at Hob Lob again this year.
Step 1
Spray paint your boxes.
Honestly, if I’d had red spray paint I would have used it instead of the black.
Still, the black looks good with my paper.
Step 2 and 3
Lay the front of the small boxes onto the paper and trace around the box.
Then cut them out.
Once you have your paper cut out, paste the paper to the front of the boxes.
I used Mod Podge, however regular glue would work also.
I also covered the outsides of my main box with paper.
Tip: I painted glue onto my boxes, positioned the paper, then painted a thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper and box.
Step 4:
Once the boxes are completely dry, put the boxes back into the main box.
Then it’s time to put the numbers onto the fronts of the small boxes.
My numbers went from 1 to 24, however there were 25 boxes.
On the 25th box I placed a felt Santa face for the 25th.
These numbers had sticky dots to attach them to the boxes, however I added hot glue to the dots to ensure that they didn’t pop off.
Step 5
Add a festive bow to the top.
I thought that it would look cute to make my calendar look like a Christmas present.
It’s just not a present without a bow!
I dug out my Christmas ribbon and made a bow from scraps.
Step 6
Add a name tag.
Since my Christmas Advent Calendar is going to my sweet great niece, I added her name to a wooden tag and glued it to the top of the box.
Just like you would with a Christmas present.
Step 7
Add treats, candy, or money to the boxes.
What better way to make it fun than by adding tiny inexpensive treats to each box?
When my boys were little, they couldn’t wait to open each box daily on their Christmas Advent Calendars.
I’m going to try and fill the boxes with fun things my niece will love.
I’m so glad that our DIY Challenge was to make something out of what you had.
Otherwise I might have never finished this Advent calendar!
Next on our stop, is Michelle’s from Blessings By Me!
Then, I hope you will join me in visiting all of the other DIY Challenge participants.
I can’t wait to see what they have done!
DECORATE & MORE WITH TIP | cloches & Lavender | PATINA & PAINT
BLESSINGS BY ME | BLUESKY AT HOME | JUNK TO GEMS
PALLET & PANTRY | THE HOUSE HOUSE | B4 & AFTERS
