Introduction: Easy, Fast and Beautiful Advent Calendar
Time flies, and it’s only a little more than a month until Christmas. If you need a last-minute advent calendar which is easy to make, looks great and doesn’t cost a fortune, go on reading:
Step 1: What You Need
The basis for each calendar is a simple 12×12 sheet of scrapbooking paper glued to a 12×12 piece of sturdy cardboard. As I love to repurpose stuff, I use old covers of vinyl records ;)
You further need:
paper glue
scissors, cutter knife, cutting mat
a 3/4 inch circle punch or stamps/stickers with numbers
thin ribbon
hole punch, for example the Crop-a-Dile
24 printed stories/recipes/quotes
if you like, my file with premade numbers
Attachments
Step 2: Add Numbers
I used a 3/4 inch circle punch to create numbers which match the colors of my paper. If you like, you can use the numbers-in-circles design (download in step 2), print and punch (3 color schemes on one sheet).
Alternatively, use stickers or number stamps, whatever you like.
Step 3: Punch Holes
Beneath the numbers, I used my crop-a-dile to punch small holes through the calendar. If you don’t have a crop-a-dile, you can use an eyelet tool or a hole punch out of daddy’s toolbox. Punch two extra holes in the upper left and right corner, so the calendar can be hung to the wall.
Step 4: Attach the Gifts
As you can see, I chose to stamp the numbers directly on the dots of this beautiful paper.
I chose 24 short stories, poems, recipes etc. and printed them on high quality paper. I folded and/or rolled the sheets, tied them to a pretty ribbon and threaded the ribbons through the calendars’ holes. A square knot on the back – that’s it. I used a small IKEA Allen wrench to push the ribbons through the holes. If you give the calendar to a couple, you can use two different ribbon colors for them to take turns in opening the gifts.
Step 5: Embellish
The calendar will look great, anyway, but you can add embellishments which appear underneath the gifts. Here I chose to attach a snowflake which I tinted with alcohol inks.
Step 6: Give It to Someone You Love!
Some ideas what to add as gifts:
Poems, recipes, jokes, seasonal short stories, vouchers, a list of "what I love about you", quotations, song lyrics, web links...
Please share your ideas!
1 Person Made This Project!
- fangheuschrecke made it!
9 Comments
6 years ago
I suck at crafts
9 years ago on Introduction
interesting and useful, cool gadgets.
9 years ago on Introduction
Very nice Instructable! Just thought I would suggest entering it in the office contest. I think it might qualify!
Sunshiine
https://www.instructables.com/id/Weekly-Make-It-Challenge-Office-Supplies/
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the info - it didn't occur to me that I'm using office supplies in this project, but I guess you could say so. I'll try my luck :D
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I think it will qualify but I am not sure. It is worth a try and the more entries the better the prize and the more winners! I wish you the best!
Sunshiine
9 years ago on Introduction
That's really cute! I've never seen an advent calendar with little gifts on it before :)
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks :)
In Germany it's very common to have an advent calendar with small gifts. I guess it's comparable to the American "stockings hanging from the mantelpiece" tradition. If you do a Google image search on the German term "Adventskalender", you'll see hundreds of gorgeous ideas ;)
Cheers
Anke
9 years ago on Introduction
I like the idea of the poems, stories, recipes etc. Great work!
9 years ago on Introduction
Lovely!