Easy Homemade Advent Calendar

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I grew up with my mom making an Advent calendar for us to use each year to celebrate the Christmas season. She made one for my own family to use and my children have always looked forward to the excitement of our Advent calendar. With my “baby” away at college, I wanted to make an Advent calendar for her to celebrate the Christmas season while she’s at college. Unfortunately, thanks to my gut-wrenching surgery, I’m a bit behind on my Christmas and holiday plans. This easy homemade Advent calendar solved my dilemma using items I already had in my home. 

white paper with blue, green and red words and numbers with pine branches and Santa suits crafts scattered

Last year I sent my “baby” and her roommates a DIY Advent Calendar from recycled yogurt cups. I wanted to something similar this year, but something much quicker and easier to make. 

Have you ever had that light bulb moment when two projects morph into a new project in your imagination? I had already been thinking about how I could use this easy envelope gift bag idea to make an Advent calendar. Then I saw this DIY hand lettered gift tag idea and Bing! I knew how’d I’d make an easy homemade Advent calendar for my “baby” this year. 

Supplies

Envelopes – I used extra-large envelopes that I had picked up years ago.

blue, green and red markers laying on top of stack of large white envelopes

Permanent Marker – I had these markers in pretty colors, but you could use a simple black pen for a more striking look.

red marker on white paper next to outline of the word "peace"

Simply write your word across the front of the envelope. Follow this simple tutorial from One Artsy Mama to learn how to create “pretty” words. 

white paper with the word "joy" written in red, blue and green

With just a little practice, you’ll find it’s easy and even relaxing to make your way through 25 envelopes. You can see the improvement in my writing technique from my first envelope (the green one) to my later ones. These graphic words make such an impact on the envelope. 

I chose words that relate to the Christmas season and wrote them in three bright, cheerful colors. 

2 columns of white paper with blue, green and red words and numbers on white wood table

I numbered each envelope, one for each day of December until Christmas. 

It took about 20 minutes to create 25 Advent calendar envelopes. It’s simple to slip small gifts or notes into each envelope.

Easy Homemade Advent Calendar

white paper with blue, green and red words and numbers with pine branches and Santa suits crafts scattered

This easy envelope Advent calendar is simple to send to my “baby” at college. Once she opens each envelope, she can recycle the envelope leaving her with nothing she would have to store for next year or send back home. 

 If you have 20 minutes, you have time to make your own easy homemade Advent calendar. How do you celebrate the Advent season?

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9 Comments

  1. Such a loving gift for your college girl. My Dad makes “countdown” notes during the month of December, usually with photos and stories, that they can have at college/work. Even older kids enjoy getting ready for Christmas:)

  2. I grew up with Advent calendars – it was a tradition my German Mother began. My Mother always sends one to my daughter (now grown). She loves them because they have a chocolate behind each window! This is a great idea and a fun way to brighten anyone’s day. You are so crafty!

  3. I buy advent calendars every year for the Grandchildren. I’m a bit behind this year & you’ve inspired me to make them. I think it’s important to show them that not everything can be bought.

  4. I love this idea! I need to plan on doing this for next year! I am simply not organized enough this year to make it happen.

  5. Pingback: Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas - Forgetful Momma

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