Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Make An Advent Calendar

We’re still working away on the kitchen, so we’ll have update post #561 for you soon (kidding, it’s probably more like #19 or something – but still). This week we’re hoping to share lots of major progress (new counters and a working sink again – finally!). In the meantime, it’s about time we got into the holiday spirit. There’s just something special about spending our first real Christmas in our new house that makes us want to go all out. We moved on the 13th of December last year, so we were technically here for last year’s holiday season, but we were living out of boxes and Clara was too young to really get excited about all of the magic that makes the season so special. But this year it’s on! So I kicked things off by making a little advent calendar to enjoy with Clara:

DIY Advent Calendar 1

DIy Advent Calendar22

Oh but here’s how it looks from her point of view (gotta soak up the days that she’s shorter than me, because I’m sure they’re numbered):

Advent Cal Claras View

This little holiday project was only $7.99 because I used things that we already had and only purchased one thing: this scarf hanger from Ikea:

Ikea Hack Advent Calendar

Allow me to paint you a picture of me at Ikea when the idea slowly hit:

  • I walked by said scarf hanger.
  • I thought to myself “self, there has got to be some other fun use for that.”
  • I stood there with my mouth half open staring at it for a good three minutes.
  • Then realized that it had 28 openings, which is pretty close to 25…
  • … which brought me to the idea of an advent calendar, which I had been meaning to make for the bean.

I decided the three extra circles could be “free spaces” and the rest of them could sport numbered tags and ornaments. Bam: instant advent calendar. It’ll be a fun daily activity to do with Clara (we’ll hang an ornament a day on the tree together as we work our way through the calendar).

Advent Calendar Detail

I actually whipped it up on December 2nd (procrastinate much?) but alas, we have yet to set up our tree (another sure sign of procrastination). So we’ve been admiring the ornaments as each day ticks by… hoping to get the tree up within the next few days so we can “catch up” and hang five or six ornaments on the tree all at once. Then we can go day by day from then out…

As for how I made it, I just took metal ornament hooks that we already had on hand and stuck various ornaments through them (if they didn’t have hooks already). Then I looped each hook over the circle or bar above each circle (all of them had circles above them except for the top row which had that bar). That way each ornament hung into the circle under that and was sort of framed that way. And of course we worked in some quirky ornaments in honor of our other kiddo (Burger). There’s the hamburger ornament that we found on clearance after Christmas last year at Michael’s for 50 cents:

Advent Hamburger

And the snowflake frame with his cute mug in it from a few years back:

Burger Picture Advent

And of course there’s a disco ball since we love to dance (that one doesn’t have anything to do with Burger, except he might get picked up and swirled around the room in celebration after we hang it).

Disco Ball Advent

As for the tags, I just cut a tag-ish shapes out of cardstock 25 times (using the first one as a guide and cutting around it like a template to make the other 24). Then I used a hole puncher to allow them to slip over the ornament hooks. But before adding one to each ornament’s hook I googled around for a nice font online (and found this one). So I glanced at it while sketching each number onto my cardstock tag with a pencil (it’s nice to have type inspiration nearby when you’re free-handing something – just for reference):

Number Tags 1

Then I just traced over each sketched out number with a pen once I liked the shape.

Number Tags 2

They’re definitely not perfect, but they’re pretty cute:

Advent Calendar Detail

Oh and I hung it with a removable 3M hook thing, so I wouldn’t have to make a nail hole in the front of our coat closet door:

Adventcalendar Hook

So we hope to have a bunch of fun holiday stuff going on for the next few weeks among kitchen updates and other projects. Count on posts about tree decorating (we’re doing a tabletop one and a full sized one) and even some outdoor stuff (we’re bound and determined to hang lights and really get festive). Oh and not to mention that Mrs. Limestone sweetly invited me to partake in her fun little Secret Santa thing with some awesome fellow bloggers…

Secret Santa Graphic

… which means I have to make a few gifty goodies and secretly mail them to someone (can’t tell you who) and see what turns up from another mystery blogger. Here’s everyone that’s in on it:

Should be fun, except that I have total stage fright and can’t think of anything creative to send. Here’s hoping a few days of advent-calendar-ing get my juices flowing. I wonder who has me. Any guesses? We’ll have to try to figure it out together when something shows up!

Oh and speaking of holiday stuff, West Elm asked us to round up a few of our favorite items over on their site (we weren’t paid or perked, it was just for fun). So you can check out our picks here and then click the arrow to scroll through all of our dorky quotes.

West Elm Picks

But enough about us. Have you started decorating for the holidays? Are you totally done already? Are you advent-calendar-ing? Have you ever used something from Ikea in an unusual way? How about Secret Santa experiences? Did you manage to give the perfect thing? I’m just hoping I don’t totally choke.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

  6. Gwenalyn says

    Such a cute idea for an advent calendar! I always forget to do advent calendars (I never even heard of them until I got married), but they really are a fun idea. We are having our first Christmas in our new house, too! We have a fireplace this year and hung the stockings with care and set up our tree. My 17 month old mastered the word “Santa” in about two seconds. Kids must be programmed for this stuff! :D

    Reply

  7. Traci @ yellowWISHBONE says

    I love the advent calendar! I have the same thing from Ikea hanging in my closet with scarves on it but you have inspired me to pull it out and do something fun with it!!

    I am participating in a secret cookie exchange right now! It is so fun to get baked goods from other people! :)

    Reply

  11. Meg@Keeping up with the Jenks' says

    I’m always in awe of your creativity! I’m not sure that we are going to get too festive this year as ALL of our holiday items are packed away and in storage. But, this one, I’m saving for next year. It’s a wonderful idea to count down the days.
    What a magical Christmas it will be with Clara this year! I can hardly wait to see my little one enjoy all the festivities.

    Reply

  12. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    The calendar is so cute! I found one from my childhood and just tacked it to the wall. I’ll probably make one next year though! Our tree is up and I’ve put up some decorations, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be adding things for the next 2 weeks as well. Happy decorating!

    Reply

  13. Krystal says

    It’s so nice to see that advent calendars still exist! I had a Santa-shaped one growing up that had 25 pockets, each one containing a Christmas-themed Golden book (I still have the calendar, but no idea what happened to the books). I was a terribly impatient child though, so I typically ended up reading all 25 books every night instead of the 1. haha.

    As for the Christmas decorating, I put my tree up on Thanksgiving day. It is super fun and I’m smiling like an idiot right now as I stare at it. Can’t wait until I find the time to do my annual Christmas cookie decorating (I tend to go all Martha Stewart and spend about an 1.5 hours on each cookie)

    http://krystalwitha-k.blogspot.com/2011/11/glitter-sparkle-and-peacock.html

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      A book-based advent calendar sounds like so much fun! Maybe I’ll have to make one like that for Clara next year! She loves books! And your tree is so pretty!

      xo,
      s

  14. sarahbclark! says

    i love your advent calendar idea! i always have intentions of doing something crafty each year but dec 1st always seems to sneak up on me. i’m bookmarking this now so i can do it next year.

    Reply

  15. Sarah says

    I opted to organize a standard grab-bag gift exchange (which will take place at a cookie exchange party–so excited) for that very reason… secret santa is too much pressure!

    Reply

  16. Rebecca @ the lil house that could says

    So happy that I’m not the only one who has yet to put up a tree. My parents always got a real tree just a week or two before Christmas, so I’ve never been one to do it too early. But it seems as though everyone has a tree up already! I’m in final paper hell of grad school and I actually need to clear a day to even decorate! I doubt I’ll be squeezing in crafty posts this year :(

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yup! Still getting stuff done around here and shooting pics! But counters go in this week so we should have lots of progress to share within the next few days!

      xo,
      s

  18. Bethany says

    I saw a great advent calendar idea (on pinterest, of course) where the gal put a winter activity for the family to do together in each day’s pocket.

    I LOVED the idea, but we didn’t have a wall calendar, so I just make a good, ol’-fashioned paper countdown chain and printed a different Christmas activity to do as a family on each day’s link!

    The kids get so excited every morning when we remove the chain to see what’s in store for the day. (Today, we’re unwrapping a new Christmas book to read together. Ü)

    Reply

  19. Kristen says

    Cute advent calendar! My Mom sent me a cute little Disney Princess advent calendar – when you open the day there’s a cute message inside. As for our decorations, we got them started last night. Tree is pretty much done but everything else is still a mess!

    Reply

  20. Zoe Feast says

    This is a lovely idea and you really can’t beat home made advent calendars. Last year my 12 year old took it upon herself to make one for me. It took her hours to make and behind each door was a little present. I had everything from gum to home made earrings and bangles. You can check it out here.
    http://www.indigoimage.com/wpblog/2010/12/eye-of-the-chicago-web-designer-creativity-is-genetic

    She hasn’t had a chance to make one this year but has planned a dance show to perform at home…she is making all the costumes and the basement is covered in tulle! I don’t mind the mess, it’s just great to see her be so creative!

    Reply

  21. Julia @ Chris loves Julia says

    We finished setting out all of our Christmas decor this weekend (I’ll post pics over at my blog today. My sweet husband spent 5 hours on the roof putting up the lights, and I feel so bad. They look pathetic. We went with LED lights because they are 98% more energy efficient…and they are nearly as bright. So sad. He spent so much time up there and when the big moment came (aka nightfall) we were both pretty bummed. Just a little tip for you and anyone else reading this. I definitely wouldn’t use LED again. Just us, though.

    Reply

  22. Raina@ Mamacita Spins The Globe says

    We just pulled our Christmas Decorations from the attic yesterday. No tree yet, either. Maybe next weekend.
    My parents gave my kids cute wooden Christmas Trees that have drawers and filled each drawer for them and my mom still sends me an advent card, even though I am in my thirties I know I can count on getting it and I always open the “door” when my kids are not around, so I can sip my tea and have a moment to enjoy the sentiment in peace… which means sometimes I am opening 3 at once. (still have yet to open one for yesterday or today :))

    Reply

  23. kerri says

    oh… decorating… how i have failed at it this year. our tree has been up since the day after thanksgiving… ornamentless… i keep staring at the boxes that are sitting in the living room… but i think they are taunting me… ;)

    Reply

  25. Justin says

    “…one or two in a neutral room would wake UP the whole place UP in a snap.”

    Interesting choice of words…just sayin’.

    By the way, I DIYed a shelf this weekend, and guess what sits proudly on it? A huge, white, ceramic, horse-head that I got for my wife awhile ago (think chess piece). You can see it here if you’re interested:

    http://justinandkatie.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/cottage-room/

    I think you’ll like it:)

    You might also like to know that “take that baby to the market” has become a part of our normal, everyday vernacular. It just fits so many situations.

    Reply

  27. cool says

    The advent calendar is awesome — you should whip a second one up to send to your secret santa, only with DIY-themed ornaments (a saw, a hammer, a ball of electrical tape. . .)

    Interesting tidbit — advent actually is a bit longer than 24 days, usually. It starts the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew and ends on the Sunday before Christmas (even if that Sunday happens to be Christmas eve). Growing up, our advent calendar always had 25-plus days on it and I was always very confused as to why other calendars were shorter!

    Reply

  28. Alisha H says

    I have a tabletop advent calender medicine chest looking thingy but haven’t used it for years. Until I found this neat idea of printing family activities on cute Christmas tags to put in the drawers instead of toys-n-such! Already, we’ve done things like watched a Christmas movie, made those construction paper chain garlands, wrote letters of appreciation to family members, and told corny Christmas jokes. Even my older (almost teenager) child is getting into it and loving spending time with the family.

    Reply

  29. Jackie says

    Love the advent calendar and hanging the ornaments with Clara idea!

    I was telling my husband last night that the advent calendars we always had when I was growing up were candy filled. I am the youngest of 3 kids, so my siblings and I would always argue as to who got the candy each day. My poor parents would try to evenly rotate the candy distribution, haha!

    Reply

  32. Jamie says

    Well, I just made our Advent calendar last night, so pat yourselves on the back: you’re not as much of a procrastinator as I am! Blame it on real life with a 14-month-old :) It’s the thought that counts, right?

    Reply

  34. Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says

    AWW! Love your Advent Calendar! What a great idea! I was actually thinking about your move the other day. I was like, hmm John and Sherry did the crazy Christmas dash last year to set up and take down the tree before they moved just for baby Clara’s Christmas! I thought that was so adorable but knowing that you guys were in box city last Christmas I was pumped thinking about the decor this year now that everything is settled and Clara is old enough to get in on the Christmas festivities! I can’t wait to see the decor this year! I really have been waiting since last year for this! :-)

    Reply

  37. Zoë says

    Advent calendars are huge in England where I grew up, and once I moved to the US, I wanted to keep up the tradition. We have a felt advent calendar that my mum sent over when our son was little, along with the chocolate to go in it (Marks and Spencer chocolate is yummylicious). Several years later, there are are now 3 chocolates in each pocket, one each for our 7 yr old son, our soon-to-be 4 year old daughter, and our 15 month old toddler girl. This year, I didn’t fill the calendar until last night after the kiddies were in bed (yeah, I’m a slacker), and this morning our eldest girl declared that Santa had stopped by to drop off the chocolates – I didn’t correct her, lol.

    My favorite advent calendar from my childhood didn’t have chocolate, but useless plastic trinkets (think random animals and people that had nothing to do with Christmas). I loved opening each door to see what I got that day. I carefully saved each piece in a little shell-covered box and would examine my treasures on a regular basis. At 36, I still have that box full of treasures hidden in a keepsake box, and I get get an excited tingle when I take a peek inside, remembering the joy I felt as a child at Christmastime.

    Reply

  39. Jess at Life, Happily Ever After says

    I LOVE the advent calendar! I would never think to use that Ikea scarf hanger that way! (I also bought those same snowflake ornaments for my tree at target! 4/$1.00!)

    We decorated our tree this weekend and I blogged about it. Do you guys prefer your christmas tree with personal ornaments or a matching theme?

    Also (sorry this is so long!) I am a part of a community on The Knot and we do a secret santa (and secret pumpkin, secret bunny, etc) and it always works out great! I think you will love it!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      As for the tree, we usually like to change it up each year with different colors or themes (you can check out our Projects page for lots of holiday posts from the past to see different tree set-ups). But we always work the meaningful ornaments in there too. Tucked among a bunch of colorful or special ones that we make for that year’s theme!

      xo,
      s

  40. Jessica says

    I’ve followed your blog for three years or so, never commented, but I just want to say: I’m more addicted to your kitchen reno series than I was to waiting for a new LOST episode every week. And LOST is my favorite show ever.

    And I like the advent calendar!

    Reply

  41. amanda f. says

    Your calendar is adorable! We’ve always had advent calendars with our boys, and it’s one of their favorites!
    I was so excited to open my email from Westelm and see YHL…very cool!
    Happy Holidays!

    Reply

  42. Jess M. says

    I love that advent calendar idea!! Might have to ‘borrow’ it!

    We are totally done decorating as of the week after Thanksgiving. Insane I know but we had a big holiday party at our house last weekend so it had to be done early. I have to admit it’s kinda nice with that stress out of the way! Can’t wait to see what you two do :D

    Reply

  43. Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    I really wanted to do an advent calendar this year, but ran out of time to get one made. Next year for sure! I’ve got to quit procrastinating and get our decorating finished soon so we can enjoy it! The Little House is starting to look pretty festive!

    Can’t wait for the kitchen update!!

    Reply

  44. Connie says

    I see a Christmas themed solo pinterest challenge in your future :) Great idea for the advent calendar! I’ve been wanting to make one for YEARS and haven’t… maybe this will inspire me!

    Reply

  45. Paige says

    That’s so cute and easy! I’ve seen that scarf holder at IKEA too, and always thought it would work well for something else. :-)

    I hear ya about the tree. We only put ours up yesterday, and we didn’t even do lights. I might dig them out, though, because it’s looking a little naked without them.

    Reply

  47. Darcy says

    I totally love the Advent calenday, but I just have to comment on those Owl measuring cups!!

    They are about the cutest things I’ve seen in a while!! I love them in that happy yellow color! They would make me smile every day if they were in my kitchen!! I am going to have to order those tonight, cause I can’t wait for Christmas for them!!

    AND — they will look AMAZING on your open shelving – Hint Hint John or any family members reading!! LOL!

    Reply

  49. Robin @ Our Semi Organic Life says

    We set up our tree and are full into decorating in our new house (too!) this year. Since we are on a strict budget it’s homemade free to me decorations only. It’s fun to get so creative with stuff around the house. Blogging now about painted pinecones and cardboard trees for the mantle.

    Reply

  50. Katie says

    Can there ever be too much Younghouselove blog reading? (I think not!) However, your lovely family did appear in my dream two nights ago, with a surprise guest… Katie Bower! Ha! Anyway, I do really love what you guys do and thank you for opening up your lives for us to read! Merry Christmas!

    Reply

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