Instead of purchasing an advent calendar at the store filled with sub-par chocolates, make your own and fill it with whatever treats you like.
Materials
24 Envelopes (The small kind works well for a smaller calendar to hang on a door, the larger envelopes work for multiple treats for multiple kids)
Thick poster board, piece of cardboard, or artist's canvas board
Christmas fabric
Assorted patterned Christmas paper
Solid color paper
Ribbons, ricrac
24 tiny wooden signs, small wooden squares, etc.
Directions
Choose a background fabric for the poster board and two-three different papers to match You can also use Christmas ribbons. Pick a solid color to go inside the envelopes as an insert. You can use red, green, silver, blue, or even berry colors.
Fold back the flap of each envelope and tape it down, so that you have the open V-shape left. Cut out a solid color insert to fit neatly inside the envelope and hide any white.
Divide the envelopes into three sets of six. Decorate each set differently with your chosen paper or ribbons. Cut out the paper and glue it to the envelope, cutting out the V-shape and trimming to make sure they match. Now you have made your advent pockets.
Lay the envelopes down on the poster board four across and mark this width with a pencil. You will have six rows of four envelopes. Lay down a vertical line of six envelopes on your poster board (the first envelope from your row of four), spaced about an inch apart, and mark this length with your pencil.
Remove the envelopes and cut out your poster board from your markings. Use a ruler to make straight lines before cutting if necessary.
Once cut, wrap your Christmas fabric around your board, tightly securing at the back with pins or adhesive. A quick whip stitch will make the fabric look neat and lay flat.
Once covered with fabric, arrange your decorative envelopes on the board in six rows of four. Mix up the three sets so that your design is random throughout the arrangement.
Secure the envelopes to the board with adhesive or double sided tape.
If you can find tiny wooden signs (with metal wire) at the craft store, use these to add numbered signs to each pocket. Otherwise, use small wooden squares. You can paint the squares white with black numbers or red with white numbers, etc. Paint the numbers 1-24 on the squares and glue randomly on the envelopes. You don’t want to make it too easy to find the right day!
Create a hanger for your advent calendar with festive ribbon or ricrac. Glue each end to the reverse of the board or stitch in place. You can also cover this join with fabric for a neater look.
Fill the pockets with assorted treats and enjoy on the respective day until Christmas. I hope this makes the wait a bit more bearable!
