Easy DIY Yuletide Advent Calendar

Did you grow up creating a DIY advent calendar for Christmas? I did! It was such a fun family activity and something that I'll always remember. I used the new LDRS Creative Yuletide 12x12 Paper along with some die cutting to create a fun way to use activities to count down the days until Christmas.

This scrapbook page advent calendar was so easy to create - and behind each one of those windows is a surprise Holiday-themed activity for my family to do as we countdown to Christmas. I started by cutting the windows for the advent calendar. I used the scalloped rectangle and window panel die from the Pretty Patterns Slimline Dies, taped them together, and cut 12 pieces of white cardstock. Now it's time to add the countdown numbers to the front of each window. I used Alloy Hybrid Ink and stamped the block style letters from the Countdown to Christmas Numbers 4x8 Stamps in the center of each of the windows. To add a bit of elegance, I used Raven Hybrid Ink and stamped the script written out numbers over top of the block letters.

I trimmed down some Yuletide Patterned Paper and adhered the patterns behind each window. Then I trimmed down some more white cardstock into rectangles and hand-wrote some Holiday activities on them. I mixed up some crafty activities, staying in activities, as well as some community activities. I included traditional activities that I grew up with like decorating the tree, making an ornament, taking dinner to a neighbor, sending someone a handmade card, etc. I glued the written pieces to the patterned paper behind each of the windows in a random order. Even I won't know which window we'll be opening! I chose one of my favorite patterns from the Yuletide 12x12 Paper Pack and adhered the windows in three rows of four near the bottom of the paper.

I die cut the numbers 1 and 2 from the Kringle Numbers Jumbo Dies as well as the letters to form the sentiment "Days of Christmas" from the Kringle Alphas Jumbo Lower and the Kringle Alphas Jumbo Upper Dies from both white and gold cardstock. I adhered the gold cardstock pieces on top of the white, slightly offsetting them to create a shadow. I glued them to the top of my advent calendar and then finished the project by spattering the whole thing with gold shimmer watercolor. That's it! I hope you enjoyed this fun project!