DIY Christmas Advent Calendar + Free Printable

 Happy December! I can finally allow myself to start thinking about Christmas. I just can't focus on gifting and decorating until Thanksgiving is over. I.just.can't.


How was your holiday? We laid low, since Anabelle wasn't feeling so well after Thanksgiving. The highlight (lowlight?) of our weekend was our trip to Target turned merchandise tragic. My sweet toddler was sitting in the cart eating raspberries and chattering up a storm about Christmas decorations, I bet. 

No less than three minutes after taking this picture to send to daddy, she broke a snow globe with a precious bunny rabbit inside jumping up and down in the cart. After I told her repeatedly to sit on her bottom. Luckily, she didn't get hurt, but that sweet bunny rabbit globe is gone forever. And it was the last one. I cried a little on the inside.
After I took her out of the cart, I grabbed our stuff, and tried to find an associate to tell. I think I was a little frazzled, because I couldn't find anyone to help me, so I made Anabelle walk all the way to the phone kiosk (she hates walking when we're in public). I pick up the phone kiosk and it's dead. What? When does that ever happen in Target!? After we paid for the one item we managed to salvage, I told her how dangerous it is to be jumping around in the cart! She forgot about it within seconds. I didn't though. I continue to mourn the death of that snow globe...   Anyway, I couldn't wait to share this DIY Christmas Advent Calendar with you guys! I was longing to create a calendar last year, but she was so young that I didn't think it would be too much fun, but this year, oh boy! I'm so excited!!

Supplies:
-Plywood. I used a piece that measured 48 x 24 and painted a few coats of flat white paint on it. -Nails -Pencil -Envelopes (3.5 x 3.5) -Green and white twine -Tape -Embellishments (optional - not pictured)
I sketched out my tree using the twine and washi tape. It was easier to envision exactly what I wanted that way. 

After the outline was complete, I hammer the nails directly through the washi tape. As a safety side note, I recommend putting electrical tape on the back of any exposed nails, in case your kiddo (or animals) decide to explore what's behind the Christmas tree. Remove and discard all washi tape.   Wrap the twine tightly around each nail, and loop it twice all the way around until you reach the beginning of the nail. Tie the pieces together and cut off any excess string. Complete the process until you've wrapped each nail into the shape of a tree. 

Print your advent activities on coordinating cards or plain paper and put inside each of the envelopes. Stick each envelope in between the strings and put tape on the back of any envelopes for extra support. I used this tutorial to print the numbers directly on the envelopes. If you prefer simple, black numbers, here's a link to a free printable of the simple black numbers I used.  

I added a few Christmas ornaments I had on hand and I cut out a star from gold poster board to stick at the top. Isn't it so lovely in her playroom?  

Here's a list of our advent calendar activities for toddlers:
1. Watch Elf also known as the best Christmas movie ever. 2. Sing Christmas carols. 3. Pick out a Christmas book at the bookstore.  4. Find a toy to donate for the toy drive. 6. Decorate the house and playroom. 7. Help daddy put up Christmas lights. 8. Pick out a Christmas tree. 9. Make Christmas crowns. 10. Make a washi tape Christmas tree. 11. Perform a random act of kindness. 12. Create a card to send to grandma. 13. Donate blankets to the homeless. 14. Take pictures with Santa. 15. Go on a Christmas candy cane hunt. 16. Decorate our cousin's gifts. 17. Bring breakfast to daddy. 18. Make our teacher's gifts.  20. Check out Christmas lights in our festive pjs. 21. Donate supplies to an animal shelter. 22. Make Christmas cookies for Santa. 23. Make Christmas-inspired breakfast.  24. Attend Christmas church service.  25. Make a birthday card for Jesus. We sang an early birthday song for Him yesterday and Anabelle loved it! 
Have a wonderful Monday!