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DIY Advent Calendar – Christmas Card Ideas

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It is so heartwarming to receive Christmas cards, and they are way too pretty to tuck away. So what to do with all these lovely cards? This year I am using them to make an Advent Calendar. The candy makes count down to Christmas oh so sweet.

I keep the cards from the year before in my Christmas decorations to crafting the following year. 

Advent Calendar with Christmas Cards

I decided to make a fun candy-filled advent calendar this year and use last year’s Christmas cards to decorate the treat bags. The kids love to count to Christmas with an advent calendar.

DIY Advent Calendar

DIY Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar Supplies

My Latest Video

 

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Candy Packages Directions 

Cut out all numbers. Then cut 8″ squares out of craft paper. Fold over the paper and tape up the back.

Tape the paper squares

Tape the paper squares

Next, fold up the corners on the bottom.

Folding the bottom corners

Folding the bottom corners

Then fold the point over towards the back and hot glue in place.

Folding up the bottom point

Folding up the bottom point

Adding the Numbers

Glue the numbers to the front about 1/2″ from the bottom.

Gluing the numbers to the treat bag

Gluing the numbers to the treat bag

Organized the bags by numbers

Organized the bags by numbers

Filling the Packages 

Goodies for the advent calendar

Goodies for the advent calendar

Fill each treat bag with goodies.

Adding the candy to the bags

Goodies for the advent calendar

Fold-over top corners and tape closed.

Fold the top corners down

Fold the top corners down.

Decorating the Packages

Use the tag hole punch and cut out the tags from old Christmas cards.

Last year's Christmas card ideas

Last year’s Christmas card ideas

Hanging the Packages

Then use a regular hole punch and punch a hole in the point of the treat bags.

Punching a hole for twine

Punching a hole for twine

Now the fun part is finding a stick in your yard or purchase a dowel. I painted mine with black paint and then used spray glitter over the black color. Next, I placed the stick on my table to figure out the twine lengths.

Attaching the treat bags to the stick

Attaching the treat bags to the stick

Advent calendar completed - the count down to Christmas begins

Advent calendar completed – the count down to Christmas begins

Ribbon tie to hold up lights and greenery

Ribbon tie to hold up lights and greenery

Advent stick with greenery and lights

Advent stick with greenery and lights

Treat bags ready for Advent

Treat bags ready for Advent.

DIY wooden trees

DIY wooden trees

DIY yarn tree and deer

DIY yarn tree and deer

Vintage Advent Candy Calendar

My grandmother made these Candy Advent Calendars for all her grandchildren and gave them to us on Thanksgiving. 

To see how I made this one and see her original (50-year-old) typed message see this earlier post HERE.  

Vintage Candy Ribbon Advent Calendar

Vintage Candy Ribbon Advent Calendar

More Christmas Card Ideas

As I promised, here are more ideas for your lovely Christmas cards. From a card keepsake book to elegant card displays.

star Salt dough ornaments sitting on a table

Salt dough ornaments Christmas card holder

My friend Crissy from First Day of Home made a fantastic card display I would keep up all year!

Rustic Christmas Card Holder

Rustic Christmas Card Holder

Pamela from DIY Vibes made a rustic farmhouse card display that would look great all year.

Elegant Christmas Card Display

Elegant Christmas Card Display

Rebecca from Hello Central Ave displays her Christmas cards like ornaments on her banister with garland, lights, and ribbon.

You might also enjoy:

Christmas Home Tour

Christmas Home Tour

Stree-Free Holiday

Want to enjoy all the holiday season has to offer, but it all seems overwhelming? Join me as we enjoy a stress-free holiday season with a ton of inspiration, money-saving ideas for DIY Christmas decorating, gift-giving, and so much more. Join HERE! And have the best of everything this holiday.

Thank you so much for your visit today. I hope you found some inspiration.

Merry Christmas,

Kippi

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Naush Samama

Monday 23rd of November 2020

Kippi,Love your clever idea ! The calender looks so pretty. We'd love for you to share your post with us at Meraki Link Party at https://doodlebuddies.net/2020/11/23/meraki-link-party-15/ The party is from Monday thru till Thursday - every week. Naush

Julie Briones

Saturday 4th of January 2020

What lovely ideas, Kippi! Do you have links to the DIY yarn tree and wooden trees? We hope to see you back at TTA this coming Tuesday, 1/7! Happy New Year!

Marie

Friday 13th of December 2019

Kippi, I love your DIY advent calendar and it's the nordic vibe. Great way to repurpose old Christmas cards too. You are my feature at the Talk Of The Town Party next week. Have a great weekend! pinned

Debbie-Dabble

Friday 13th of December 2019

Kippi, These are adorable!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! Hugs, Deb

Grandma's House DIY

Thursday 12th of December 2019

Looks amazing! I'll be featuring you next week on my blog thanks so much for sharing with us at the To Grandma's house we go link party!

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