DIY Advent Calendar – Christmas Card Ideas

It is so heartwarming to receive Christmas cards, and they are way too pretty to tuck away. 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 next year. 

Advent Calendar with Christmas Cards

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

Advent Calendar Supplies

• Print out numbers
• Craft paper
• Hole punch
• Tag hole punch
• Tape
• Hot glue gun
• Twine
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Candy
• Christmas cards
• Stick or dowel
• Battery lights
• Greenery

My Latest Video

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase from one of these links, I will make a small commission, but rest assured, you will not pay more for any products.

Candy Packages Directions 

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

Next, fold up the corners on the bottom.

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

Adding the Numbers

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

Filling the Packages 

Fill each treat bag with goodies.

Fold-over top corners and tape closed.

Decorating the Packages

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

Hanging the Packages

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

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 paint. I placed the stick on my table to figure out the twine lengths.

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 to see her original (50-year-old) typed message see this earlier post HERE.  

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.

Just That Perfect Piece by Agnes shows us how to make a keepsake book for Christmas cards.

My friend Crissy from First Day of Home made an amazing salt dough star card display I would keep up all year!

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

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

You might also enjoy:

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