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.

DIY 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
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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
Next, fold up the corners on the bottom.

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

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

Organized the bags by numbers
Filling the Packages

Goodies for the advent calendar
Fill each treat bag with goodies.

Goodies for the advent calendar
Fold-over top corners and tape closed.

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
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
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.

Attaching the treat bags to the stick

Advent calendar completed – the count down to Christmas begins

Ribbon tie to hold up lights and greenery

Advent stick with greenery and lights

Treat bags ready for Advent.

DIY wooden trees

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

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.

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

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

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

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:
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
Crissy says
Such a creative way to reuse cards, Kippi! I love the idea of recycling the cards from year to year instead of chunking them. Your advent calender looks so festive! Pinning!
Kippi says
Thank you so much for stopping by. I love to reuse items and old Christmas cards are too pretty to toss.
Merry Christmas,
Kippi
Grandma's House DIY says
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!
Debbie-Dabble says
Kippi,
These are adorable!!
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Marie says
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
Julie Briones says
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!
Naush Samama says
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