Who says you have to have kids to get excited about an advent calendar countdown of treats leading up to Christmas? Or if you do have a few mini-me’s running around there’s no reason that your advent calendar can’t look fabulous and stylish in your space. No big bellied bearded guys around here. Here’s a pretty simple (really!) DIY option with more of a modern & funky look.
UPDATE: We are so excited that our modern advent calendar got a bit of a refresh and appeared in Merry magazine this holiday season. Take a look at it in its new modern home and so many other great DIY handmade holiday ideas.
I was looking online for some advent calendar inspiration and I was overwhelmed with great ideas. I took little things I liked, shook ‘em up in my head and came up with this idea of my own. It will look great in the space for mom and still fun & colourful enough to get the kids excited.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- a branch approx 3 feet long
- enough felt to make 24 diamond shapes (4″sides) If you buy felt squares, it’s 12
- gold glitter glue pen
- 15-20 yards of gold sequin string or ribbon cut into 24 random lengths
- 2 yards of wide ribbon (to hang)
- 24 thumbtacks
This is super easy with a sewing machine but if you don’t have one but have some extra time on your hands, it will also look charming to sew each diamond by hand with some gold or colourful yarn.
1 – make a cardboard diamond template, with 4″ sides
2 – cut out diamonds, remember that each one need two sides, so 48 total
3 – take HALF of the diamonds and fold in have, making a small cut across the top
4 – glue sequin string to secure between layers of diamond
5 – sew around the perimeter of diamond
6 – use glitter glue pen to write in numbers 1-24
Let the glitter dry over night so that things don’t get messy. In the meantime take your branch, hang your piece of ribbon and evenly place 24 partially pushed in thumbtacks across the length. Then once your diamonds are dry, start hanging them from the thumbtacks, playing around with mixing the colours and lengths.
Once you’re happy with it, cut all the extra sequin. Then comes the last and what probably is the most important step, fill up the pockets with delicious little treats.
Then turn the whole piece around so the thumbtacks are agains the wall and there you have your holiday masterpiece.
Let the countdown begin!
Come on Melissa! Gosh that’s incredibly beautiful & creative. You never stop amazing me! xx
Awe thanks Lou!
Such a cute idea!
This is amazing, Melissa! I love how you used a branch to hang it. You’ve totally inspired me to do something similar to this!
Thanks Amy! Yeah it was a total original idea that popped into my head and luckily translated well in real life :) Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
I love felt and this is SO sweet! really adore this! Pinning!
Nicely done! Especially love the use of a glitter glue pen for the numbers.
gorgeous! I love any craft project that involves branches (I’ve make a branch coat rack and shelves in my baby’s room).
Thanks Stephanie! …the best part about branches, they’re free!
Looks awesome! I had a fabric advent calendar when I was a kid, and it’s one of my favorite holiday memories!
So pretty. I love the bright colours, with the birch and the lights. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Dannyelle, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.
So cute! Love the bright colours, and the birch is a great touch.
Sooo cte! :) Love the bright colours and rustic look! I have shared it on my blog – of course you are credited and my post links back to yor website. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful project, and big hugs from Sweden! :)
cute*
Thanks so much! and I’m honoured that it will make it all the way to Sweden :)
This is adorable! Love the colors you chose :)
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