DIY: Christmas Advent

I loved Advents when I was a kid and I love them now.  I am a list maker. I enjoy either adding to a list or being able to cross things off a list.  Advents are just a cute list with treats, how could I not love them?  The last few years we have been doing a count down to Christmas with wrapped books. I made a post about it here.  I thought I'd add a more traditional advent this year.

Here is what you need to make your own:

24 "favor tins". (I found them in Hobby Lobby's Party Section)

1 craft circle punch

24 magnets (can get at the craft store)

Adhesive (I used glue dots)

Advent Images (You could also just use scrapbook paper and write numbers on them)

First you need to download the advent images.  Click here. In order to print them to the size I needed, I opened them in a word document and from there I could adjust the size of the circles using the ruler on the top as a guide.  I printed my circles 2 inches because I had a 1 3/4 inch circle punch.

You need a hole punch like the one above.  Mine is 1 3/4 inch.  After I printed the images on cardstock, I used the hole punch to punch out the images.

The inside of the tins are 2 inches.  Using my cricket, I cut out some 2 inch circles.  If you have a 2 inch circle punch, you would print your images 2.25 inches and then skip the second circle step.

The 1 3/4 inch circles fit perfectly in the clear centers of the tins.

Flip the advent number and place it inside the tin top.

I used three glue dots on the backs of my 2 inch circles.  The middle dot will attach the smaller circle to it and the other two will help keep it in place.

Insert the 2 inch circle face up and press down to adhere. (If you use a 2 inch punch, just put two glue dots on the outer edge so they don't show through the clear part of the tin)

One down, 23 to go!

Next you need to add a magnet to your tin. If you are going to put candy in the tins, I would recommend using a strong magnet like the sliver one above.  They also sell them in black.  The magnet strips are not strong enough to hold the tin with candy inside. You could put lighter things in them like stickers and the strips would hold.

The magnet will attach itself to the tin, but when you try and place the tin on another metal surface, sometime it moves around, so I used a glue dot to help it stay in place on the tin.

Now fill them up!  In addition to treats, I am planning on putting Christmas stickers or small toys in others.  It would also be fun to plan a holiday activity and have a note in the advent telling the kids what the activity will be.  That way its not just candy every day.

 

I had this framed magnet board in my basement.  It is what inspired me to make the advent.  If you don't have a magnet board, you can get them at a craft store, or you can use the tins on your fridge. You could also glue a thumb tack to the back and use them on a cork board, or use that ticky tacky stuff and put them on the wall.  You could use a large frame and glue the tins to the glass. You could even hide them around your house and have your kids hunt for the right number each day.

 

Can you believe it's almost time to start the Christmas count down?  I think time goes by faster and faster each year. 

Comments

[Emily S.]

so cute Andrea, love the colors, do i get to come over and pick one??? lol

[Joanne]

Are you selling them???

[Connie Haynie]

Andrea what a cute idea!!! I want to make one also. Courtney has been looking for an idea and I think this would be perfect. Thank you for always sharing your cute ideas.

[Sydney]

I really hope this is for Lincoln! I won't show him these pictures so that when you give this to him he will be suprised!!!!

[Rachel F]

Wow that is awesome! I love that idea, it turned out so cute, and to put treats in it... that is exciting!

[Heather]

This is the cutest advent I have EVER seen!!!

[Heather]

thanks for posting this, I made one last week...love your blog

[Tara]

I love Love love this!! I didn't do any advent this year!! I hope to do it next year. Maybe I will make time in the next 11 months to get it done.. hah