This holidays walkthrough stays in the order the work happens.
There are many ways to count down to Christmas, but an advent calendar is one of the best! Kids and adults alike can look forward to opening an envelope, peeking into a stocking, or unwrapping a small gift. Celebrate the holiday season this year by creating your very own advent calendar and filling it with your go-to goodies, drawing some inspiration from these 11 Handmade Christmas advent calendar garlands. Hang one from the mantel, on a wall, or even use it to decorate your Christmas tree!
1. Paper Stockings
This fun paper stocking advent garland comes with a template for the stockings and is a great one to make with help from the kids. Use ribbons, buttons, crayons and other basic supplies to dress up your stockings!
2. Snowman Capsules
If your kids love the quarter machines that spit out prizes in little plastic capsules, you might want to save up a few for this clever advent project! Turn those capsules into snowmen and string them together and watch little eyes light up each day as they pop open a new one.
3. Felt Envelopes
Use the basic pattern provided by Jenny Allsorts to cut felt for these envelopes. A bit of contrasting hand-stitching and a bright button really makes them pop!
4. Baby Socks
Are the kids growing out of their cute little socks? Recycle them into a clearly-direct baby sock garland by adding number stickers! Mini clothespins definitely increase the cute factor.
5. Felt Mittens
You’ll love the sparkle and shine on this adorable felt mitten advent garland. And Nana Company generously provides a free PDF pattern for the mittens, so just pull out the sewing machine and get busy!
6. Santa Hats
Search dollar stores and craft stores for “Santa hats” to put this garland together, or try sewing your own (with your choice of fabrics!) using a direct walkthrough like this. Stitch a button to each hat to hang a numbered tag.
7. Paper Mache Boxes
This advent garland is made using paper mache boxes. The boxes are well fitted for small treats and papers with fun activities written on them and look great with painted lids.
8. Paper Cones
Roll up some paper cones and string them along your mantle with fun things inside! This garland is quick and straightforward and would be a great project for the kids to join in on.
9. Printable Paper Envelopes
If you’re looking for something bright and colorful that can be put together at the last minute, look no further. The free printables from Oh Happy Day are well fitted for folding into envelopes, clipping to a ribbon or string, and hanging on a wall.
10. Paper Bags
This advent calendar may just be the easiest on our list! Use paper bags (miniature bags, if you please!) and clothespins to hold all of your advent goodies.
11. Velvet Santa Bags
A bit of direct sewing and these cute Santa sacks will be hanging for all to see. Use a faux velvet fabric and soft cord to give an authentic, Christmasy feel to your garland.
Featured image via Better Homes and Gardens.
Kayla Lilly is a photographer, writer, wife, and mama making a house a home in eastern Idaho. She met her mister while working at an amusement park and married him a year later after deciding there was no way to live without him. The amusement has continued as they’ve added three kids and a passel of pets to their lives while finishing college and starting a photography business. Drawing inspiration from the whirlwinds of marriage, parenthood, and the media, Kayla blogs at Utterly Inexperienced, and spends the rest of her time chasing chickens, organizing junk drawers, diapering toddlers, and photographing everyone willing to step in front of her lens.
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