DIY Advent Calendar! Complete with FREE Printables to make it super easy!
I love love LOVE holiday traditions! And one of the traditions that remains near and dear to my heart is making Advent calendars. My mom used to buy me those cardboard ones when I was really little that had the pictures behind them. Each morning it was so exciting just to see what picture was behind each window. And then for some reason in high school and college she started buying me the chocolate ones.
I love the tradition of making Advent calendars with my kids now, but I love about 10 million other traditions too.
So for this Christmas season, we are doing something that combines the two–an Advent calendar that contains a fun holiday tradition on each day! Fun things like making a bed for our Elf on the Shelf and making snow cones out of real snow! Meaningful things like making Christmas cards and picking out a gift for a child in need. And classics like decorating cookies and listening to Christmas music.
Want to hear the better news?
I made it a printable! Both the fancy numbers and the fancy tags so you can easily print them off at home!
So this is a super simple project to do, and it is made even more simple with Avery Labels. Their website is kind of amazing, because you can pick what kind of label you are working with and then you can use all of their tools to design some really cool things . . . like cupcake toppers, or gift tags, or labels for homemade jarred gifts . . . or an amazing Advent calendar! It creates a really professional look without being hard to use. I used their awesome design software to make the backs of my Advent calendar.
They also allow you to upload all your images, so say you wanted to make some return labels with your cute kids’ faces on there, you could totally do that! Which is what I did with the numbers!
Okay, want to make your advent calendar? Here’s what you need:
- A frame that you can empty out and spray paint
- Wire and six screws
- 24 mini clothespins
- Avery Labels 22806 (two sheets)
- Avery Labels 22802 (three sheets)
- Empty out your frame (glass, back wire, picture, everything). Spray paint it something that will go with the tags . . . like silver, or green, or red, even white would be awesome.
- Grab your 24 mini clothespins. Or if you are smarter than me, grab like 30 because sometimes those suckers break, and clip them to some cardboard. Spray paint them all over to match the frame.
- While you are waiting for it all to dry, let’s print the labels. We’ll start with the numbers. Click HERE to download my file. Now grab your 22806 labels and head to the Avery website. Halfway down the page you will see a green box that says “Open Project.” Click on that.
- Click on the button to open a file, and select the file of mine that you just downloaded.
- Now click “Open” and DON’T DO ANYTHING. It is most likely just me, but what I found works best is if you literally do not touch your computer at all after clicking the green open button. Give it a minute or two (it did take a full minute for me once, be patient) and let it open, but don’t move your mouse. I know, it’s probably just me, but if it’s not working for you the first time, try that.
- Now click Preview & Print (green box in the upper right) and in the next screen click Print (green box in the upper right).
.
- Once you click Print, it will ask you if you want to open the PDF. You do. It will load the PDF, which will have both pages of numbers, and then you can click print! Now you have your numbers!
- Want the tags? Great! Click HERE to download the first page. HERE to download the second page. And HERE to download the last page.
- Repeat steps 3 through 5 above.
- NOTE! If you want different activities for your family, you can do that! Just edit the tags (click on the words, and you should be able to type something new) after you open them and before you click “Print & Preview.” Good? The way you want them? Now follow steps 6 & 7 from above.
- Pull out a calendar and figure out what activities would work best for what day, then stick on the numbers accordingly. (Note: I didn’t do one for Christmas because I know our Christmas Day is always pretty well planned out).
- Lay out the tags in the frame, so you get the spacing down. Mark on the back of the frame where each of the three wires should go, measuring and marking on both sides.
- Screw in a screw in each of the six marks, being careful not to go all the way down.
- Wrap wire around the one on the left side, finish screwing it down.
- Repeat with the screws on the left side.
- Hang your tags in random order with the numbers facing out!
And if you love this idea, but you are thinking that there is no way that you can be so organized with your kids as to know that you can get all 24 fun activities in (you are totally not alone), then stick the labels on some fun containers and display them on your mantle, each with a little treat inside. Looking for more great label ideas?
Jessica says
I love advent calendars too! It’s such a great tradition I share with my two girls as well. This is an amazing one and great feature. Thank you!
Jessica recently posted…Cinnamon Jammy Muffins
Elena says
I use them on wrapped Christmas gifts
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/400015716864102400
Mami2jcn says
Labels are useful for storing our homeschool materials.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/400048628569358337
Jessica To says
I use labels to put on my son’s things for school. They make me feel so much more organized!
leslie says
i like to use this for gifts
leslie says
tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/400234743054090240 .
Rea Liz says
I use labels for organizing my kids toys!
Rea Liz says
I tweeted at https://twitter.com/Reatex123/status/400287751855034368
Lisa Brown says
Labels are useful to me for storage boxes of all kinds.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
my tweet -https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/400314087126466560
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
jenna d says
I love the calendar idea, I use labels for my mason jars and gifts.
Kristi Lee says
Hello there! I love to use labels as seals on cards – they look sweet with monograms, and who doesn’t love a customized envelope in the mail?!
jenna d says
https://twitter.com/jennadcat/status/400377903323443200
Jen Nikolaus says
Lisa – this is the CUTEST idea! Like, darling. I always debate about buying an advent calendar but I hate that you have to put a little present in each box or whatever. This is awesome because it encourages family time. If I had to pick when labels are the most useful to me, I would say when I send out Christmas cards. I buy Avery labels every year and print the addresses out so I don’t have to write them by hand. Thanks for a great post and giveaway!
Jen Nikolaus recently posted…Best Ever Hot Wassail Recipe
Lisa Longley says
Thanks Jen!!
Arika says
Hi Lisa,
I LOVE this idea BUT I can’t get the printables to open up so that I can print them. Can you help me?
Thanks!
Arika
Lisa Longley says
Arika! Oh no!! Well that makes it a lot less fun! What step are you having trouble with? The downloading of the files or the getting them on to Avery.com?
One Frugal Girl says
Labeling all of the storage containers filled with my son’s toys and clothing. I’m hoping for a second child and want to keep everything organized so we can easily access the hand-me-downs.
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
One Frugal Girl recently posted…Are You A Selfish Spender: Frustrated By Your Spouse’s Spending Habits
One Frugal Girl says
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/401016936542138369
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
D SCHMIDT says
I use labels in a variety of ways around the home and tend to find them perfect for organizing my children’s craft supplies. I also use them to address gifts over the holiday season! I have never used a template though but I really think I should because they create fantastic designs.
D SCHMIDT says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/401432933442924544
Susan Smith says
I love the peel off labels to use at Christmas and on my childrens school supplies
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/401530180860010497
Erica Best says
i love the chalkboard labels to organize drawers
Erica Best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/402166758271770624
Jessie C. says
Labels are very helpful in organizing toy bins and pantry.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/402274559581110272
courtney b says
tweet https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/402801595152207872
amy pugmire says
I would love to use them in the kitchen on my jars for flour, sugar, salt etc…
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/402944982786396160
cw says
Love your idea – borrowing it this year!
Labels are particularly useful during christmas for mailing out xmas cards
Erika says
I have lots of plastic totes in the closets, and it’s nice to label them to keep things organized.
chambanachik at gmail dot com
Erika recently posted…All Our Troubles Will Be Far
Denise says
I use labels for everything! Embellishing and addressing cards and gifts, labeling and recognizing things! Love that your advent calendar stuff can be edited! They are cute. Thank you!
Robin says
I make homemade goodies for Christmas gifts and these labels would be awesome!
Susan H. says
I use labels mostly for organizing. I love your advent idea. Thanks.
Susan H. says
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/sebh55/status/404343856931815424
Deonna says
Hey Lisa! It’s Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! I love this post and would love for you to link up to the Merriest Blog Hop each Friday until Christmas and share your creations! Printables are the best! This one is super cute and I love the ideas on the cards!
http://www.thechildatheartblog.com/2013/11/the-merriest-blog-hop-week-1.html
Deonna recently posted…DIY Fireplace Screen Redo
Sandra says
They are the most handy at back to school time
sbidoli05 at yahoo dot com
rachel says
I love using them at Valentine’s Day. Makes card giving a snap!
Madeline says
I label my daughter’s clothing and lunch items for summer camp.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/405500866972512256
Tina M says
address labels and gift tags on Christmas giftts.
Tina M says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/405858482257027073
Wild Orchid says
Labels are most useful to me when I am completing home organizing projects.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Wild Orchid says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/406779690204934144
Debbie B says
i’d like to make labels for Christmas gifts
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/407003275586580480
maria cantu says
Useful for gifts anytime of the year.
Amy Tong says
I totally love your great idea and thank you for the step by step instructions! very helpful. I use labels all the time and I use them a lot during holidays for my homemade cakes, cookies and goodies for gift-giving. I need to get some Avery labels asap!
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong recently posted…Raya Restaurant Review and Our Anniversary
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/408856531254267904
amy [at] utry [dot] it
karen medlin says
For my DIY projects, I use them a lot in the garage work area, I label all the bins with the different size screw, nails, nuts and bolts etc. When we need a wood or metal screw, we know which bin to pull up.. saves us time.
JULie says
I use labels for address labels and for labeling craft bins thanks for the giveaway
Kelly Massman says
Labels are extremely useful to me when it comes to Christmas mailings or for postcards when my husband has a woodturning show!! thanks for a chance to win! kmassman gmail
nannypanpan says
I use them a ton when labeling storage, but I also just had twins and find the need to label all of their different stuff
[email protected]
LAMusing says
Great idea! I use labels on my plastic shoe boxes, on storage boxes and small ones on my spice jars.
Norma says
I always use return address labels and labels for files.
Shannon says
The last time I used labels was sending out wedding invitations 8 years ago!
Kelly D says
Labels are useful when organizing my storage bins, to keep track of what is inside.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/kellydsaver/status/410964110906372098
Rebecca Graham says
Labels are useful to me when I am labeling storage boxes.
Wanda McHenry says
Labels are most useful when I’m re-organizing in the Spring
Wanda McHenry says
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/411006999623528448
Carmen says
I use tiny labels as my to-do list; when finished they go on my calendar. It’s like my own “star” for the day.
Carmen recently posted…Chickens all grown up
angie lilly says
Labels are great for marking important dates on a calendar (paper for me thank you! LOL) because you can fit a lot more onto a typed label than you can write in longhand in those little squares! LOL
angie lilly recently posted…Enjoying A Cozy Fire
angie lilly says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/411577893190250496
Teresa P says
Labels are most useful to me when I want to be able to quickly identify something I’ve stored in a mason jar in the pantry or in a handmade container in the craft room.
Teresa P says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/didyouyarnthat/status/411889112606838784
Kerry says
I love using labels this time of year for Christmas goodies!
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/412035970196709376
Betty C says
I use labels for everything from the cute glass jars I fill with my home made dry mixes to my craft supplies. Of course, gift giving requires cute labels and I love that I can design my own with Avery supplies.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/412087914126798848
Amanda Sakovitz says
Labels are useful for me when I’m storing things.
Amanda Sakovitz says
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/412269779353731072
Thomas Murphy says
Labels are great for presents.
Thomas Murphy says
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/412280830174568448
ewhatley says
I use labels to organize my mountains of paperwork.
Tabathia B says
During the holidays, I like using them for presents
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/412343206525669376
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Kaitlin Khan says
Hi there! I love this idea and have everything printed out and ready to hang, however I don’t know what size frame to get to fit all 24 labels. Could you please provide the size for my sake? 😉 Thank you so much for your blog and all of the wonderful ideas!