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    Home » Home Decorating » Christmas Decorating

    Published: Nov 24, 2021 · Modified: Nov 20, 2022 by Rachel

    DIY Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    The countdown to Christmas is about to start! One of our favorite ways to savor the season is with a 25 Days of Christmas calendars, and these adorable DIY Christmas tree advent calendar ideas will make the season even more memorable. Each passing day is filled with the promise of fun activities, family, and presents —what’s not to like?

    Family Christmas tree decorated with photo ornaments and personalized advent gift boxes with lights and red bow.

    Why Christmas trees? Because they are one of the most fun ways to do these calendars. The numbers perfectly align and they don’t have to take up any space either.

    So, I have rounded up some of my favorite advent calendars you can make, several in less than an hour!

    Advent traditionally begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas, making it last for about a month. However, most modern traditions begin on the first day of December and use December 1st to the 24th or 25th to celebrate.

    The Advent Season represents the start of a church calendar (also called a liturgical calendar) and marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas and the birth of baby Jesus. The word ‘advent’ means coming in Latin. 

    What to put in an Advent Calendar?

    There are many celebratory ways to countdown to Christmas Day. Some calendars only countdown the days, while others have small fillers or trinkets to celebrate each day. The most common fillers include small sweets, bible verses, handwritten messages, and small trinkets or activities. You can be very creative with your homemade Advent calendar display. 

    I actually use our advent calendar to get myself organized. Using my Christmas Bucket list, I plan out Dec 1-24 and all of the things I want to accomplish from decorating the tree to charitable activities.

    DIY Advent Tree Ideas

    While an advent calendar doesn’t have to be shaped like a Christmas tree, I am a huge fan of them! There are many styles to help you count down the days, like these examples:

    Wooden advent calender made from paint sticks.

    This easy to build Advent Calendar is actually made from paint sticks! Both affordable and super cute, you can see the full tutorial for this Farmhouse Advent Calendar here.

    Small Christmas tree featuring an advent calendar made of garland with notes and snowflake clothespins.

    The Countdown tree deserves a special shoutout. It is actually a 25 Days of STEM learning experience full of experiments and fun activities for the kids. Discover the many great STEM activities for kids for your own 25 days of Christmas STEM Activity Ideas.

    Christmas tree countdown calendar made from pvc pipes.

    How fun and modern looking is this Countdown Calendar?! Get the full tutorial for this PVC Pipe Countdown Calendar from Dukes & Duchesses. If you’re on a budget this Holiday you’ll love this almost free diy punch out advent calendar idea. Save your toilet paper rolls and you’ve got this awesome Advent Calendar Christmas Tree from Toilet Paper Rolls that is affordable and festive!

    Wood Christmas tree advent calendar with base.

    An absolute classic! This Wooden Advent Calendar is made out of some scraps and a pallet. The tutorial even gives you perfect measurements. Not only is it a beginner build, but it will hold up for years to come!

    Advent Christmas Tree Ornaments

    Another way to make a Christmas Tree Advent calendar is to make numbered ornaments in small boxes that you put on the actual tree. I completed a very similar project and have included step by step instructions for this project.

    Like most, we have family visit us every Christmas and I wanted to do something special for them. I was inspired by an advent calendar I saw a long time ago with treats in little boxes for each day.

    Christmas tree with red ribbon, lights, berries, family photo ornaments, and personalized gifts with name tags.

    My version is slightly different because rather than each day, I have a treat box for each family member (all 18 of them), but it works both ways easily and I will show you how!

    Putting the presents on the tree…now that is thinking outside the box! (Haha!- forgive me. Bad jokes are also a family trait.)

    DIY Present Ornaments

    Supplies

    • Treat Boxes – ones that are slightly taller like these work great
    • Red Ribbon
    • Jewelry or hanging wire
    • Hot glue and gun
    • Names or Numbers- a silver paint marker or you can use this tutorial to create your own wire names
    Steps of gluing red ribbon to small personalized gift box ornaments.

    Instructions

    1. Hot glue the ribbon on the bottom of the box in a cross with the ends inside the box. Repeat for the top.
    2. To make a bow, cut a length of ribbon about 1 ½ the width of the box. Fold in half and crease. Put a dab of hot glue along the crease. Lay out flat and bring each end into the center and press into the glue (be careful not to touch the glue though!)
    3. Take a second shorter length of ribbon and wrap around the center of the bow perpendicularly. Put a dab of hot glue on the back side where the ends are. Attach bow to box with more hot glue.
    4. Either write the names with a metallic paint pen or attach wire names. I poked a few tiny holes into the box lid and sewed the names on using the hanging wire.
    5. To hang, poke two holes on either side of the ribbon on one end of the box or in the corner. Loop the hanging wire through the holes and tie in a knot.
    Personalized DIY small gift boxes with red ribbon and and metal name tag hanging on Christmas tree.

    To add to the family theme of the tree, I also made these simple ornaments with a few family pictures. You may not recognize these 3 gentle souls but that tiny guy is my sweet son almost 14 years ago. Gosh, he is growing up so fast!

    DIY round ornament with red and white ribbon detail hanging on Christmas tree.

    I bet you have some awesome and unique family traditions during the holidays. I am always so curious about how other families celebrate. Share them with me in the comments below! The more unique, the better!

    Looking for more Christmas tree and decorating ideas? Check these out:

    • Christmas Tree Ideas and Home Tour
    • Woodland Christmas Tree Home Tour
    • Christmas Village with Train Tour
    Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

    Grab our free series "Weekend Home Projects that will Transform Your Life"

    Sign up below to receive updates including free printables, organization tips, home improvement projects, recipes and more!

    More Christmas Ideas:

    Collage of budget Christmas decorating ideas with post title.
    Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas
    Stamped 3D Star from paper.
    DIY Christmas Topper
    Traditional tartan christmas table decorations with napkins, place settings, and crystal goblets.
    Tartan Christmas Table
    Chalkboard Distress Merry and Bright Christmas Sign using recycled pallet wood.
    DIY Pallet Sign

    PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!

    « How To Make A Wood Pallet Sign
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jamie Straker says

      May 22, 2019 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      Looking Really Beautiful and attractive!

      Reply
    2. Mary James says

      April 29, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing post! Thanks for sharing and keep up the wonderful work.

      Reply
    3. Dora Hagerman says

      March 19, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing! I love your creativity. thank you for sharing such a nice idea.

      Reply
    4. Jenna says

      November 08, 2017 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      I’m loving this idea! It’s going to really add a nice personal touch to my tree this year and here on out! I was trying to figure out a way to do something memorable for my family this year, and this is it! Thank you for the lovely idea =D

      Reply
    5. Erlene says

      December 04, 2015 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      I am in serious love with your gift tree. The wire names are so neat and I hope you don’t mind if I use it in a round-up. Love love love!

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        December 05, 2015 at 7:09 am

        Of course I don’t! I am glad you love it so much!

        Reply
    6. Carrie @ curlycraftymom says

      November 22, 2015 at 7:14 pm

      5 stars
      These are so cute and creative, I love playing with wire and this would be so easy and a perfect keepsake as a gift. They could hang up their wire name as an ornament or put it on their desk.

      Carrie
      curlycraftymom.com

      Reply
    7. Erin @ The Organized Life says

      November 17, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      Those boxes with the names are so cute! I love that the little K-cup fits right in. What a fun surprise for all your family members.

      Reply
    8. Tiffany says

      November 17, 2015 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      This is such a fun idea, Rachel! And those package ornaments are adorable! I’m pinning this and popping over to learn how to make those wire names. Your family is going to love this tree! Great post!

      Reply
    9. April R @Uncookie Cutter says

      November 16, 2015 at 11:37 pm

      5 stars
      OH, this is ADORABLE! What a lucky family, thanks for sharing, I”ll have to steal!

      Reply
    10. Heather @ The deans list blog says

      November 16, 2015 at 8:58 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh! Your tree looks so dreamy with all the boxes and red bows! Love this idea — and also love starbucks.

      Reply
    11. Ruthie says

      November 16, 2015 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      What a clever and great idea! I especially love the wire names!!

      Reply
    12. Karen says

      November 16, 2015 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      What a great idea! My in laws come for Christmas and they drink coffee like they will die without it!
      Totally going to do this!
      Pinning!
      Karen

      Reply
    13. Cristi Comes says

      November 16, 2015 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      I love this idea of putting special gifts on the tree for the whole family, especially if it’s Starbucks coffee or hot cocoa! Very cute boxes and love the wire names. #client

      Reply

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