Shed Plan

Make an advent calendar

An advent calendar is a classic Christmas project. Typically, they contain 24 numbered doors and beginning on December 1st, you open door #24 and get a small treat or gift. When you get to #1, it will be Christmas Eve, one day before the holiday.

There are many different ways to make an advent calendar. For an absolutely stunning version, check out the one our friend Marc (The Wood Whisperer) made last year. Even Marc struggled with a system to make 24 doors, something I dont think Id have the patience for. Plus, well, my woodworking skills just arent that good!

So after thinking about it for a long time, I came up with a very simple advent calendar that you should be able to make in a day. No doors! It does include all the interactive elements an advent calendar needs: a numbered system to count down days, and a place for a treat each day. I used Hersheys Kisses in mine because they fit nicely into the holes. Quarters might be another good idea: in 24 days, youd have six dollars!

This is also a good project to get the family involved. My wife and son had a lot of fun painting all the ornaments.

If youd like to give this a try, heres a cutting template you can download and print out. Just hold the pages up to a window, line them up and tape them together.