One tradition that our family uses, and that I can remember from my childhood, is an advent calendar. For me, there was really nothing like opening the window to get my chocolate as we counted down the days to Christmas. And even though I grew up in a secular household, now I am carrying on this tradition in more Christian ways with my youngest daughter. This year, we may just customize our wooden tree advent calendar.
how to use a wooden countdown calendar for advent
One of the ways that you can use this is by combining it with another tradition like using a Jesse tree during Advent. You can also tie this in with our kindness acts for kids by placing one of the suggested activities or a Bible verse in each box.
Of course, you can also go the more traditional route and use a small toy or wrapped chocolate.
It’s really up to you how you use the wooden countdown calendar and you can make it as elaborate or as simple as you’d like.
Whether you are creating a reverse advent calendar and doing acts of kindness or donating to a charity, or you are using something more traditional with a small gift; a wooden advent calendar helps to build up the anticipation to Christmas.
And, let’s face it, this is one of those activities and traditions that the entire family can get it on.
how to customize your wooden advent countdown calendar
First things first, you’ll need the following materials
How to Customize a Wooden Tree Advent Calendar
Customize your wooden countdown calendar with these easy to follow steps for a family tradition to practice year after year.
Tools
Instructions
Step One:
Pick your color scheme! You will need a color for the frame, the drawers, the drawer handles and the numbers. We have a couple of suggestions here, but this is where you can let your imagination go wild!
Step Two:
Take out all of the drawers and put them to one side.
Using a large paint brush, paint the frame with your main color. It can be tempting to apply lots of paint to get this done quicker, however it’s worth taking your time so you don’t get paint on inside the frame.
Paint one side at a time to make sure it’s covered well. This also means you always have a dry side to lay it on.
TIP: When you finish each side, check the other sides to make sure the paint doesn’t drip down them.
Step Three:
Take your second color and a smaller brush and paint the drawers. It’s easier to begin with the front (Be careful not to paint the handle), and then the sides. Let them dry before painting the bottom, back and inside.
While you are waiting for them to dry, check the base, just in case it needs another coat.
Step Four:
Once the drawers are dry and you have applied as many coats as needed, take the smallest brush you have, and paint the handles. Take your time with this, it’s a delicate one!
Step Five:
Take out the numbers you need, and place them top side up on a large piece of paper.
Cover them in glue and liberally sprinkle glitter over them all. Make sure they are fully covered to give that sparkle!
Step Six:
Leave the numbers to fully dry. I would recommend you leave them overnight. You can use this time to touch up the drawers if they need another coat.
Step Seven;
Once the numbers have dried, take them off the paper, tipping off the excess glitter. You can then tip the remaining glitter back into the container.
Line up the drawers, ready to glue the numbers on.
Step Eight:
Decide where to place your numbers. If you wish to place them in the center, use a ruler to measure the center of each draw before you glue them on.
If you wish to place them in the corner, you can measure how far up and to the side you’d like it.
Step Nine:
Glue your numbers down, be sure to leave them lying flat so the numbers set.
Step Ten:
Enjoy your new, personalized advent calendar! Fill it with treats, jokes and toys to make it truly yours!
how to make your advent calendar truly unique
The best thing about this wooden advent countdown calendar is that you can truly make it unique for your family. From the color scheme to the goodies inside.
Suggested color schemes include:
- Teal & White
- Red & Green
- Green & Gold (as pictured)
- Red & Gold
- Green & White
- Red & White
- Blue & White
- Blue & Teal
Really, you’re only limited by your imagination!
Kori
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