It’s that time of year – time for my annual DIY advent calendar. Since I shared my mini forest DIY advent calendar last year, I have had so much love for it. It even got featured in Marie Claire Maison. Wow! So this year the stakes were high – I’ve also had readers asking me months ago what I was going to make this Christmas!
I went through a few DIY advent calendar ideas but in the end I loved the idea of making santa with their little elves. Aren’t they so Christmassy and cute? I chose different sizes as they not only look great but also allow me to put different size gifts under each one. I love making my annual advent calendar to share here and inspire others but also it’s Anya’s favourite part of Christmas by far. She adores the little surprise that each day brings and that makes making my own advent even more special for me.
Make this DIY advent calendar
Materials:
24 craft cones (US readers find similar here)*
acrylic paints (in your chosen colours)
a fine black pen
mini felt balls
number stickers
glue
*I used a few different sized cones from really tall to smallest for the elves
First of all get your cardboard cones and using a pencil mark out the outline of the hat area and face for the santa cones. Also mark out the little face area for the elves.
Next paint the santa hats in your chosen colours, paint the beard bit white and the face bit in a skin tone colour – I used an acrylic paint colour called antique white. Similarly paint the elf cones and their faces. Some colours will require two coats for a better finish otherwise the cardboard will show through.
Using a fine black pen draw on little eyes for both the santas and the elves. Glue the felt balls on to make santa’s noses and thats the cones done. Either use number stickers to number the cones or you can even paint or write them on. Finally, add little gifts, notes or whatever you like under the cones and you have a super cute advent calendar.
What I especially love about this DIY advent calendar is that it’s simple enough for kids to make. Just get them the cones and they can create and decorate the santas as they wish. Also once the advent calendar has been used, you can easily turn these santas and elves into hanging Christmas tree decorations.
Do you make your own advent calendar? I’d love to hear about what you make.
You are so incredibly talented, this is utterly exquisite.
Thank you so much xx
Omg Nomita these are TOO adorable! Can you make one for me? I didn’t think you could surpass last year’s but you’ve knocked it out of the park! I adore this tradition you have with Anya, so special. I am definitely going to Pin, bookmark and share X
Thank you lovely – I didn’t even know what an advent calendar was a few years ago! Being Indian, we never celebrated Christmas but now this tradition is both mine and Anya’s favourite part of Christmas. Thanks for the lovely words xx
These are absolutely GORGEOUS sweetie – really really lovely! Ps come and join Christmas Traditions & Magic For Children on FB xxx
Thank you so much – will take a look at the FB group. xx
Just adorable lovely Nomita! Love it, and thanks for another amazing inspirational and very creative post! Was fab seeing you today!
I love it! this is my favorite of all those I’ve seen this year !
Thank you so much Paula – so lovely to hear from you too x
Hi there, I was just wondering if you made the cardboard cones or if you purchased them!
They’re beautiful!
Hi – thank you! I bought the cones. They are easily available at most craft shops.