Homemade Paper Envelope Advent Calendar

DIY Paper Envelope Advent Calendar

For me, the countdown to Christmas day is as exciting as the event itself. I just love all the buildup and anticipation.
 
 
What better way to start the countdown to Christmas than with an advent calendar. Homemade ones are the best, as you get to choose what you put inside them. With this paper envelope advent calendar there is a chocolate treat and cheesy Christmas joke for each day.
 
 
The calendar is very easy to make. I used Christmas craft paper to make mine. However, you can use any paper from upcycled Christmas wrapping paper, old book pages and even maps to make yours. So many possibilities!
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
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What you need to make an Envelope Advent Calendar

• Envelope template : You can buy one cheaply online or you can download this one here (Envelope template) and cut your own out of cardboard.

 
 

 
 
 

• Christmas paper, can either be craft paper, old wrapping paper or even Christmas paper out of magazines. I use a combination of all these.

 

• Glue stick, scissors, & Christmas twine

 

• Mini craft pegs.

 

• Number stencils

 

• Wooden coat Hanger.

 

• Red spray paint

 

How to make an Envelope Advent Calendar

1. Using whatever Christmas paper you have chosen, make the mini paper envelopes. Use the template for this. You will need 25 envelopes or 24 if you are a 24-day advent calendar kind of person.
    
   I have found that there is a big debate on whether advent calendars should be 25 or 24 days. Personally, I think you should just do how many days you like. I’ve even seen shop bought advent calendars go up to New Year’s Eve!

 
 

 
 
 

2. Next, stencil, draw or paint a number on each envelope 1 – 25. Then fill them with treats and jokes.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

3. When all the envelopes are made it’s time to decide how you want to hang them. I spray painted an old wooden hanger red and then hung my envelopes from this using the craft pegs and twine. Doing it this way enabled me to hang it easily on the back of boys bedroom doors.
    
   You can of course just hang them on the string like bunting.

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
You may have noticed I have hung my numbered envelopes in a random order, that’s just a personal preference. For me, part of the fun of an advent calendar is hunting for the right day. Also in life, I generally err on the side of randomness rather than order and symmetry.
 
 
What do you put in your advent calendars? As children we used to have those paper calendars where you’d open the window each day to reveal a different picture there wasn’t a chocolate in sight. Now there would be a mutiny if my boys didn’t have a daily sweet treat in their calendars. But I think they like the cheesy jokes more, even though they won’t admit it.
 
One of the best advent calendars I had was from my husband, and everyday there was a different alcoholic chocolate truffle.
 
If your a bit short of Christmas jokes the Telegraph compiled a list of the best 50.
 
With 3 boys in our home we have more than one advent calendar each one different. If you are looking for more ideas for DIY advent calendars you should check out my tin can upcyeld advent calendar or my jeans pocket handmade advent calender.
 
 
You might like some of my other Christmas crafts:
15 Unique Christmas Advant Calendars
Giant Christmas Felt Letters
Upcycled Felt Garland
Christmas Elf on the Shelf