Easy DIY Advent Calendar

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Make this easy DIY Advent Calendar in one afternoon! No special crafting tools necessary. Simply print off your calendar and frame it in!  

Easy Farmhouse DIY Wall Advent Calendar -- MAke this for super cheap without any fancy cutting tools! #christmas #ourhomemadeeasy

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Can you believe that we are already thinking about Christmas? As Jordan & I were bringing up our Christmas totes we were talking about how we didn’t have an advent calendar for the kids.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a total sucker for the chocolate windows of my childhood. But really– our kids are still snacking on Halloween candy so the last thing they need is 25 more days of pressed chocolate squares.

I told Jordan that he was right, we could use something to countdown the days til Christmas. However, between his work travel & our weekend shenanigans, it had to be something that we could make quickly.

And here it is! An easy DIY Advent Calendar!

this simple DIY farmhouse advent calendar is a perfect accent piece to your holiday decor

The best part? There is no paper cutting involved.  And I’m sending you the print, too! 🙂

Easy DIY Advent Calendar

Need your own farmhouse style advent calendar but without a lot of work? Keep reading!

Supplies Needed

Tools Used

here's how to make this simple DIY advent calendar that's perfect for a farmhouse style home

 

 

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Print Off Your Advent Calendar

Open the pretty printable library and download the calendar print. Upload your print to Office Depot or Staples. You can search for engineering prints, choose the 18″ x 24″ size, and print it off for about $2-3.

You can get access to the free advent calendar print at the very bottom of this post!

 

cutting the wood to make a frame for the DIY advent calendar

sand down the frame for the DIY advent calendar

 

Cut Your Wood Frame

Using your miter saw, cut your common board into framing strips. You will need to cut two strips 24” long and another two strips 19.5” long.

Sand the edges down slightly.

 

use a stain to add color to the advent calendar frame

Stain Your Frame

Once you have your frame pieces cute, stain them in your choice of color. We always stick to Dark Walnut because of its a favorite around the house. But we’ve always liked Weathered Gray, Koana, or even Early American for projects.

 

use an MDF board for the back of the advent calendar

make sure the mdf board is wiped clean so the advent calendar printable sticks

use mod podge to adhere the advent calendar printable to the MDF backboard

 

Mod Podge the Paper to The MDF

While your stain is drying, it’s time to glue your print to the MDF. You’ll want to have your MDF cut to size at the store (its’ a free service). 

Wipe off any extra dust from the MDF before you start applying the Mod Podge.

We followed this awesome tutorial on How to Mod Podge from Mod Podge Rocks. We laid a medium coat onto the MDF and then laid the paper on top of it. You’ll need an extra set of hands to help with this.

 

smooth the printable out on the MDF board

carefully apply the printable advent calendar to the MDF board

 

With a large plastic putty knife work out any bubbles and set the print in place. Let dry at least 60 minutes. There is no harm in letting it dry more.

Apply another thin coat of Mod Podge and dry for at least 60 minutes. Then sand with 400 grit sandpaper and apply another coat if desired. (We did just one coat on top of the print!)

 

place the wood frame around the advent calendar
this deep chestnut colored wood frame is the perfect color for a farmhouse style advent calendar

 

Build Your Frame

With small finish nails or a pneumatic finish nailer, 1.5 inches”  and a little glue, attach the 24” long boards to the 24” sides of the MDF. Make sure they are flush with the back of the MDF and are on their edge versus their face.

Then attach the 19.5” boards to the top of the MDF with glue and finish nails.

You’re almost done!

 

hammer nails into the calendar to hang the wreath ornament

these nails will allow you to hang an ornament on the calendar throughout the season

 

Nail In Your Hangers

Next, you will take 1” brad nails and nail ¾” above the center of each number.

 

this simple farmhouse style advent calendar is a perfect way to celebrate the season

 

Assemble Your Wreath

Lastly, take a thin piece of garland, and make a circle. Use it to create your daily wreath! If you didn’t want greenery, you could use a thin piece of cranberry garland or even some jute rope.

 

a pretty wreath ornament will circle the day through the advent season

a simple wreath is used as the ornament to circle the day throughout the calendar

 

Whew, isn’t it such a pretty piece for just a few dollars? I loved how quickly we built it in an afternoon and how nice it turned out! You can build this too with just a few supplies. Don’t forget to download the free Advent calendar print today!

 

Easy DIY Farmhouse Advent Calendar

Easy DIY Farmhouse Advent Calendar

Yield: 1 calendar
Active Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours
Estimated Cost: $10

This adorable DIY farmhouse style advent calendar is a simple project that can be done in one afternoon. It's perfect for the advent season!

Materials

Tools

Instructions

  1. Open the pretty printable library and download the calendar print. Upload your print to OfficeDepot or Staples. You can search for engineering prints, choose the 18" x 24" size, and print it off for about $2-3.  
  2. Using your mitersaw, cut your common board into framing strips. You will need to cut two strips 24” long and another two strips 19.5” long. Sand the edges down slightly.
  3. Once you have your frame pieces cute, stain them in your choice of color. We always stick to Dark Walnut because its a favorite around the house. But we've always liked Weathered Gray, Koana, or even Early American for projects.
  4. While your stain is drying, it's time to glue your print to the MDF. You'll want to have your MDF cut to size at the store (its' a free service). Wipe off any extra dust from the MDF before you start applying the Mod Podge.
  5. With a large plastic putty knife work out any bubbles and set the print in place. Let dry at least 60 minutes. There is no harm in letting it dry more.
  6. Apply another thin coat of Mod Podge and dry for at least 60 minutes. Then sand with 400 grit sandpaper and apply another coat if desired. (We did just one coat on top of the print!)
  7. With small finish nails or a pneumatic finish nailer, 1.5 inches"  and a little glue, attach the 24” long boards to the 24” sides of the MDF. Make sure they are flush with the back of the MDF and are on their edge versus their face.
  8. Then attach the 19.5” boards to the top of the MDF with glue and finish nails.
  9. Next, you will take 1”brad nails and nail ¾” above the center of each number.
  10. Lastly, take a thinpiece of garland, and make a circle. Use it to create your daily wreath! If you didn't want greenery, you could use a thin piece of cranberry garland or even some jute rope.

© Brittany Wise
Project Type: Woodworking / Category: DECOR

Get Your Free Advent Calendar Print Here!

 

 

 

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I’m a busy mom of two little ones who is constantly looking for the yummiest meals that are quick to make for school nights. I am a big fangirl of chalk paint projects because they make my DIY skills look amazing– even though I’m not a pro. I believe in creating routines to keep our days in check– even if they change each season! I completely understand what it’s like to be a Type A personality who tries to plan all the things, but still, wonder where to simply start.I’m a huge fan of not being Pinterest perfect. I prefer done over perfect any day.