DIY Vintage Christmas Countdown / Advent Calendar

Whenever December arrives, I like to have an Advent Calendar/Christmas Countdown for the kiddos.  Sometimes I make them, sometimes I don’t.  I was feeling crafty this year so I decided to make one, but instead of the full 24/25 days, I opted for the Twelve Days of Christmas.
I found this picture at Goodwill and I knew I could work with the frame!
Once I got it home I turned it over to check out the backing – and it was this.  Ugh.  It definitely wasn’t the easiest thing to remove, but it eventually came off.
I added some black paint with a piece of paper towel, but I was also careful not to cover up all the gold.  I was going for an aged vintage look…
It was looking pretty…
Once dry, I turned it over and added string to the back.
I used hot glue and a staple gun to keep it in place.
Next up, I got to work using my brown paper bags, these pretty vintage gift tags and some number stickers I found from the dollar store.
I added candy to the bag…

…then folded the bag…

…and then glued it together like an envelope.
I turned the bag over and glued on the gift tag.

Next, the dollar store numbers were added to the upper left hand corner.
I repeated that several times and then I tied the bags into place using the gift tag string onto the string and a Christmas Countdown was born!

This was so fun to make.  I did make an Instagram Reel about it and it took me fooooorever, but it was totally worth the effort!  I’d love it if you checked it out!  To make this without filming a Reel wouldn’t take as long.  Kids could even help with this project, it really was easy and a good time!
Now to wait for the countdown to begin.  In the meantime, it serves as a pretty Christmas-y piece of artwork in our home.
Thanks so much for stopping by, it means so much!
Best Wishes,
Marie 🙂
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12 Comments

  1. This is my kind of project! I love repurposing too! We would love for you to link this post (or any of your choosing!) to our link party for a chance to be featured! It runs from Tuesday-Saturday each week 😊 Reinvented Delaware

  2. You know I love this project so I am excited to tell you this post will be featured in Tuesday Turn About Link party this week! Thanks for joining us and I hope to see you at the party this week! Pinning! 😊

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