This is a fun, simple project you can create using supplies you likely already have (and if you don't have them, you can get everything you need inexpensively). The advent period begins on December first, so I'm a little late posting this since we're already several days into December. But unless you're an absolute purist, you can skip ahead to whatever day you get your calendar created.
We'll be creating our "calendar" by making 25 tiny gift bags and labeling them with numbers, counting down from 25 to 1. You can make them with any paper you like. Christmas wrapping paper is perfect (save your scraps if you've already started wrapping gifts because you'll be using small pieces), but you can also do this with plain printer paper if it's what you have on hand. I've also used brown paper bags cut into pieces. You'll also need tape or glue and scissors. Anything else you need to complete the bags is going to be based on how you want to close and/or decorate them. For example, I punched holes in the tops of the bags and used string to close them and attach the number tags. You could also use tape or staples to do this.
There are plenty of videos online that will show you how to make gift bags by measuring, marking, scoring, folding and cutting, but what we're going to do here is simpler, and in my opinion, faster. We're going to use a small box as a template and wrap it (partially) like a Christmas present. I used an old box of staples because it was the size I wanted. Any small, sturdy object will work as long as it the size of the bag you want to make.
Once you've selected a box for your template, make a cutting pattern with a piece of scrap paper (I used a piece of junk mail). You'll use this to cut all of your paper before you begin, making the process more streamlined.
You want a nice clean top edge on your bags, so fold your scrap paper over by about a half inch along the top. It isn't necessary to tape the scrap paper around the box, just make sure it will go all the way around your template and that there will be enough hanging over at the bottom to completely wrap it. Now, using your pattern, cut all 25 pieces from your wrapping paper. Don't forget to unfold the top edge of your pattern so you cut your pieces big enough.
Now it's just a matter of wrapping your template 25 times. Start by folding over the top edge of your wrapping paper and then continue the same way you would wrap any package, the only difference is that you won't be wrapping the top end. It sounds like a lot of work, but it goes quickly once you get into the groove. Put on some music, a movie or your favorite podcast. If you've got more than one of the same size box/template and can get a friend or family member to help you, you'll get it done twice as fast. Make sure to run your fingers along each side and sort of "pinch" the paper to create a crisp edge before you remove the box from the wrapping. Once the wrapping is carefully removed from the box, you can crease the edges more firmly.
You can now fill all of your bags with whatever little gifts you want; coins, candy, trinkets and/or special messages, then close them and add number tags. You can make the tags out of paper or cardstock and either hand write the numbers or print them out on your printer. I printed mine on cardstock. For reference, I used the font "Castle Press No 1" which you can download for free on Dafont.
Your calendar can now be displayed however you like. I scattered some of the bags on the coffee table next to a basket filled with the remaining bags.
Enjoy opening a new bag every day!
Willoughby
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