Having three children, I have found it difficult to find an advent calendar that could be used for multiple children without having to make each child take a turn in a rotation. Last year, we used a Playmobil advent calendar, which had one or more items in each box meant for a single child, so I ended up trying to squeeze 3 candies into each box. That way, even though our children had to take turns to get the toy, they would each get a little treat daily. Like with most advent calendars, the boxes were not designed to accommodate three children, so I had a hard time fitting 3 candies into every box.
Because of this, I decided to solve my own problem by making my own advent calendar. I was able to find a couple of the key items at Discount School Supply, where I found the inspiration to make an advent calendar that looked like a collection of books. Books would likely fit into any home's decor and you could even empty out a shelf to house them for the month of December. We decided to put ours on top of a bookcase, but they would also work on a sofa table or a mantel.
Step 1: Cut a piece of wrapping paper for each book leaving a 1.5" border at the top and the bottom and a .75" border on the left and the right.
Step 2: With the wrapping paper right-side facing down, crease and fold the top and the bottom, making the entire length of the paper the same height as the book.
Step 3: Use the glue stick to apply glue onto the entire perimeter of the wrapping paper. Then very lightly apply glue to the rest of the paper. (Too much glue will cause your paper to wrinkle.)
Step 4: Smoothly wrap the paper around the papier-mache book, leaving some overhang along the edges of the front and back cover.
Step 5: Wrap the overhang around each edge, pressing it down firmly in place.
Step 6: Use your bottle of all-purpose glue to glue down any corners and edges that need securing.
Step 7: About an inch from the top of the book, apply the poster tape starting on the inside edge of the front cover, wrapping it around the outer cover, and ending on the inside edge of the back cover.
Step 8: Using the permanent marker, write the number "1" on the poster tape along the binding.
Step 9: Repeat steps 1 to 8 with the next 23 books, numbering each one a different number from 2 to 24.
Step 10: Cut an 8" piece of ribbon to make a bookmark that will help your children keep track of which day they are on. (I used a scrap piece of patterned ribbon I had leftover from another project, dovetailed the ends, and tied a knot at each end.)
Now comes the fun part . . . filling each book with surprises for your children. As you can see, these books are large enough to fit Tootsie Roll Pops, so you really are less restricted with what you can fill them with.
Ways to make this project your own . . .
I like craft projects that are quick and easy, but there are many ways you can customize this craft to fit your own tastes, such as:
- Decoupage scraps of wrapping paper onto the cover instead of using one piece.
- Use fabric to wrap the books instead of wrapping paper.
- Use calligraphy to write the numbers on the binding.
- Use decals for your numbers instead of writing them by hand.
- Tie a small charm onto one end of the ribbon bookmark.
- Instead of wrapping the books, have your children paint them and decorate them with Christmas stickers.
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what a great idea - thanks for sharing it!
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:16 PM
This is the best Advent Calendar I have seen for multiple children. I really like that the books appear to be able to withstand many years of use. Thanks for the great idea!
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 8:55 AM
What a cute and wonderful idea! My daughter LOVED getting the chocolates out of the calendar every day. I know my grandson would love to do something similar!
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 10:22 AM
very creative.. love the idea!
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 8:40 PM
Oh my gosh, I love this! I might just take the plunge - how do you store it?
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:21 AM
@Rachel: Do you mean to store them away for next year? You can just put them in a box or storage container. They stack together neatly just like real books.
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:29 AM
I so want to do one of these for my son. Thanks for the ideas.. And I love discount school supplies
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 1:32 PM
This is really a great activity. I am going to get this started tomorrow.
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Great idea! We have three kids too and I have been trying to figure this out!
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Wow. You are so incredibly crafty. I wish I had time to do projects like this. At the current time, it is a store bought Advent calendar or none at all. I will, however, forward this to my incredibly crafty sister. She not only made her Christmas wreath this year, but mines as well, pretty much for the reasons mentioned above. Maybe she'll make me an Advent calendar too ;)
Kimberly Dsouza
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 1:47 AM
@Kimberly Dsouza: Thanks Kimberly! I actually did not have a lot of time to spend on this project, otherwise I would have taken the time to add some of the touches I listed on the bottom. :)
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:22 AM
Love this idea so much! thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 4:47 PM
This is the best advent idea I've seen so far! I'm pinning this one, where did you find the books?
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 10:21 PM
@Mrs.Smitty: Thanks! I got these books from Discount School Supply: http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=26662&rec=PDHbot. They probably sell them individually at your local craft store, but it will likely cost a bit more.
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 10:28 PM
This is great. Being retired now, I have a bit of time to spend on craft projects, at least more now than I did before. I would like to make one of these for my two children so that they can use them for their families to celebrate Advent.
Liz Sevin
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 2:16 AM
My kids are crazy about our Advent calendar too. I've been researching making our own, but ended up getting a PBK one. I do still want a table top one, though.
But this was VERY CUTE and crafty!
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:11 AM
stumbled your tutorial!
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Wow, I really like this idea! I need to put it on my "to do this summer" list so I have it for next year!
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:38 AM
These are really awesome. I am having a hard time making a visual for my little one. This is something she would love.
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 2:21 AM
Cute idea! I love the fact that it could be anything you think of. The possiblities are endless. It even looks like it would store pretty good.
robjenhayes@juno.com
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 6:17 AM
Great idea - very cute! It looks like you could use this for years to come. We have three kids as well so the Advent calendar challenge I completely understand. Thanks!
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:46 AM
How do you come up with all of this? You're good girlfriend! This would be great for my oldest daughter and her 3 children.
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 9:48 AM
YOU are a life saver! I could have never have thought of this on my own. But, I am wondering if you have any ideas on what I could use that might be just a tad smaller (less expensive) for the boxes? The only thing I could think of was perhpas match boxes? I know it might not hold more than a mini candy or 2, but that's all I can think of. This will be a summer project for me to make for my niece for Christmas! Thanks!
Posted on May 15, 2013 at 11:11 PM
@Robin Wilson: Robin what about those mini single serve cereal boxes? You could wrap or decoupage them. :)
Posted on May 15, 2013 at 11:15 PM
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