This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. All project ideas and opinions are 100% mine. See full disclosure at the end of the post.
I’m so excited to show you guys what I’ve been working on, and today is the day! We’ve partnered with Home Depot, along with more than 20 others bloggers who are also sharing their final projects in this #DIHWorkshop virtual party. Make sure to check out all the bloggers and their versions of the Holiday Ornament Display at the bottom of the post. Here’s my Christmas Advent calendar:
I decided to keep the spirit of the inspiration project in tact, creating a Christmas tree made of numbers instead of ornaments… a perfect advent calendar! I built the wooden backdrop using the plans from the Home Depot DIH Workshop, painted it white, and then used vinyl house numbers for the countdown. I splurged for a few of the nicer metal numbers for the 1 and 25 at the top and bottom of the Christmas tree. All in all, I spent less than $45 for all my materials to create this one-of-a-kind Christmas Advent Countdown for my home. I can’t wait to share how I did it.
Here are the materials I used, all from Home Depot:
(1) 1″ x 8″ x 12′ common board – cut into 3 pieces, 48″ each
(1) 1″ x 6″ x 8′ common board – cut into 2 pieces, 48″ each
(1) 1″ x 4″ x 6′ common board – cut into 2 pieces, 30″ each, with a scrap piece left over
1 box #8 Philips 1 1/4″ flat head multi-material screws
1 box 1 5/8″ Panel Board Nails
Behr color sample in Ultra Pure White, Flat paint
Hillman 3″vinyl numbers (3 packs)
Hillman Distinctions house numbers in Black (#1, 2, and 5)
The cuts for this project were so simple! I had them cut at Home Depot and he was super fast. Once I had my boards home, I did a quick sanding with a medium-grit sanding block before attaching them together. I lined up the 48″ boards all together, alternating the 8″ and 6″ boards. I attached them on the back using the two 30″ pieces as braces. I secured the bracing in place with two screws in each board, all the way across. The build part of the project was really easy, this is definitely a project simple enough for a beginner!
Once it was painted and dry, I starting working on my plans for the numbers to make sure it was all even and resembled the shape of a Christmas tree!
After the 1 at the top of the tree, there are 6 rows of numbers, each row is 5″ tall. I measured and marked the sides of the board 5″ down all the way, and drew a light pencil line across using a level.
I measured again on each line, and placed the vinyl number stickers in the center of their 4″ or 5″ space, according to my diagram. Once all of the numbers were on the board, I attached the metal numbers 1 and 25 with the small screws that came with them. The last step was to add a small white nail above each number to hold a wreath or other hanging object to mark the day of the countdown.
I measured 1 1/2″ above the center of each number and nailed in the nail. Now I was ready to add some finishing touches from items in my Christmas decor stash! This small wreath is the perfect size for framing the numbers on the countdown.
I also created the star at the top of the tree using copper wire and a strand of LED wire lights, powered by a small battery pack that I taped to the back.
For purely decoration purposes, I think it is so cute to have the wreath move around to the number of the day in the countdown.
But if you wanted to use it as a traditional Advent calendar with a treat or card to open each day, you could hang something else from the nails… small buckets, fabric bags, or a cute stocking like this:
We have special traditions we like to do as a family, and each day in December we open one slip of paper to find out what we will be doing to celebrate. This year I think I will move around the stocking and add a new paper every night for the kids to check in the morning!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my twist on the Holiday Ornament Display, now you can see what some of my favorite bloggers created below! And don’t forget, if you want to make one of these for yourself REGISTER here to go your local Home Depot this Thursday night, Nov. 17 at 6:30 pm. (You will be able to purchase your materials at the workshop.) I’d love to see your version if you go! Tag us on IG @mysisterssuitcase!
*The Home Depot partners with bloggers such as me for their #DIHWorkshop program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
I love this idea! Such a creative way to countdown to Christmas!
What an awesome project! I want to make one of these!
I know this is from last year, but where is the little girl’s dress from? So adorable!