It is time to get those Advent calendars ready for the year. We like to change ours up every year and the kids love it. My oldest has been going on and on about it all November to anyone who will listen. Last year we made these Unique DIY Advent Mailboxes but this year we’re going big. This DIY Christmas tree Advent calendar takes up an entire wall! If you want an awesome statement piece of décor then this is it. Don’t worry. Even though it is big it is easy to make and inexpensive. After you find out how to make it, keep reading for ideas on how to fill it.

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Materials

24 Paper Christmas Gift Bags
Gift Tags (Mine came from this paper set)
Paper Cutter
Christmas Cord
24 Push Pins
Advent Gifts (See Below for Ideas)
Hole Punch
Scissors

Step 1

First cut out all of your tags.

Step 2

Next, make a numbered list of all of your Advent gifts in the order that you want to give them.

Tip:

Have your planner handy for this part so that you can schedule your activities around other commitments your family has.

Step 3

Fill out each gift tag with the day and the corresponding Advent gift or activity.

Step 4

Next, punch a hole in each tag.

Step 5

Cut 24 lengths of cord and tie one on each gift tag.

Step 6

After your tags are ready, fill each bag with an Advent gift. (Again, you can see below for ideas on what to give.)

Step 7

Next, measure your bag placement starting at the top of the tree.

Step 8

Continue hanging your bags as pictured until you finish hanging the row with 6 bags.

Step 9

On the last row, hang your last 3 bags in the center to form the base of your tree.

Tip:

I hung the gifts in ascending order, so the gift for Day 1 is on the bottom left.

Advent Gifts

The following list is our exact Advent gifts for this year in the order in which we are giving them. Don’t forget to have your planner handy when you are scheduling your gifts. For example, a living room campout isn’t good for a school night or a treat-making gift on a game or practice day.

Paper Chain Decorations

Grab some pretty scrapbook paper and use it to make some fun Christmas decorations.

Candy

Early on in the month on busy days, candy is an easy Advent gifts that kids, of course, love.

Write Letters to Santa

Print out these adorable printables and put them in the gift bag for kids to fill out. If you want to take this one further, head to a local Macy’s and drop them off in their North Pole Mailbox.

Make Ornaments

This can be as elaborate or simple as you would like to fit your schedule. You can get very hands-on and make salt dough ornaments together. You can also purchase a pack of wooden ornaments and have the kids color those with paint or markers.

Hot Cocoa Night

Fill the bag for this day with hot cocoa mix and then let kids choose their own mix-ins to personalize their hot cocoa. White chocolate chips, caramels, crushed peppermint, and cinnamon sticks are a few ideas of flavors that go great with hot chocolate.

Cookie Decorating

If you’re not a baker, buy plain cookies at the store for this gift bag. On the Advent day, set kids up with icings and festive sprinkles to decorate their cookies with.

Make Christmas Trees

Buy a pack of pennants at the store to put in the gift bag. Then let kids color their “trees” and decorate with ribbons, pompoms, and buttons.

Festival of Lights

Our zoo has amazing holiday festivities at the PNC Festival of Lights. This is a great activity for the whole family full of animals, lights, rides, and more. If your zoo doesn’t do a holiday event, search your city’s website for other events in your area that your family can try.

Coloring Books

Take some time to relax as a family and color on new Christmas coloring books. Don’t forget to grab some fresh crayons if you need them.

Christmas Noise Makers Craft

I’m sharing the tutorial for these on Wednesday but for now you can put some white paper dessert plates in the bag.

Mini Gingerbread Houses

This is an easier take on traditional gingerbread house making that doesn’t require you to be in the kitchen for hours baking. Instead, tuck some graham crackers and candy in the gift bag. Let each child form and decorate an individual house for this Advent gift.

Color Wrapping Paper

I got this awesome roll of coloring wrapping paper last year but this is the closest thing I’ve found this year. If you don’t have any coloring wrapping paper, simply use a roll of kid’s art paper to decorate then wrap presents with.

Christmas Books

Fill a gift bag with some new Christmas books for each kid. Make it a family activity and read them together before bed.

Movie Night

With so many awesome new Christmas movies made each year, you can’t miss a movie night during Advent. You can buy a new movie for the gift bag or pick a movie on Netflix and put some microwave popcorn in the bag.

Paint Ceramics

The Dollar Tree has these adorable little sets that are an easy and fun Christmas activity for kids. They may even want to wrap them up as gifts for the grandparents which I totally support!

Make Jingle Bell Bracelets

This is another easy and fun crafts. All you need is some plastic cording and jingle bells. Thread the bells on the cording and tie the ends to make a bracelet.

Make Treats

Put some aprons in the gift bag and spend this day making delicious treats. If you feel ambitious, let each child pick out one candy and one cookie recipe to try. Then everyone gets at least one treat that they like.

Decorate Santa Hats

Grab some fabric paint and plain Santa hats to fill this bag. Let kids decorate their hats then allow them to dry for 24 hours before wearing. (It also helps set the paint if you throw them in the dryer for 10 minutes after the paint has dried.)

Deliver Treats

The holiday season is better when you share the cheer with others. Today, add some treats to bags and deliver them to your neighbors as a family. Fill the gift bag with a package of cellophane treat bags.

Christmas Game Night

We love playing games so much that we actually have Christmas themed board games. Don’t worry if you don’t, though. You can find tons of fun Christmas games on 12 Hilarious Christmas Party Games.

Living Room Campout

Use blankets to make a giant tent in the living room and have a campout. For the gift bag, add some glow sticks for the kids. Try to go without electric lights during your campout (except for maybe the Christmas tree).

Minivan Express

This is one that kids look forward to every year. You can read more about it on Create Memories with Your Advent Gifts but it is always a fun memory that kids cherish.

Make Reindeer Food

It’s important not to forget about Santa’s reindeer on the big night. Mix up a treat to help them keep their strength up on Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to put it out before going to bed Christmas Eve.

Stuffed Animals

Make waiting for Santa to arrive a little easier with new stuffed animals to cuddle with.

The kids are so excited to dig into this DIY Christmas tree Advent calendar. You will be doing more than counting down to Christmas. You are creating memories that last a lifetime with these gifts. It is rewarding to see how much your kids look forward to the activities more than the gifts. Use your Advent calendar as a reminder to slow down this season and make time for family. Don’t forget to come back on Wednesday to find out how to make Christmas Noise Makers. Until then, get your home decorated for Christmas on a budget with these frugal tips!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

When it comes to Christmas you want to transform your home into a beautiful holiday wonderland. Your budget can put a damper on that idea in a hurry when the money simply isn’t there. Thankfully, you can still create that wonderland with these frugal tips for gorgeous Christmas décor on a budget. If you saw the tutorial for Easy DIY Jingle Bell Button Stockings, then you already know that I’m changing my entire Christmas décor for the first time in 10+ years. What you don’t know is that it was done for $200! With these tips you can have a beautiful Christmas home on a budget, too.

This is a sponsored post written on behalf on Oriental Trading. In addition, affiliate links are used on this site. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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First Stop: Oriental Trading

Do you think that Oriental Trading is only for crafts and birthday parties? Think again. They have tons of beautiful Christmas décor for a fraction of what you’ll find it other places. They’ve also organized their décor by style to make it easy for you to coordinate. I chose pieces from their Holiday Handicraft collection but you might love their Buffalo Plaid or Nordic Noel collections. No matter what your Christmas style, find awesome décor pieces at Oriental Trading that fit your budget.

Put Up a Smaller Tree

Choosing a smaller tree is another great way to save money this Christmas. First of all, it’s cheaper since trees are priced by size. It also more easily accommodates larger gifts when you place it on a crate or pedestal. A smaller tree also means that you need less decorations and ornaments to achieve that holiday style.

Bonus Tip:

Save even more on your tree decorations by using pretty ribbon instead of traditional garland.

Throw Blankets and Pillows

Add a festive touch to your furniture with holiday throw blankets and pillows. The neutral gray of our chairs meant that I could get this detailed snowman blanket and set of button throw pillows for our décor. If your furniture is patterned, opt for plain throws in festive colors that match your décor.

Use Your Presents

Don’t just throw a hodge podge of wrapped gifts under your tree. Instead, coordinate your wrapping paper with your Christmas décor. Choose 3 or 4 different papers and stick with a cohesive wrapping style. This will give your home an instant luxe look for the season.

Wrap Pictures

Speaking of wrapping paper, don’t limit its use to your Christmas gifts. Wrap it on your wall art to add some easy and inexpensive holiday décor to your home. If you’re feeling super energetic, add some ribbon and bows to your wrapped pictures as well.

Use Items in New Ways

When it comes to frugal décor, don’t be afraid to use items in different ways. Fill a pretty vase with bells or ornaments for instant festiveness. Use a holiday serving tray as mantle décor or wall art.

Add Little Touches

Don’t underestimate the little touches. Add small bottle brush trees or pine cones to dress up your everyday décor like pillar candles or bookshelves. A festive swag can be an easy way to add big impact to your décor, too.

Advent Calendar

Make your Advent calendar a part of your décor instead of simply a countdown to Christmas. This year ours is a giant tree that I’ll be sharing on Monday but these Advent Mailboxes are another great way to add to your Christmas décor this season.

These frugal tips for gorgeous Christmas décor make it easy to turn your home into a beautiful winter wonderland. Don’t forget to check out Oriental Trading to update your holiday décor on a budget. You can also save money by making your own holiday décor. Start with this DIY Golden Stained Glass Ornament or this easy Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder. Then come back next week for more easy DIY Christmas ideas.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Happy early Thanksgiving to you and your family this year! The upcoming weekend is the unofficial weekend to put up your Christmas decorations. If you are changing up your décor this year like us, you will love these 15 DIY Christmas ornaments. Below are ideas to fit any style and save money at the same time. Don’t forget to come back December 1^st for more DIY ornament ideas when we kick off the 12 Days of Christmas blog hop. Until then, these awesome crafts will help tide you over.

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DIY Wood Slice Deer Ornament (Our Crafty Mom)

How cool is this 3-dimensional take on a wood slice ornament? It adds amazing style to your tree quickly and easily.

Wood Grain Leather Ornaments (Deco Art Blog)

Your Cricut machine makes decorating your tree a breeze. This idea is super easy but beautiful.

Snowman Christmas Ornament Craft (Premeditated Leftovers)

This adorable little guy is so easy to make that your kids can get in on the crafty fun.

Christmas Bell Ornament (Duct Tape and Denim)

Do your existing ornaments still work but need a makeover? See how she transformed this old bell ornament easily.

Fabric Christmas Ornaments (Life Sew Savory)

Here is another great way to update old ornaments and change up your Christmas style.

Yarn Lollipop Christmas Ornament (Across the Blvd.)

These candy-inspired ornaments are perfect for your candy tree or a more traditional tree.

Christmas Mason Jar Lid Ornaments (Simply Darrling)

There is no end to how pretty you can make old Mason jar lids. These are just one amazing example!

Jingle Bell Mini Wreath Ornament (Sparkle)

Jingle bells always dress up the tree and these sweet little ornaments are no exception. You could easily change them to fit your style by changing the ribbon you use.

DIY Moss Christmas Tree Ornaments (Stow and Tell U)

These beautiful and easy ornaments would look great on a white tree. They are also great for dressing up other areas of your home if you turn them into a festive garland to hang.

Christmas Ornament from Vintage Cards (Petticoat Junktion)

Looking for a gorgeous ornament idea that is also Earth-friendly? These vintage card ornaments are the perfect solution.

Easy DIY Wreath Ornament (The Everyday Home)

These gorgeous and easy wreath ornaments are made even better with her beautiful, free printable inserts.

Handmade Beaded Christmas Ornaments (Crystal & Co.)

These easy ornaments are another great one to get the kids in on making. You can also make them match any tree style by changing your bead choice.

Scrabble Tile Christmas Ornaments (Simply Darrling)

Express your holiday cheer with custom sentiments when you make these Scrabble tile ornaments.

Silver Bell Christmas Ornaments (Petticoat Junktion)

Here is another great way to update older ornaments. They totally make me want to start setting up a kitchen tree each year.

Glittery DIY Lollipop Ornament (DIY Adulation)

If your Christmas style is more bright and colorful then these glittery ornaments are for you. Make them from surprising materials that you already have at home.

I love all 15 DIY Christmas ornaments above. They make you want to have multiple trees throughout your home so you can try each style! If you still want more ornament-y goodness, check out the latest tutorial from me, DIY Golden Stained Glass Ornament. After you are done crafting this year’s ornaments, stick around for the Merry Monday link party. Check out all of the latest and greatest from your friend and share what you’ve been creating below. See you down there!