Easy Advent Calendar Craft
Christmas Decorations
This easy advent calendar craft takes under an hour to make. Â Use leftover gift wrap and fill with a few sweets, to make a great cheap decoration or gift.
“Some people’ may say its too early to start thinking about Christmas. And indeed there are 2 schools of thought even in PaintSewGlueChew towers, where half of the team (comprising Mr PaintSewGlueChew and my son), think Christmas should not be planned for or executed before the 23rd Dec. At the earliest.
The other half (my daughter and I) believe you are very much behind schedule if you haven’t started before the end of October. Now who is to say which half is right (well obviously we are).
Suffice to say, now that halloween is out the way, preparations here s start for Christmas. Â This easy advent calendar crafts is one such craft. Its so easy, we can make a few to give to friends before the start of December.
Materials Needed
- Christmas Paper in 4 -5 different patterns. Left over gift wrap or Christmas paper from last year works perfectly.
- Double sided tape
- String or twine
- 24 “presents” small enough to fit in the pouches
- Hole Punch
- Shiny Card
- Printed numbers (optional)
- Stapler
Method
Cut the paper into 24 equal squares (around 15cm square).
For the pouches
Place double sided tape along three sides of the pieces of paper. Â Roll the paper into a tube, and secure the middle piece of tap to the side that has no tape. Â Squeeze one of the ends together, and secure with tape, before turning the other end 90 degrees, squeezing and taping that end.
Place the gifts in the pouches before you seal up the second hole.
Repeat with all of the pouches. Â I fill each pouch with a sweet per child in the house I’m gifting these to, so nobody gets left out. 15cm fits 3-4 smallish sweets easily.
Cut shiny card into tags of any shape. Â Mine were run through the printer. Â Alternatively just write the number neatly (or flamboyantly) on the back. Â Punch holes in each of the tags.
Thread a piece of twine and through each of the tags. 
Punch a hole in each pouch, and thread the tagged twine through it. Â Place two staples in the bottom hanging crease, to stop the sweets falling through. Â Provided the gifts are small / light enough, you may be able to omit this staple step.
All ready for the 1st of December.
Hang them wherever suits best in your house: On the banisters, on a long piece of string, or over the mantlepiece.  We have a minimalist tree that they look good on. 
A simple branch hung up with lights would work well, or just a classic pine tree.
If you prefer not to hang them (just tie the tag onto the pouches), simply place in a bowl or box.
Why type are you?
So when do you start getting ready for Christmas? Are you the last few days beforehand? (in which case not sure we can be friends 🙂 Or are you a started already kind of person?