Some of us count down in days, others in weeks, and those with big shopping lists – in pay periods!
One of the most fun ways to countdown to Christmas is with an advent calendar. I decided to add a new twist to an old tradition. In this article, I will show you how to make beautiful ‘advent’ boxes.
These boxes also make perfect gift boxes for those ‘great things that come in small packages’ or, fill with chocolates for a wonderful hostess gift.
In our home, we number these boxes and hang them on a garland, but feel free to hang them right in your tree or anywhere else that needs a festive touch.
Step 1
For this particular sized box, I started with a piece of card stock that measures 3 ½” wide by 7” long. This pattern can be adjusted size wise to accommodate larger objects to be placed inside. There are a lot of beautiful patterned papers available at craft stores and even some dollar stores that work well.
Step 2
Fold paper in half length wise. Crease well and unfold.
Step 3
Fold paper from outside edge of the center fold to the middle of the end – see illustration. I have drawn the fold lines to indicate. Repeat until you have all four corners folded.
Step 4
When box is folded closed on one side as shown, use a hole punch and punch holes through both layers. Open punched side, close non-punched side and repeat.
Step 5
Thread thin, decorative ribbon through holes from the inside of the box out. Do not tie off.
Step 6
Fill box with desired contents and tie off. Make sure your ribbon is long enough to attach to a garland or branch if you are planning on hanging the box up.
Step 7
Decorate as desired. For this example, I used a Bosskut poinsettia die cutter. I alternated layers in two slightly different shades of the same colour and held them together with a gold brad. I then added glue, using a glue pen and some glitter. Coloured glitter glue works great, too.
You can also decorate your box with a stampedimage, a printed image from your computer, images from recycled Christmas cards or stickers. Finally, add a number – stickers, stamped or hand-written. There is no wrong way to decorate these triangle boxes. And remember, a touch of glitter always makes things look more festive!
Have fun and happy countdown!
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Kat Theus is the marketing manager at Nanaimo Seniors Village and an avid crafter. She often helps with a monthly paper crafting/stamping group at the independent living building.
For more information call 250-760-2325.
www.retirementconcepts.com/locations/nanaimo-seniors-village
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