Creating A Wedding Advent Calendar: A Guide

Advent calendars are a fun way to count down to Christmas, but they can also be used for other occasions, such as weddings. You can make your own advent calendar with items from craft stores like Hobby Lobby and The Dollar Tree, or you can buy one from Amazon. When making a wedding advent calendar, you can include gifts that will inspire, relax, and excite the bride in the days leading up to her wedding.

Choosing a theme and supplies

The first step to making a wedding advent calendar is to decide on a theme. This could be a colour scheme, such as the bride's favourite colours, or a more general theme like "relaxation". Once you have a theme in mind, it's time to gather your supplies.

For the calendar structure itself, you could use a padded burlap board, a pre-made paper mache advent calendar box, or a wooden advent calendar with drawers. If you're feeling particularly crafty, you could make your own advent calendar from scratch using wood cutouts and a hot glue gun.

To add some extra flair to your calendar, consider using gift tags, count-down signs, and a variety of wrapping papers. You can also find number stamps, stencils, or stickers to mark each day. Silicone finger protectors can be a helpful addition when using a hot glue gun.

Finally, don't forget to choose some small gifts to include in your calendar. These could be things like a sleeping mask, wine, nail polish, hand cream, a vibrating alarm clock, bath products, or a gift card to a coffee shop.

Preparing the calendar structure

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Firstly, you will need to gather all the necessary supplies for your calendar structure. This includes a calendar box, which can be made from materials such as paper mache or wood. You can find these at craft stores like Hobby Lobby or online. Additionally, you will need wood cutouts, which can be purchased or handmade, and scrapbook paper in various patterns and colours. Other essential tools include a hot glue gun, glue sticks, silicone finger protectors, a square paper punch, and number stamps, stencils, or stickers.

Step 2: Prepare the Wood Cutouts

Before you begin, carefully examine your wood cutouts to ensure they are all the same shape and size. Adjust and cut them as needed to fit into the slots on the wood base of your calendar box. If there are any holes or gaps, fill them with wood filler and let it dry. Paint the wood cutouts to match your chosen scrapbook paper design. This adds a personal and festive touch to your calendar structure.

Step 3: Cut the Scrapbook Paper

Use a paper cutter to cut the scrapbook paper into precise sizes. The sizes will depend on the dimensions of your calendar box drawers. For example, if your drawers are 2" x 2", cut the paper with an additional 1/8" in height to account for any slight crookedness in the boxes. Cut enough paper to cover all the drawers, usually around 24-25 pieces.

Step 4: Stamp or Stencil the Numbers

Using your number stamps, stencils, or stickers, carefully apply the numbers to the scrapbook paper. Ensure the ink is completely dry before handling the paper to avoid smudging. You can also use a solid-coloured paper for the numbers and glue them onto larger printed squares for a more polished look.

Step 5: Assemble the Calendar

Now, it's time to assemble your calendar structure. Use hot glue to attach the numbered squares to the front of each calendar box. Be cautious when using the hot glue gun to avoid burns. Adjust the height of the squares as needed to ensure a uniform look. Use a craft knife to cut out half circles or any other necessary shapes on the top of the boxes.

Step 6: Finalize the Details

Adhere the wood cutouts to the top of the calendar box with hot glue, creating a decorative and thematic touch. You can also add any other final touches, such as ribbons, bows, or additional decorations, to enhance the overall appearance of your wedding advent calendar.

By following these steps, you will create a sturdy and beautiful calendar structure that forms the foundation of your wedding advent calendar. From there, you can fill the boxes with treats, gifts, or other surprises to count down to the special day!

Preparing the gifts

Firstly, decide on a theme or colour scheme for your gifts. This could be something that ties in with the wedding colours or a particular interest or hobby of the bride or couple. For example, you could choose a spa or relaxation theme, with gifts like a sleeping mask, bath salts, and a nail care set. Or, if the bride has a sweet tooth, you could include treats like marshmallows or a box of chocolates.

Once you have a theme, start curating a selection of mini gifts that will fit your theme and bring joy, inspiration or relaxation to the recipient in the lead up to their wedding day. These gifts should be small enough to fit into the advent calendar and can be a mix of practical and sentimental items. For example, on day 12, you could include a sleeping mask and a cooling pack, with a note reminding the bride to get plenty of beauty sleep before the big day. On another day, you might include a bottle of wine, with a note suggesting they take some time to relax and de-stress.

When selecting your gifts, consider the timing of the wedding and any relevant occasions in the lead up to the event. For example, if there is a bridal shower or bachelorette party, you could include a gift that ties in with that, such as a "Bride-to-Be" sash or a hangover cure kit for the morning after.

As you choose your gifts, think about any personal touches or notes you want to include. These could be funny, sentimental or simply practical. For instance, you could include a note with a bottle of wine that says, "By now, you're finalising the seating chart and stressing over centrepieces. Take a break and treat yourself to this glass of wine!" Or, with a nail polish and hand cream gift, you might write, "Time to focus on those ring selfies! Use this hand cream and nail polish to ensure your hands are photo-ready for all those close-ups of the bling!"

Finally, before you start wrapping, lay out all your gifts and take a photo for reference. This will ensure you don't forget any items and it will help you visualise how everything will look once it's packaged up. Then, get creative with your wrapping paper, ribbons and gift tags, choosing a colour scheme that ties in with your overall theme. Remember to number each gift so the recipient knows the order in which to open them.

Assembling the calendar

First, lay out all your gifts on the padded burlap board and take a photo for reference. This will help you visualise the placement of each item and ensure an appealing presentation. Once you start securing the gifts, you will need to move them around, so having a photo will be very helpful.

Now, it's time to wrap your mini gifts! Pick a colour scheme and get creative with the wrapping paper. You can use bows, tissue paper, ribbons, and other decorative elements to make each gift look unique and exciting. After wrapping, lay out the gifts again to ensure you're happy with the overall appearance.

The next step is to start securing the gifts to the board. Use staples, glue guns, or any other suitable adhesive to attach the gifts to the board. Try to hide the staples or adhesives behind big bows, tissue paper, or other creative coverings. For smaller items, a glue gun will be your best friend.

Finally, add the finishing touches! Attach gift tags with thoughtful notes, count down signs, and any other decorations you desire. Be sure to include a variety of gifts that will inspire, relax, and excite the bride-to-be as she counts down the days to her wedding.

Your wedding advent calendar is now ready to be displayed and enjoyed! This unique calendar will surely build anticipation and create lasting memories for the lucky recipient.

Adding the finishing touches

Now that you've gathered your gifts and assembled your calendar, it's time to add the finishing touches!

First, lay out all your gifts on the burlap board and take a photo for reference. This way, if you need to move the gifts around while securing them, you can refer back to the photo to remember their original placement.

Next, start wrapping your gifts! Pick a colour scheme and have fun with it. Use a variety of wrapping papers and finish with bows, tissue paper, and ribbons. For smaller items, a glue gun will come in handy. Once you're happy with how everything looks, start securing your gifts to the board.

Finally, add the gift tags with your personalised notes. These can include fun messages, well-wishes, or even activity suggestions for the bride-to-be to help her count down the days until her wedding.

Your wedding advent calendar is now ready to be gifted! This thoughtful and creative calendar is sure to bring excitement and joy to the recipient as they count down the days to their special day.

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