Countdown to Christmas with 15 DIY Advent Calendars

Advent Calendar Round-Up

Thanksgiving has passed, and it’s now  socially acceptable to begin the count down to Christmas. But let’s be honest, you’ve secretly been waiting for at least a month. One of the best ways to celebrate the most festive month of the year is with an Advent calendar. Instead of buying a generic version at the grocery store, craft your own calendar,and put it on display. I’ve pulled together a list of 15 of my favorite DIY Advent Calendars to inspire you.

Round-up of Inspiring DIY Advent Calendars | Five Marigolds

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Sophisticated Nursery Art for $15

Ever since I’d planned my first born daughter’s nursery 7 years ago, I had a vision for adding vintage Barbie prints to the room that they could grow with.

Sophisticated Blush and Gold Baby Nursery with toile accents and Jenny Lind crib | Five Marigolds

My inspiration came from places like Posh Tots, Rosenberry Rooms, and other upscale design stores who were selling the framed prints for upwards of $135 each.

Source www.rosenberryrooms.com

Source www.rosenberryrooms.com

Fast-forward to this year. In the process of moving I realized we had four matted square frames that we’d never used! I think it was one of those things that I thought my husband had returned, and he thought I’d returned. Regardless, it was a sweet score that inspired me to revive this decor idea as we began decorating the kids’ new rooms. This time, I found a way to create this art on the cheap. I scoured Amazon for used vintage print Barbie calendars, and found that there are usually at least two 12×12 calendars available for a reasonable price. I believe I bought mine for around $10.

I spray painted my black frames with Rust-Oleum Metallic spray paint I had on hand (love this stuff), inserted my favorite prints, and voila! Vintage Barbie art for less than $15.

Sophisticated Blush and Gold Baby Nursery with toile accents and Jenny Lind crib | Five Marigolds

 

I love the look of three frames above the crib, but I’m debating adding the fourth and making it a square formation when Belle moves to a big girl bed. What do you think?

As for the rest of the room…

Sophisticated Blush and Gold Baby Nursery | Five Marigolds

It’s needs some love. I have big plans, but I’m taking my time.

Sophisticated Blush and Gold Baby Nursery | Five Marigolds

Sophisticated Nursery in Blush, Champagne and Toile | Five Marigolds

Details:

 

DIY Advent Calendar – the beginning

advent calendar

DIY Felt Advent Calendar | Five Marigolds

 

As a kid, I absolutely loved Advent Calendars.  You know, the little paper calendars with the perforated doors.  Sometimes there was a Christmas picture behind the little paper door and sometimes a bible verse.  It didn’t matter, I loved the process of opening on each day.  I wanted to create an Advent Calendar tradition with my own children, but I wanted to create a keepsake – something they would look forward to getting out each year.

So, I went to the interwebs to find something to inspire me – and the pickings were slim. This was in 2008, a pre-Pinterest era, and there just wasn’t a lot out there I loved.  Enter Stitchcraft Creations with her super cute felt calendar.  With her pretty version as my guide, I embarked on “adventures in Advent Calendars.”