Cheap & Easy DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar

This DIY Christmas countdown calendar is super cheap and easy to make. Fun and easy for kids of all ages to make their own this Christmas!

I remember when I was a child, every year my Mom would buy me and my sister an advent calendar. It was made of cardboard, and behind each little square was Christmas themed chocolate.

The Christmas countdown calendar was one of my favorite memories of the lead-up to Christmas, so naturally, I want to create something that kids can experience too (like these adorable DIY snowman ornaments kids can make).

I love this Christmas countdown calendar because it’s cheap, easy to make, and gives kids a visual reminder of how many days are left until Christmas. (And if you wanted to, you could also provide a little chocolate for each day) These Christmas chocolate molds would be perfect! (paid link)

PLUS, it’s not expensive, which is perfect if you’re trying to make extra money for Christmas. 

How to Make a DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar

There are a lot of different option for this countdown calendar. Below are the basic instructions and material you’ll need to make it, but I’ve included some options below if you want to make it even more extravagant!

What You Need

(Note – you might have a lot of things you need at home already. You can use any colored ribbon, cardstock, glitter, etc. that you like!). The below contains paid links.

• 25 wooden clothespins
• 1 piece of ribbon (whatever color you’d like)
• 1 medium-sized red foam circle (you can also buy foam sheets and cut into a circle – this would probably be cheaper)
• Red glitter
• Mod Podge
• 1 sheet of red cardstock
• 1 sheet of dark green cardstock
• 1 sheet of light green cardstock
• White sharpie
• Christmas themed foam sticker for center decoration

How To Make the Calendar

This is my favorite thing about this DIY Christmas countdown calendar – it’s so easy to make!

Step 1: Cut your red foam into a circle (large enough to fit all 25 clothes pins)

Step 2: Cover it with Mod Podge and red glitter

Step 3: Cut 25 triangles out of your colored cardstock

Step 4: Using the white sharpie, decorate them and number them from 1 to 25

Step 5: Once your foam circle is dry, pierce a small hole in the top

Step 6: Thread your ribbon through the hole

Step 7: Place the clothespins around the circle

Step 8: Place the Christmas sticker in the middle

More Options for the Countdown Calendar

 – Any color glitter can be used: red, gold, silver, green, blue, etc.

 – This countdown calendar can also be a Hanukkah countdown calendar is you’d like. Change the colors and the number of clothespins for Hanukkah.

 – Any color card paper can be used at the end of the clothespins.

 – You can get a little crazy and paint the clothespins if you’d like. Use this pretty red glitter spray-paint, or any other color you’d like!

More DIY Christmas Stuff!!

In addition to this countdown calendar, you may want to try some of these other DIY Christmas crafts/activities:

• Dollar Tree DIYs for Christmas;
• DIY Snowman Ornament;
• DIY Christmas Gifts that Don’t Look Tacky;
• Letter to Santa Template (FREE)
• Grinch Printable (FREE);
• Christmas Essential Oil Blends (these will make your house smell SO GOOD).

Did you make this Christmas countdown calendar? Leave a comment below and let me know how it came out!

Cheap & Easy DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Materials

• 25 wooden clothespins
• 1 piece of ribbon
• 1 medium-sized red foam circle (you can also buy foam sheets and cut into a circle - this would probably be cheaper)
• Red glitter
• Mod Podge
• 1 sheet of red cardstock
• 1 sheet of dark green cardstock
• 1 sheet of light green cardstock
• White sharpie
• Christmas themed foam sticker for center decoration

Instructions

1. Cut your red foam into a circle (large enough to fit all 25 clothes pins).
2. Cover it with Mod Podge and red glitter.
3. Cut 25 triangles out of your colored cardstock.
4. Using the white sharpie, decorate them and number them from 1 to 25.
5. Once your foam circle is dry, pierce a small hole in the top.
6. Thread your ribbon through the hole.
7. Place the clothespins around the circle.
8. Place the Christmas sticker in the middle.

Notes

1. Any color glitter can be used: red, gold, silver, green, blue, etc.
2. This countdown calendar can also be a Hanukkah countdown calendar is you'd like. Change the colors and the number of clothespins for Hanukkah.
3. Any color card paper can be used at the end of the clothespins.
4. You can get a little crazy and paint the clothespins if you'd like. Use this pretty red glitter spray-paint, or any other color you'd like!