DIY advent calendar: how to create your own reusable eco-friendly advent calendar

By Jenny Wood

How to make your own advent calendar

November 28, 2022

This simple DIY advent calendar from gorgeous new book The Art of Giving Naturally by Angela Maynard (£16.99, Hardie Grant) has been designed to be used over and over again, filled with tiny treats to suit the recipient, so that it can become part of your annual Christmas ritual. Not only does it make for a unique festive addition to your home, it’s also more sustainable than buying a disposable advent calendar. Here’s how to make it in five simple steps…

1. Make the drawstring pouches

Make 24 little drawstring pouches by sewing rectangles of organic cotton fabric and securing with string; or buy ready-made cotton or muslin bags online – try the Organic Cotton Reusable Tea Bags, 49p each, andkeep.com.

2. Prepare the string

Measure out 150cm of brown string and tie a brass curtain ring to either end, with secure, neat knots, so that you can hang your DIY advent calendar from the mantlepiece or on the wall.

3. Add pegs

Clip 24 mini wooden craft pegs (available at amazon.co.uk and theworks.co.uk) to the string at regular intervals.

4. Add treats

Fill the pouches with a selection of treats. Write the numbers 1 to 24 on 24 mini gift tags (these could be homemade with card and string) and tie one tag around the neck of each pouch.

5. Clip on the pouches

Peg the filled pouches to the string, either from left to right following the numbers 1–24 or mixing up the numbers, so that recipients have to search for that day’s pouch. Hang from your mantlepiece and admire!

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About The Art of Gifting Naturally

The below links are affiliate links, which means we will earn a small commission if you make a purchase

The Art of Gifting Naturally (Hardie Grant, £16.99) is the second book from Angela Maynard, creative director of Botany, a design studio and consultancy in east London. Her first, Modern Dried Flowers (White Lion Publishing, £16.99), updated the practise of drying flowers, which had become dated and old-fashioned, into something contemporary and cool, perfect for those looking to make more conscious and sustainable choices. The Art of Gifting Naturally is a unique and contemporary guide to the joy of making gifts by hand. Inspired by the seasons, Angela showcases more than 25 inspiring projects in the book, from the above DIY advent calendar to skincare and fragrance and natural dyeing, all of which are easy to make and perfect to gift to friends and family.

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