So I supposed I’m a little spoiled when it comes to being published. This matchbox Advent calendar is the first DIY craft project I ever sent to a magazine. And it was also the first one ever published! Don’t be discouraged if you’re still trying to get published… I’ve had a LOT since then that were rejected. Just keep trying!
NOTE: This was first published WAY back in 2008 so some of the photos are extremely poor quality. I’ve learned a lot since then.
This Advent calendar was made with 25 little matchboxes that I decorated and slipped the Advent reading for that day inside.
Here’s Day 1. (Guess whose first Christmas that is? Yep, me!)
This post contains affiliate links. You won’t pay any more when you use these but I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make after clicking on them and I greatly appreciate it. Thanks for helping support my little blog!!!
Sign up for my FREE 12 Days of Christmas Crafts email series!!!
Supplies for Matchbox Advent Calendar
- 25 small matchboxes, empty
- paint (I used Avocado Green and Red Iron Oxide.)
-
family photos or other vintage photos or Christmas illustrations (copies!)
-
LOTS of scraps of paper, tiny trims, & bingo numbers
- decoupage glue, matte
-
ink pads
- swirl rubber stamp
See the paper with the Scripture readings for the day inside?
How to Make a Matchbox Advent Calendar
I made these several years ago and didn’t take step by step photos so I’ll just explain how I made them.
First, paint half the boxes red and half green. They’ll need at least 2 coats. Let dry in between coats. Paint inside and out. Find bingo numbers to coincide with the days of Advent. I didn’t have bingo numbers for some of the days so I cut the squares out of the old bingo cards, too. Lay out boxes, alternating between red and green. For now, just lay the numbers on the boxes. Don’t glue them down yet.
I love looking at these to see how the kids have changed so much over just a few years!
Cut rectangles of scrapbook papers, vintage wrapping papers, or music to fit inside the boxes. Choose your images. Digitally edit if needed (crop, or change to black and white or sepia tones). Size photos to fit the boxes and print.
Collect all your paper scraps and trims. Tear some of the papers and use the patterned scissors for others. Play with these and the images until you’re happy with how they look. Stamp swirls on some of the papers and photos. Ink some of the edges. Glue everything down. I also covered the entire box with decoupage glue before adding the dimensional pieces.
Punch a small hole in the top of each. Thread a ribbon, string, chenille stem, or ornament hook through each. Print Scripture verses, cut, roll up, and put one inside each box. We displayed ours on an evergreen garland on our staircase. Beginning December 1 open one box each day and read the Scripture verse inside.
Here are some photos from the magazine:
Scriptures for Advent Calendar
I’m working on a Scripture list that you’ll be able to print, cut out, and insert into your matchboxes but if I don’t get it finished in time for Advent here are a few places to get a list:
- Advent Calendar Scriptures — Printable
- Not Consumed has a printable Advent reading plan.
- Daily Advent reading plan
This is a part of our 12 Days of Vintage, Upcycled, Recycled, and Repurposed Christmas series.
I love bingo cards and wooden numbers. Wouldn’t these make a great Advent calendar?
So, what did we do with all the matches? We stuffed them all in one large matchbox and didn’t have to buy matches for a LONG time!
More Christmas Crafts & DIY Projects
If you like this matchbox Advent calendar, check out these DIY projects, too:
- Candy Cane Christmas Gift Tags
- Wreath Christmas Gift Tags
- Vintage Silver Coaster Christmas Ornaments
- Homemade Vanilla
- Christmas Necklaces with Personalized Gift Box Inserts
- Mixed Media Christmas Ornament Tutorial
- Homemade Vanilla Sugar
- Christmas Ticket Banner
- Christmas Playing Card Banner
- Vintage Gameboard Christmas Card Album
- ALL my Christmas projects in one place…
Leave a comment and let me know how you do your Advent calendar.
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | YouTube
DIY Matchbox Advent Calendar was first published on December 6, 2008. Republished Jul 18, 2017, & July 22, 2020.
Linda says
Such a fun project!
nancy says
Matchbook Advents. How adorable is that!!!! So impressed with your skills and craftiness!!!
Angela Current says
I’m definitely making these! So sweet and nostalgic looking! Fun to have old family photos on display. Thanks for the idea!
Kathy A says
Love this idea. Would love to use some of those old family photos constructively! It would be a good thing for me to start collecting things–scraps of paper and Christmas cards, yarn pieces, jingle bells etc. to have a collection to make one NEXT year. My church bazaar is next Sat. and I am already KRAZY!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Oh this is soooo cute! I think this is my favorite advent calendar ever! Congratulations on getting this publish that’s awesome and well deserved.
Rebecca Payne says
How cute.