Advent Calendar
I think advent calendars are a fun tradition in passing the days until Christmas. There are so many different varieties available for purchase year after year, but I thought it would be nice to have one that lasts and can be used again and again. This one fits that bill.
First, you need to cut two pieces of plywood into the main shape in fig.A. You can use my example as a pattern and increase the size until it's what you want (mine measures 16"/42cm from top to bottom) or just draw your own making sure that each half is a mirror image of the other.
Next, drill six holes along each edge of the long edges as indicated in fig.A above.
You'll need to find and mark the center point of your tree, both from top to bottom and from side to side. From one piece you will cut from the top to that center point and from the other piece you'll cut from the bottom, as in fig.B and C. The amount you cut out is the width of the wood (1/4"/ 7cm) plus just a little, tiny bit more for ease.
Sand all your pieces so that the edges are smooth. Make sure they slip over each other easily and stand straight when assembled. Then separate the two pieces and paint them however you want. In fig.A above I indicated how you can paint the bottom two points of the star.
When the paint is dry, glue some felt scraps to the bottom of the stand to protect your furniture.
Print out this little box pattern and cut out twenty-four from your construction paper.
Different colors or all the same, it's up to you! Use a paper punch to create holes where indicated. Number each box 1-24 with a felt tip marker. Place a piece of candy, or other small treat, inside each one and fold so that the box is closed.
Run a piece of ribbon through a hole in the tree and also through the hole in the top of one of your treat boxes and tie it in a bow, attaching your present to the tree. Repeat for all the remaining treat boxes. As the treats are removed you can tie the ribbon back into a bow and the tree can remain an attractive decoration. When the season is over you can pull the two halves of the tree apart and store it flat to save space. Now let the countdown begin!