Monday, November 30, 2009

Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar



I've been wanting to make a tutorial since so many people have asked me specifics about how I made this last year. Well, after getting the Christmas stuff down from the attic this weekend, I decided to take it apart and re-number my calendar so that it would be a countdown rather than just the dates on the rolls.

So, here is your handy dandy tutorial...for making a toilet paper Advent Calendar.

Toilet Paper Advent Calendar

Materials:

25 toilet paper rolls
25 toilet paper sized pieces of coordinating scrapbook paper
several rolls of coordinating ribbon or tulle
stickers that number 1-24, plus an additional "Christmas Day" sticker (depending on if you are counting down or simply putting the dates)
Decorative accents (rub-ons, stickers, etc.)

Instructions:
1. Cut out papers to fit around toilet paper rolls so that they cover the entire roll. Tape the top piece.


Glue the wrong side of the paper.


And tape the end to secure it.


2. Cut pieces of ribbon or tulle about 6 inches if you want it to stick out and sort of "poof" at the edges (for tulle).

3. Tie two pieces together. Feed through one toilet paper roll, making sure the tied part is staying on the outside. Feed the other end through another toilet paper roll and tie the loose ends as tight as you can. If you fail to tie them tight enough you will be able to see spaces in between toilet paper rolls. Continue this until you have completed.





Make sure you are putting them in the order you would like. Last year I used the calendar starting with 1 and going up to 25. This year I decided I would prefer to start with 24 and end on Christmas Day (0), to make it more like a countdown.

4. To hang the Advent Calendar, I tied a piece of ribbon and fed it through the very top toilet paper roll so that the knot wasn't showing and hung it from a wreath hanger that is in our dining room.



It's just a fun and cute way to remember where we are (in relation to Christmas and how far away it is) and to let the kids feel involved in getting them out each day. It also serves to keep us consistent. My family goes through scriptures of Jesus' birth as well as prophecies that point to Christ. We ask questions to focus our day on Christ and sometimes we have an activity that reinforces what we have learned. We sing Christmas songs and pray as a family.

If you would like a very simple Advent devotional, here is the link to download ours.

Duty Chronicles Advent Devotional


Show some link love if you make this craft or use our devotional. Thanks!

19 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tutorial! I'll post my pictures when I'm done with mine!

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  2. Once again, I'm inspired! Thanks for all the great Christmas ideas, Kendra!

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  3. Excellent craft idea using recyclable items and creative use of toilet paper rolls! Keep the suggestions and projects coming!

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  4. I just loved yours so much last year I had to make one! I finished it up this weekend...

    http://hapeshappenings.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-count-down-calendar.html

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  5. Finally got around to posting our finished product!

    http://thewatterzes.blogspot.com/2009/12/in-nutshell.html

    It's at the end of the post. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. Oh Kendra- this is wonderful! One of my favorite ideas yet! I am a new follower and made a halloween version of your calendar. THANKS!

    http://fey-next2heaven.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-advent.html

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  7. what do you put inside yours?

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  8. Clarissa, I just added a link to our Advent Devotional. I am also getting ready to post a list of possible Advent activities to do with your kids next week. Stay tuned!

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  9. That is great!!! I made one of matchoboxes this year ;)

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  10. What a great idea! I love how you recycled things you already had.

    I would love it if you would share this at my new 12 Days of Christmas in July linky party. You can link up here:

    http://theprudentpantryblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/twelve-days-of-christmas-in-july-linky.html

    I can’t wait to get organized for a peaceful and frugal holiday season!

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  11. I wanted you to know that I'm featuring your advent calendar on Nov. 30 on http://simpleesue.com It's so cute. Great idea. Thank you.

    We may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.

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  12. This is such a great idea! Today I seem to be finding all the ordinary things turned into extraordinatry crafts! (Just found a coffee filter wreath that is gorgeous!)

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  13. Thank you! This has been floating around Pintrest without a real link, just a pic! Now my search has ended. <3 :-D

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing this! We've included it in our TP Christmas Craft Roundup!
    http://youpinspireme.blogspot.ca/2012/12/25-toilet-paper-roll-christmas-crafts.html#

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  15. May I link back to your blog on our upcoming blog: How to Keep Christ in Christmas?
    www.thejudgmentalchristian.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Of course Brandie! No problem!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you very much for your post.Its pretty interesting. I appreciate your blogs and look forward for your next blog.
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    ReplyDelete
  18. Mary Holifield9:10 PM

    Wow found this on pintrest, I just love it. I plan on doing this as a project for my Children at my Church.

    ReplyDelete

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