Britt Raborn

Hello Decembert! You know what that means? Time to open your 1st advent calendar package! This is going to be a new tradition in our home and I could not be more excited! Having a toddler just makes the holiday that much more special for us. Today, I am sharing an easy DIY farm house style Advent Calendar! When thinking of a design I wanted it to be in the shape of a tree, something that went well with out furniture and decor, and could last for years to come. The chicken wire really adds that country cottage feel.

What You Will Need:
25 White Sack Bags or Goodie Bags
25 Close Pins (the mini ones do better)
Bow or star (my bow is from Hobby Lobby)
White Spray Paint
Chicken Wire
Three 1″x4″x4′ pieces of wood
Staple Gun
Skill Saw
Right Angle
1/4″ Drill Bit and Drill
1/4″x1 1/4″ Wooden Pegs with Wood Glue (or nails, or screws if you decide to use them instead)

Directions:
1. Cut each 1″x4″x4′ board to its respective length as shown above (two at 44.5″ and one at 22 5/8″, although cutting at an even 45″ and 23″ would be within the margin of error and still amount to the same final product).
– Side note, you can adjust the width and height of your tree as well as the corresponding angles, you may just have to use some trigonometry!
2. On the two 44.5″ pieces, using one corner as the pivot point with the right angle mark a line at 15 degrees and cut using the skill saw. One the same 2 pieces, mark a 60 degree angle line and cut using the same side of the wood for the pivot point and so each piece is a mirror image of the other as shown above.
3. On the 22 5/8″ piece, use the same pivot point on each side, mark a line at 75 degrees, and cut so that the piece looks like a trapezoid as shown above.
4. The last cut can be done on the same 1″x4″x4′ board that the 22 5/8″ side was taken from and simply cut at a right angle at 5 1/2″.
5. Spray paint the top surface and all sides of each piece and allow to dry.
6. Using the 1/4″ drill, drill pilot holes for pegs to be placed at each junction between two pieces. Ideally the pegs should be placed horizontal to the ground for maximal support against gravity, except the trunk pegs will have to be vertical to the ground obviously. Use at least 2 pegs at each junction (8 total) in order to decrease any rotational strain. (Hint, when drilling the pilot holes, place a peg in the first hole and use a pencil to mark the end of the peg, align the board with the peg next to the corresponding other board for that junction, mark the exact location the peg should go on the corresponding board by pushing the two boards together thus leaving a mark, and finally double check the trajectory of the peg and then drill the second hole) (We chose this method but nails or screws can certainly be used. Just be careful not to split the wood).
7. Put wood glue into each hole and place the pegs.
8. Align each junction and press them together (wait about 30 min to 1 hour for the glue to dry)
9. Flip the tree over, cut approximately 30″ of chicken wire and use a staple gun to attach it to the back of the tree. Cut any excess chicken wire off after stapling.
9. Write down your scriptures and add your trinkets for each day in your sack.
10. Clip on sacks with pins, and you are done!

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Ideas for each day by Eloise & Me! So thankful that this lady shared her inspiration for scripture and trinkets each day! This inspiration is especially great for those with toddlers! Thanks Blakely! 

Dec.1– Luke 1:26-27 ( small angel wings, paper wings, I made my daughter gold paper wings for her doll)
Dec. 2 – Matthew 1:18 (ring, or ring pop) talking about engaged, Joseph & Mary.
Dec. 3– Luke 1:46-53 { these are  short verses} Mary’s song (music box, any musical instrument, target dollar spot has the cutest little wooden bells right now, sheet music, iTunes card etc)
Dec. 4– Matthew 1:20- (white angel, anything white, or little trinkets representing dreams)
Dec.5– Matthew 1:21 (cross, or anything with a world/globe representing the SAVIOR of the world)
Dec.6– Matthew 1:22-23 (bridge or string, representing Jesse bridging the gap between heaven and earth.)
Dec.7– Luke 2:4 ( house of David- line of lineage
Dec.8– Luke 2:5 (horse, pony, donkey)
Dec.9– micah 5:2 (Lion toy- representing Judah or purple stickers, jewels etc. Representing royalty)
Dec.10– Luke 2:6-7 (baby, anything representing baby Jesus)
Dec.11– Luke 2:7 ( soft cloth, blanket, scarf, cute Kleenex, etc. “Wrap/swaddling”)
Dec.12– Isaiah 9:6 (peace sign anything, prince of peace)
Dec.13– Luke 2:8-11 (sheep, finger puppet, shepherds hook candy cane)
Dec.14– Luke 2:12 ( hay or straw, thin licorice could be straw)
Dec.15– Luke 2:13-14 (bag of small gold rings, halos- the small oranges, representing multitude of angels)
Dec.16– Luke 2:15-18 (bells, or anything representing spreading the word)
Dec.17-psalm 95:6 ( pretzels for arms folded or pretty rocks/sand play dough for kneeling on the ground in prayer)
Dec.18-Luke 2:19-20 , 33-35 (anything with a heart, heart candy, ornament, representing Mary’s heart/emotions)
Dec.19– Luke 2:21 (the name Jesus,)
Dec.20– Luke 2:22-24 (feathers, doves, dove chocolate, anything bird related)
Dec.21– Luke 2:25-32 (mr. Potatoe head, eyes, glasses, small toy kaliedescope anything representing  revelation of Jesus as Christ the savior to Simeon and all the people )
Dec.22– Matthew 2:1( little note to child rolled up like a scroll, small book, representing the wisdom of the magi)
Dec.23– Matthew 2:1-2 crown, necklace, representing Jesus being the king of all kings
Dec.24– Matthew 2:9-10 (star- anything star to represent following the star. Glow in the dark ceiling stars)
Dec.25– Matthew 2:11 ( three small boxes or bags representing the three gifts of the magi- gold, etc. )