Dive into the joy of holiday crafting with a DIY drawing advent calendar, a creative and engaging way to count down the days to Christmas. Not only does it foster creativity, but it also creates lasting memories and fun for the whole family. Let's explore how to create your own drawing advent calendar, step by step.
An advent calendar is a tradition that keeps children and adults alike eager for Christmas. Though you can buy them, making your own drawing advent calendar adds a personal touch and encourages artistic expression. Plus, it's a fantastic way to teach kids about anticipation and patience.
Choosing Your Calendar Design
The first step is deciding on the design of your drawing advent calendar. Will it be a traditional door-style, with 24 little packets hung on a string? Or perhaps a more modern interpretation, like a desktop calendar with a new drawing to color each day? Maybe you'd prefer a 3D advent house, where each room reveals a new doodle? The possibilities are endless.
Once you've settled on a design, consider the materials you'll need. You might use cardstock for individual pockets, craft paper for a desktop calendar, or boxes for a 3D advent house. Don't forget to include supplies like drawing paper, pencils, markers, and other art supplies for filling your calendar with festive doodles.
Designing Your Advent Doors or Openings
For a doorway-style calendar, you'll need to create 24 individual 'doors'. These can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Some people use stickers or wallpaper samples, while others draw and paint their own designs. If you're drawing, consider using Christmas-themed motifs like snowflakes, gingerbread houses, or stockings filled with goodies.
For a desktop calendar, you might design each day's drawing on a small piece of paper, which can be tucked into a envelopes or pockets. With 3D advent houses, each room can have its own drawing or design, waiting to be discovered as the days tick by.
Preparing Your Art Supplies
Gather an assortment of art supplies to keep your drawing advent calendar engaging and colorful. Pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and paint are all excellent choices. You might also consider including stickers, washi tape, or other decorative accents to add a bit of sparkle and flair to your drawings.
Don't forget to personalize each day's drawing. You might include a special note, a riddle, or a small treat for the child to find. This added element of surprise and discovery is what makes advent calendars so exciting.
Filling Your Drawing Advent Calendar
Now that your calendar is designed and your art supplies are gathered, it's time to fill each day's pocket or envelope with a drawing or design. This is the fun part! Let your creativity flow as you draw and design each day's surprise.
You could draw a new Christmas scene each day, or create a festive pattern that changes slightly day by day. You might draw a series of linked images, where each new drawing builds on the last. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Drawing Christmas Scenes
drew a new Christmas scene each day of their advent calendar. One day, they might draw a cozy winter scene, complete with snowflakes and a crackling fireplace. The next, they might draw a bustling Christmas market, filled with festive treats and twinkling lights. Each scene is unique and tells a story, adding to the magic of the holiday season.
You could also draw a different Christmas character each day. Consider iconic figures like Santa Claus, his reindeer, or Mrs. Claus. Or perhaps draw popular Christmas symbols like gingerbread cookies, candy canes, or Christmas trees. The more varied your drawings, the more excited your family will be to see what each new day brings.
Creating Patterns or Series
Another fun approach is to create a pattern or series that evolves over the course of the calendar. For example, you might start with a simple outline of a Christmas tree on the first day. Each subsequent day, you add another detail - lights, ornaments, a star on top. By the 24th day, you'll have a fully decorated tree.
You could also draw a daily advent wreath, with a new candle added each day. Or perhaps draw a series of wise men, each a step closer to their destination on the 24th day. The possibilities for patterns and series are endless, and they add a sense of continuity and anticipation to your drawing advent calendar.
Hiding or Revealing Your Drawings
The final step in creating your drawing advent calendar is deciding how to hide or reveal your drawings. For door-style calendars, you might use small envelopes or pockets to hold each day's drawing. For desktop calendars, consider using small, opaque envelopes or pockets that can be flipped over to reveal the drawing inside.
With 3D advent houses, you could hide each day's drawing inside a small box or behind a removable shutter. You might also add a small lock or buckle to each door to make it even more exciting to open.
Consider adding a small daily surprise or treat to each day's drawing. This could be a candy cane, a small toy, or a note with a fun fact or riddle. Adding these extra touches will make your drawing advent calendar even more special and memorable.
Creating a drawing advent calendar is a fun and creative way to count down the days to Christmas. It fosters artistic expression and encourages family time, all while building excitement for the holiday season. So gather your art supplies and get started - Christmas is just around the corner!