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Craft Your Own Charming Advent Calendar From Toilet Paper Rolls This Season

Stanley McGlynn III

The season of Advent, a special time observed by many Christian groups, is all about waiting and getting ready. It’s a period of looking forward to the celebration of Jesus's birth at Christmas, and also, for some, thinking about Christ's return. In Christianity, Advent means the four weeks right before Christmas, typically starting on the Sunday closest to November 30th and wrapping up on December 24th. The true meaning of Advent is a time for prayer and fasting, a way to spiritually prepare for the coming, or arrival, of the Lord, Jesus Christ. This term, "Advent," comes from the Latin word "adventus," which simply means "coming" or "arrival," giving us that feeling of looking forward to something wonderful. It's about an event happening, or a person arriving, and in this case, it's a very special arrival indeed. So, basically, it's a time for getting our hearts ready for Christ's birth, even while the wider world often jumps straight into Christmas fun.

As the days get shorter in many parts of the world, we step into a season of waiting and getting ready, a liturgical season known as Advent, where we eagerly await the birth of Jesus. It is also, you know, the very first part of the church year for many. This year, why not make that waiting even more special and personal? We're talking about a wonderful, hands-on project that brings a little bit of joy and anticipation to each day leading up to the big holiday.

Making an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls is, in fact, a creative way to count down to Christmas, giving a fresh purpose to items you might otherwise just toss away. It’s a project that is pretty easy to do, involves the whole family, and brings a unique, homemade touch to your holiday decorations. You'll find it's a truly rewarding activity that helps everyone remember the meaning of the season, and honestly, it looks pretty neat too.

Table of Contents

Why Make an Advent Calendar from Toilet Paper Rolls?

Choosing to make an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls is a choice that makes a lot of sense for many reasons. It's not just about saving money, though that's a nice perk. It’s about making something with your own hands, something that holds a story and a feeling, rather than just buying something off a shelf. You know, there’s a real satisfaction that comes from creating something special like this.

A Nod to Tradition: What Advent Really Means

Before we get too deep into the crafting, let's just remember what Advent is all about. As I was saying, Advent is a period of spiritual preparation, where many Christians get themselves ready for the coming, or birth, of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It’s a time of looking forward, a sense of coming or arrival, reflecting a feeling of anticipation. This period typically lasts for four Sundays, starting four Sundays before Christmas and ending on December 24th. So, making an advent calendar, especially one you craft yourself, helps to truly mark this special time of waiting and getting ready, day by day. It’s a way to connect with that older tradition in a really tangible way, which is something quite nice.

Eco-Conscious Crafting for the Holidays

One of the biggest wins when you make an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls is how good it feels to use things again. Instead of just tossing those cardboard tubes, you're giving them a new, festive purpose. This kind of crafting means less waste, which is a big deal for our planet. It’s a small step, sure, but every little bit helps when we think about being kind to the environment, and honestly, it’s a smart way to think about holiday preparations.

Budget-Friendly Fun for Everyone

Let's be honest, the holiday season can get pretty expensive. Store-bought advent calendars, especially those with little toys or special treats, can add up fast. But when you create an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls, your main "materials" are already right there in your home, just waiting to be used. You'll only need to spend a little bit on decorations or the small surprises you put inside. This means you get a lovely, personalized countdown without breaking the bank, which is, you know, a pretty good feeling.

Getting Started: What You'll Need

Getting ready for this project is part of the fun. You'll want to gather everything before you start, so you don't have to stop halfway through. It's a pretty straightforward list, and most of these things you might already have tucked away in your craft box or recycling bin. So, naturally, let’s go over what you’ll need to make your very own advent calendar from toilet paper rolls.

Gathering Your Supplies

  • Toilet Paper Rolls: You'll need 24 of these, one for each day from December 1st to Christmas Eve. Start saving them now, or ask friends and family to help you collect them. They are, after all, the star of this show.

  • Cardboard or Poster Board: A sturdy piece of cardboard, perhaps from an old box, or a large sheet of poster board will serve as the back for your calendar. This gives it structure, you see.

  • Scissors or Craft Knife: For cutting the cardboard and any paper you use. Be careful with the craft knife, as a matter of fact.

  • Glue: A strong craft glue or hot glue gun works best to keep everything together. If using a hot glue gun, adult supervision is, quite frankly, a good idea.

  • Decorative Paper: Wrapping paper scraps, construction paper, scrapbook paper, or even painted paper will work to cover your rolls and make them look festive. You could use different patterns, or just one, whatever you like.

  • Markers, Paint, or Stickers: For numbering the days and adding decorations. Get creative here; this is where your calendar gets its personality.

  • Ribbon or String: If you want to hang your calendar, or add decorative bows. This just adds a little something extra, you know.

  • Small Treats or Activities: These are for filling each roll. We'll talk more about ideas for these in a bit.

Little Treasures for Each Day

The fun part of an advent calendar is the daily surprise. When you make an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls, you get to choose exactly what goes inside, making it truly special for the person who opens it. Think beyond just candy; there are so many fun things you can tuck into those little tubes. So, for example, consider these ideas:

  • Small Toys: Mini figures, tiny cars, toy animals, or building block pieces. These are always a hit, especially for kids.

  • Craft Supplies: A new crayon, a small sticker sheet, a bit of glitter, or a few beads. This can inspire more creativity, which is pretty cool.

  • Notes with Activities: Instead of a physical item, write down a holiday activity for the day. Things like "Bake cookies," "Watch a Christmas movie," "Read a holiday story," or "Go look at Christmas lights." This is, honestly, a very charming idea.

  • Puzzles or Riddles: A small piece of a larger puzzle, or a daily riddle to solve. It keeps things interesting, doesn't it?

  • Hair Accessories: Small clips, hair ties, or bows. These are often small enough to fit, and very practical.

  • Stickers or Temporary Tattoos: Always a popular choice with the younger crowd, and so easy to find.

  • Chocolate or Small Candies: The classic choice, of course. Just make sure they fit inside the roll!

  • Coupons for Privileges: "Extra 15 minutes of screen time," "Choose dinner tonight," or "Stay up 10 minutes late." These are, in a way, priceless.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building Your Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar

Now for the hands-on part! Building your advent calendar from toilet paper rolls is a process that is quite enjoyable, and it’s something you can do at your own pace. There’s no rush, just enjoy the creative flow. We’ll go through it step by step, making sure you have all the pointers you need to make a really nice calendar. You know, it’s all about taking it one bit at a time.

Preparing Your Rolls

  1. Clean and Dry: First things first, make sure all your toilet paper rolls are clean and completely dry. This is pretty obvious, but worth saying.

  2. Cut if Needed: If you want smaller compartments, you can cut some rolls in half. This also helps if you have more things you want to put in, but need to make them fit. You might want to experiment with different heights, too.

  3. Cover Them Up: This is where the decorating starts. Take your decorative paper and cut it into rectangles big enough to wrap around each roll. Secure the paper with glue. You could also paint the rolls if you prefer, or even wrap them in fabric scraps. This step really starts to make them look less like, well, toilet paper rolls, and more like something special. It’s quite transformative, actually.

  4. Close One End: For each roll, you'll need to close one end to hold the treat inside. You can do this by flattening one end of the roll and folding the edges in, like you would close a gift box. Secure with a bit of glue or tape. Alternatively, you could cut a small circle of cardboard or paper and glue it over one end. This makes a little pocket for your surprise.

Designing Your Display

How you arrange your toilet paper rolls is totally up to you! You can make a traditional rectangular grid, or something more playful. This is where your calendar really takes shape, so think about what kind of look you’re going for. You know, there are so many possibilities here.

  • The Base: Get your sturdy cardboard or poster board. This will be the back of your calendar. Think about how big you want it to be, and if you want to add a border or frame to it. You could even cover this base with paper or paint it too, just to make it look nice.

  • Arrangement: Lay out your 24 covered rolls on the base to figure out your design. Common layouts include:

    • Grid: A simple 4x6 or 3x8 grid. This is very neat and orderly.

    • Christmas Tree Shape: Arrange them in the shape of a tree, with more rolls at the bottom and fewer at the top. This is a very festive option, and pretty popular.

    • House or Village: Cut out shapes from cardboard to make a little house or village outline, then glue the rolls within the "rooms" or "buildings." This adds a lot of character, you know.

    • Random Cluster: Just glue them together in a fun, organic cluster. This can look quite artistic, to be honest.

  • Secure the Rolls: Once you're happy with your layout, use your strong craft glue or hot glue gun to attach each roll to the base and to each other where they touch. Hold them in place for a moment until the glue sets. This is a pretty important step to make sure your calendar holds together.

Adding the Magic: Numbering and Filling

This is the part where your advent calendar from toilet paper rolls truly comes alive! The numbering helps build the excitement, and the little surprises make each day special. So, in fact, let’s get these final touches done.

  1. Number the Days: Using markers, paint, or stickers, put the numbers 1 through 24 on the open end of each roll. Make sure the numbers are clear and easy to see. You could even use different colors for each number, or decorate around them. This is where the countdown really begins, right?

  2. Fill with Surprises: Before you close the second end, carefully place your chosen treats or activity notes inside each numbered roll. Make sure the item fits without tearing the paper or forcing the roll out of shape. This is the fun bit, putting in all those little treasures.

  3. Close the Second End: Once filled, close the open end of each roll using the same method as before (folding the edges in or gluing a circle of paper over it). You want to make sure the surprise stays put until it's time to open it. You could even use a bit of ribbon or a sticker to keep it closed, which adds a nice touch.

Personal Touches and Variations

Making your advent calendar from toilet paper rolls truly yours means adding your own flair. This is where your creativity can really shine. You know, there’s no right or wrong way to do this, just what feels good to you and your family.

  • Add a Hanger: If you want to hang your calendar, glue a sturdy ribbon or string loop to the top of the cardboard base. Make sure it's well secured, especially if your calendar is heavy. This allows it to be displayed prominently, which is pretty nice.

  • Decorate the Base: Don't forget the background! You can paint it, glue on glitter, add cotton "snow," or even attach small festive cutouts. This helps tie the whole look together, and really makes it pop.

  • Theme It: You could pick a specific theme for your calendar, like a forest, a gingerbread house, or a winter wonderland. Use colors and decorations that match your theme. This makes it feel very cohesive, and like, a really thought-out piece.

  • Family Photos: Print tiny photos of family members and put one in each roll, or use them as part of the decoration. This makes it incredibly personal, and quite charming.

  • Re-use for Next Year: If you're careful when opening the rolls, you might be able to flatten them out and save them for next year. This is a really sustainable approach, and pretty clever, too.

Tips for a Smooth Crafting Experience

To make sure your project of creating an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls goes as smoothly as possible, a few pointers can really help. It’s about making the process enjoyable, not stressful. So, just a little bit of planning and some common sense can go a long way, you know.

Involving the Whole Family

This project is perfect for family bonding. Get everyone involved, from collecting the rolls to decorating and filling. Younger children can help with painting or gluing paper, while older kids can take on numbering or even coming up with ideas for the daily surprises. When everyone contributes, the calendar becomes a true family creation, and that’s a pretty special feeling. It’s a wonderful way to spend time together, honestly.

Safety First with Little Helpers

If you have little ones helping, always keep safety in mind. When using scissors or a craft knife, make sure an adult does the cutting. If you're using a hot glue gun, an adult should handle it, or at least supervise very closely. Make sure any small items you put inside the rolls are safe for the age of the child who will be opening them, so they don’t pose a choking risk. You know, a little bit of caution goes a long way here.

Making it Last Year After Year

To make your advent calendar from toilet paper rolls a tradition, think about how to make it sturdy. Use good quality glue, and store it carefully after the holidays. If you've decorated the rolls in a way that allows them to be gently opened and then re-closed, you can simply refill them next year. This means less work for future holidays and a beloved decoration that comes out every December. It’s a pretty smart way to do things, if you ask me.

Frequently Asked Questions About Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendars

People often have questions when they're thinking about making something like this. Here are some common things people wonder about when it comes to an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls.

What can you put in an advent calendar besides candy?
You can put so many things in there! Think small toys like tiny cars or building blocks, little craft supplies like stickers or beads, or even notes suggesting a fun holiday activity for the day. Some folks include small hair accessories or erasers. It's about what brings joy to the person opening it, you know.

How many toilet paper rolls do I need for an advent calendar?
You will need 24 toilet paper rolls for a standard advent calendar that counts down from December 1st to December 24th. It's a good idea to collect a few extra, just in case some get squashed or you want to try a different design. So, basically, 24 is the number you're aiming for.

Is it easy to make a DIY advent calendar?
Making an advent calendar from toilet paper rolls is, in fact, quite easy! It's a project that doesn

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