How to Make A Recycled Paper Tree Advent Calendar

I am forever looking for different ways to use the glossy pages of old Vogue magazines to make into something new. I am so happy to share with you guys my new little creation, an advent calendar with a difference. Me and my little one spent some time last weekend creating and perfecting these little trees. They are easy to make, very inexpensive and so colourful and fun.

Materials
For these little trees I used the soft tree pattern from Little Birds Handmade and adapted it a little.
Glossy good quality magazines
Little pom-poms for the top of the tree
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun
Candy for the middle

Steps to Make Advent Calendar
1. Download pattern and then cut out twenty five little trees from pages of a magazine.
2. Cut out the circles for the bottom but adapt the pattern by adding four tabs onto the bottom to help glue it.
3. Glue together your first little tree using your hot glue gun. Place a line of glue down the side of the piece and then stick the other side of the tree onto the top of it. You will need to repeat this 25 times, of course. I found it a little fiddly at first but it got better and better.
4. When you have the tree forms made, glue a pom-pom onto the top.
5. Cut out numbers from magazines from 1 to 25 and glue them onto the front of the trees.
6. Place the candy inside the trees. Or place little inspirational quotes, parts of the Christmas story, little activities to do, little love letters. You are only limited by your imagination.
7. Take one of the bottoms and place a dob of glue on each of the four tabs you have cut out with it. Place the tree on top of the bottom, fold the tabs upwards and glue them to the outside of the tree. This gives them a really funky little edge. I tried putting the tabs on the outside and this way definitely looked a lot better. You will need to repeat this 25 times too.

Ta-Da! You now have the cutest advent calendar!

Handy Tips..

Cut out all the pieces at the same time and glue the same pieces together at the same time. It will save you time, which is a precious commodity at this time of year.
Cut out magazine pages in mostly reds and greens then some in purples or blue or yellows for a little variety.
Please don’t let little children anywhere near a glue gun! They are dangerous. My little girl searched for all the numbers and cut them out for me. She also counted out the candy and put it in the trees. She loved doing it!

Enjoy!
Mia

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