Craft: How to Make an Advent Village
Make the run-up to Christmas extra special with this unique Advent village
As the big day approaches, what could be sweeter than opening up a little treat-filled Advent house each morning? Follow this step-by-step guide to create a unique village that will keep the little ones – and not-so-little ones – entertained during the countdown to Christmas.
This Advent village is laced with metallic gold accents to add that all-important Christmas sparkle. But you can follow this step-by-step guide then add your own personal touch, decorating the houses with festive wrapping paper, stickers, decorative tape – whatever suits your own Christmas theme.
You will need
Scalpel
13 sheets of A4 white card 90gsm
Cutting mat
Metal ruler
Metal spoon
Metallic paper in gold, copper and bronze
Spray adhesive
Metallic spray
Square and circle stickers in black and/or gold
Scissors
Number stickers
Double-sided sticky tape
Sweets or small gifts to place inside the houses
Tissue paper
Mini fir trees, glitter, fake snow and other winter-scene decorations of your choice
Scalpel
13 sheets of A4 white card 90gsm
Cutting mat
Metal ruler
Metal spoon
Metallic paper in gold, copper and bronze
Spray adhesive
Metallic spray
Square and circle stickers in black and/or gold
Scissors
Number stickers
Double-sided sticky tape
Sweets or small gifts to place inside the houses
Tissue paper
Mini fir trees, glitter, fake snow and other winter-scene decorations of your choice
1 To make the houses, draw out templates for the four different styles of house (you will find images at the end of this feature to use as a guide from which to make your own templates). You will need to make a total of 24 houses, but how many you make of each shape is up to you.
2 Draw out each of the different house shapes onto paper. Using a scalpel, cut along the bold lines. These are now your templates. Outline the template carefully onto the card, or prick points into the card to mark out the template lines, then cut out using a scalpel and metal ruler. Remember to cut the slit for the door tab to fit into.
3 Take each cut-out card house and carefully score along the fold lines. I run the end of a spoon along the edge of a metal ruler to do this!
4 Press along each fold
for a neat, crisp edge. Again, the back of a spoon can be very effective here.
for a neat, crisp edge. Again, the back of a spoon can be very effective here.
5 You are now ready to decorate the inside of your box. Be as creative as you like, with felt pens, paint or patterned paper cut to size and stuck on with spray adhesive for a smooth finish. A variety of finishes will add interest to village.
6 For a fast and clean finish, you could use a metallic spray. In a well-ventilated area, turn the card right-side down onto a piece of scrap paper. Evenly spray in your chosen metallic colour (I have used a copper spray). Allow to dry. Press along the fold lines once more and turn over.
7 Now it’s time to add the finishing details to the outside of your house. Using stickers, apply a small number of rows of black squares, spots or half moons to one or two sides to suggest windows.
Using the template as a guide, cut a variety of metallic papers to size to decorate the sides of your houses. For the square (40x40mm) and rectangular (40x80mm) sides you can measure them directly onto the metallic papers. Cut out with scissors and stick onto your houses using a spray adhesive. If the shape covers more than one side, score the fold line on the metallic paper before sticking down. Smooth these into position and allow to dry.
Finally stick the all important Advent number onto the face of the box.
Using the template as a guide, cut a variety of metallic papers to size to decorate the sides of your houses. For the square (40x40mm) and rectangular (40x80mm) sides you can measure them directly onto the metallic papers. Cut out with scissors and stick onto your houses using a spray adhesive. If the shape covers more than one side, score the fold line on the metallic paper before sticking down. Smooth these into position and allow to dry.
Finally stick the all important Advent number onto the face of the box.
8 It’s time to put the house together. Stick double-sided tape along the tabs, and form the house into shape.
9 Working your way around the house, press the sticky tabs to the corresponding box sides. Using the end of your spoon you can press these down on the inside of the house to secure.
10 With your house complete, you can now have fun hiding a treat inside…
The treats could be sweets, marshmallows, or something small like a precious shell, a handwritten joke, loom bands, a small toy or keying, a chocolate coin… the possibilities are endless! Individually wrap the treats in tissue paper for an extra-special touch.
If your gifts are too large, why not place a small sweet inside that can be traded in for a gift each day? Or you can enlarge the templates using a photocopier to vary the size of the houses.
11 Once you have completed all 24 boxes, have fun arranging the Advent village in a festive scene. Mini fir trees dotted among the houses will add a seasonal charm. Finish off with a light sprinkling of glitter or fake snow.
12 Open the first door on 1 December, and let the countdown begin!
Please use this image as a guide to make your own template.
Please use this image as a guide to make your own template.
Please use this image as a guide to make your own template.
Please use this image as a guide to make your own template.
Please use this image as a guide to make your own template.
TELL US…
Have you made an Advent calendar this year? Share your photos in the Comments below
See more weekend craft ideas
Have you made an Advent calendar this year? Share your photos in the Comments below
See more weekend craft ideas