Make the Christmas season extra special with a countdown that puts the focus on the Nativity. This DIY Advent calendar idea just needs your creative touch to bring it to life. Add some little gifts or surprises to the Advent calendar box and your family will have a Nativity Advent countdown they'll treasure.
Cut an 8"x8" square from a DIY Natural Canvas Drawstring Bag. I had one leftover from a previous project but you can use regular by-the-yard canvas if needed.
Spray the cut canvas with water and set aside.
Scribble onto a thick plastic bag with markers. Create a vertical ombre of colors or splotches of colors here and there to create different effects.
While the canvas is still wet, place the plastic marker side down onto the top of the canvas. Use your fingers to spread the color around. The more you rub the plastic onto the canvas, the more the colors will blend together. Once you are happy with the blend, blot excess water off the canvas with a paper towel and let the canvas dry.
Once the canvas is dry, use a Nativity Stencil to trace the nativity scene onto the canvas using a Metallic Sharpie® Marker. Fill in the traced scene with the marker. This will help create a base for the gold glitter in the next step so the background won't show through the glitter.
Fill in the Nativity scene with a glitter glue pen and allow to dry.
Use the metallic Sharpie® marker to color in two sides of the DIY Nativity Advent Countdown. Again, this will help create a base for the gold glitter in the next few steps.
Paint the remaining sides and inside frame of the DIY Nativity Advent Countdown using a flat-bristled paintbrush and acrylic paint. Allow time for the paint to dry.
Apply a layer of Mod Podge® to the metallic sides and shake on gold glitter to coat. Allow time to dry.
Use a hot glue gun to adhere DIY Natural Birch Wood Mini Discs to each of the advent countdowns drawers. Paint and glitter one of the wood discs. Allow time for the paint and glitter to dry.
Adhere Silver Glitter Number Stickers to each of the wood discs. We used two packs of these number stickers to fill in numbers 1-24.
Use hot glue to adhere the Nativity canvas to the middle of the advent countdown. Glue a Glitter Star to the top of the stable.
Fill the drawers on each day of the countdown with candy, little gifts, Bible verses or ideas for random acts of kindness. Your Nativity Advent Calendar is now ready to enjoy for the Christmas season.
Be sure to check out all of the other Heaven & Nature Sing Christmas Decor Ideas here.