How to Use and Decorate Your Christmas Advent Calendars

Christmas advent calendar hanging on a garland on mantle

When I first designed this Christmas Advent Calendar a while back, Shane and I had just welcomed our first baby. As soon as she was born I quickly began dreaming of the family traditions we would create together. Even though she was just a baby, I knew that doing something at Christmas time with intention and teaching our kids the story of Jesus was something I wanted to bring into our home.

A friend of mine had suggested I illustrate an advent calendar as a cute countdown to Christmas day. I loved the idea and knew I wanted to make it more than just a little countdown--something with intention and meaning as we flipped a new number each day. As I thought of my kids and how we could teach them what this holiday was about, I had the idea of writing simple verses to read each day of December leading up to Christmas-- an activity that we could do together as they grow up, reading the verses, talking about the story, asking questions, and learning alongside our kids.

flat lay of calendar with numbers

Vintage Florals Design

flat lay of advent calendar with bible verses showing

flat lay advent calendar of patterns

flat lay of advent calendar patterns

Patterns Design

flat lay of advent calendar showing bible verse

Christmas Plaid Design

Since it’s debut, it’s been my number one seller every holiday season and that brings me so much joy to know that so many of you are embracing and using this simple advent activity to bring meaningful memories into your home each year.

I've made a few different versions since I first created it, but the verses and story have remained the same. The Vintage Florals design is meant to bring simplicity and beauty as they are hung up in the home and allow the story written on the back to bring the deeper meaning to the season.

I created the Patterns version of the calendar with detailed patterns and illustrations on each card that give off a wintery, Christmastime feeling. And the Christmas Plaid design as a subtle nod to all the holiday plaid and flannel that exudes Christmas and coziness to me.

advent calendar hanging on wall in Christmas tree shape

I usually get asked by customers how to hang them and although there’s numerous ways to do it, I thought I’d share my favorite way we hang it and have done it the past few years.

Another way you can find ideas is searching the hashtag #ckartadvent on Instagram to see how others are using them in their home too.

I created this reel to show you in 15 seconds how I hang it up, but here is a simple tutorial on how to do it too:

Here's how I hung it on our wall in the photo above.

WHAT YOU NEED:

-small nails or tacks and a hammer

-twine, jute string, or pretty ribbon (long enough to go back and forth on the wall with)

-clothespins (small or regular size)

-advent calendar

-christmas tree branches or faux garland

-twinkle lights (optional)

HOW TO HANG:

-Start at the top with one nail making sure it’s the center of your wall (center of the overall tree).

-Right under the first nail, space the next two nails about a card's length down and a few inches wider on both sides of where you placed the first nail.

-Repeat step two four more times underneath each row, making sure each row is a little wider than the one above it.

-Once you get to the 5th row, place your nails a few inches narrower than the one above it to create the bottom of the “tree” look.

The last row will be slightly narrower than the fifth to create the bottom of the tree.

-Once your rows are spaced how you like, take your string and tie it onto the top nail. From there bring your string diagonal to the opposite nail on the row below. Wrap the nail once with string then bring it straight across to the adjacent nail.

-From that nail, take the string down again diagonal to the next row and repeat these steps until you’re at the bottom and tie it off at the bottom.

Now you're ready to hang your cards on each row going straight across with your clothespins. I just eyeball it from here, adjusting the cards to fit within each row.

Christmas advent calendar hanging on wall in tree shape

I hope this gives you some inspiration and fun ways to hang your advent in your home this season. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and Pinterest to share your photos and ideas with the rest of us! I can’t wait to see how you use yours.

Here's a few links I've put together and shared for you to put together your advent calendars with. Simply click the links below or you can follow me on the Shop LTK app (search @coleykuyperart) to find more and shop from exclusive content I'm saving and sharing there.

advent calendar decorating inspiration