Painted Christmas Day Countdown Sign with chalkboard vinyl so you can write each day on it!

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Learn how to make this fun Christmas Day Countdown Sign for your home with this easy tutorial!

I absolutely love to countdown to Christmas — it’s my favorite holiday! If you’re anything like me, or maybe you have kids who keep asking you “When is Christmas?” then this is the perfect project for you. My Christmas Day Countdown sign is easy to make, and the end result is a fun and decorative project. Your family can enjoy changing the number each day as you countdown to Christmas Day! So for Day 1 of the 25-Day Gift-Away, I am showing you how to make a Christmas Day Countdown Sign! 

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See exactly how to make a Christmas Day Countdown Sign in my tutorial video (or keep scrolling if you prefer a printable step-by-step photo tutorial):

Painted Christmas Day Countdown Sign with chalkboard vinyl so you can write each day on it!

This Christmas Day Countdown sign is easy to make, and the end result is a fun and decorative project. You and your family will love changing the number each day as you countdown to Christmas Day!

Painted Christmas Day Countdown Sign with chalkboard vinyl so you can write each day on it!

For this project, we’re using a 16 inch x 20 inch wood painting panel that we’ve covered in Christmas red acrylic paint. We’ll decorate the panel with white permanent adhesive vinyl, gold glitter vinyl, and black chalkboard vinyl. Chalkboard vinyl lets you write and erase with a piece of chalk or chalk marker, so it’s ideal for a countdown sign! I’ll even show you how to attach the chalk marker to the side of your sign so you don’t lose it!

Tools used in this tutorial include a Cricut cutting machine to cut out the vinyl, a paintbrush to paint the sign, a weeding tool to remove the extra vinyl, a ruler and chalk to help center the lettering on the sign, and a scraper tool to help the vinyl stick better to your sign.

This sign project is great for learning how to use these three different types of vinyl, as well as both types of transfer tape — regular grip and strong grip!

Here’s the Christmas Day Countdown Sign made by Grandi, my team’s “Wonder Woman,” for her family:

Christmas Day Countdown Sign made by Grandi

So let me show you where to find the free design pattern for this project, and then I’ll show you how to paint and assemble it! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Finished Christmas Day Countdown Sign

Materials to Make a Christmas Day Countdown Sign

View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project!

How to Make a Christmas Day Countdown Sign

This is what my finished Christmas Countdown sign looks like

Christmas Day Countdown

Yield: 1 sign
Prep Time: 5 hours
Active Time: 1 hour
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 8 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Estimated Cost: $35

Start your holidays right with this fun and easy Christmas Day Countdown sign!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE CHRISTMAS DAY COUNTDOWN SIGN FILE

Get the free Christmas Day Countdown Sign SVG cut file from my free resource library. You'll find the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post.

You can find the pattern by searching the page for design "252" — you can get an SVG cut file for cutting with a Cricut or another cutting machine, and a printable PDF for cutting by hand.

STEP 2: PAINT THE COUNTDOWN SIGN

I recommend painting the panel sign the day prior so the paint has time to dry. Apply light layers of paint with a wet paintbrush. If needed, apply a second layer. Apply the paint with effortless strokes in the direction of the wood grain. Here I am applying my second coat of paint.

Use effortless paint strokes when painting the sign for my Christmas countdown sign

STEP 3: CUT THE COUNTDOWN DESIGN

You can cut this project by hand or with a cutting machine. If you'd prefer to cut this pattern out with your Cricut cutting machine, here’s what the Christmas Countdown Sign SVG cut file will look like once uploaded to Cricut Design Space. Don't worry about the way it looks here — just click the "Make It" button to cut it out.

This is what my Christmas Countdown sign looks like in Cricut Design Space

Tip: If you're not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made.

My Christmas Day Countdown Sign uses three different types of vinyl. The lettering and snowflakes use premium vinyl, also known as permanent adhesive vinyl. The black belt uses chalkboard vinyl and the gold belt buckle uses glitter vinyl. Make sure that you choose the appropriate material for each mat before cutting.

Be sure to place your adhesive vinyl pretty side UP on your cutting mat — you do NOT have to mirror adhesive vinyl.

After your vinyl is cut, weed the pieces with a weeding tool.

Next, apply regular transfer tape on the lettering. You'll want to use strong grip transfer tape for the gold glitter vinyl — look inside your roll of vinyl for a sheet of Strong Grip transfer tape.

I did not use transfer tape for the chalkboard vinyl pieces because they are very easy to handle.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE THE CHRISTMAS DAY COUNTDOWN SIGN

With all your vinyl pieces ready it's now time to put the sign together. Find the horizontal center of your sign and measure 10.25" from the top of the sign. This is where the top of the belt buckle will be placed. I used a chalk pencil to mark this on my sign.

Find the center of the Christmas Countdown sign and mark it using a ruler and pencil

Fold the belt buckle vinyl in half and then put a slight crease in the vinyl to identify the center.

Fold the vinyl in half to find the center placement for the Christmas Countdown Sign

Remove the backing from the Belt Buckle (Glitter Vinyl). Take the largest piece of chalkboard vinyl and layer it behind the belt buckle vinyl.

Place the chalkboard vinyl on the back of the belt buckle vinyl for my Christmas Countdown sign

This is what your piece should look like on the front.

This is what the buckle vinyl piece looks like with the chalkboard vinyl for my Christmas Countdown sign

Remove the backing from the layered belt buckle/chalkboard piece. Center it on your board with the top edge of the vinyl at 10.25" from the top of the sign. Use a scraper tool to press the vinyl down.

Use your scoring tool to press the vinyl buckle down for my Christmas Countdown sign

Remove the transfer tape from the vinyl buckle.

Remove the transfer tape from the buckle on the Christmas Countdown sign

Use a ruler to align the right side of the chalkboard belt.

Use a ruler to align one side of the chalkboard vinyl for the Christmas Countdown sign

Remove the backing from the chalkboard vinyl and add it to the sign.

Add the right side of the belt to the sign

Use a ruler to align the left side of the chalkboard belt and apply it to the sign.

Use a ruler to align the left side of the vinyl belt to the right side for my Christmas Countdown Sign

Use a knife to cut the excess chalkboard vinyl from the sign.

Use a razor blade to cut the excess vinyl from the Christmas Countdown Sign

Align the "Ho! Ho! Ho!" lettering so the top of the words measures 1" down from the top of the sign.

Place Ho! Ho! Ho! vinyl on the Christmas Countdown Sign

There are approximately 3" on each side of Ho! Ho! Ho!

Ho! Ho! Ho! should have approximately 3 inches on each sign of the Christmas Countdown Sign

Use your scraper tool and apply the vinyl to your sign.

Use your scraping tool to apply Ho! Ho! Ho! to the Christmas Countdown sign

This is what your sign should look like at this point.

This is what Ho! Ho! Ho! looks like on the Christmas Countdown Sign

Now it's time to add "Christmas comes in" to the sign. I placed "Christmas" approximately 4.5" from the top and centered.

Measure the distance from the top for the vinyl lettering for my Christmas Countdown Sign

There are approximately 2" on each side of the word Christmas.

Measure the vinyl lettering placement for the Christmas Countdown Sign

Remove the backing from the lettering and apply the vinyl to the sign with a scraping tool.

Use your scraper tool to apply the lettering to the Christmas Countdown Sign

The last piece of lettering to add is the word 'Days'. Center the vinyl below the belt buckle and use a scraping tool to apply the vinyl to the sign.

Center the word Days below the belt buckle for my Christmas Countdown Sign

Next, take the snowflakes and place them on your sign. Feel free to adjust the size of the snowflakes before cutting them and even add more by using the duplicate tool in Cricut Design Space. This is where I placed my snowflakes. Use your scraping tool to apply all the snowflakes to the Christmas Day Countdown Sign.

Place the vinyl snowflakes on the Christmas Countdown Sign

If you plan to apply a clear coat to the top of your sign (optional), make sure all of your vinyl pieces are thoroughly applied to the sign. Next, use some painter's tape to cover the chalkboard vinyl.

Use painter's tape to cover the chalkboard vinyl for the Christmas Countdown Sign

Using some velcro, wrap the soft side of the velcro around your chalkboard marker.

Wrap the soft side piece of velcro around your chalkboard marker for the Christmas Countdown sign

Take the prickly side of the velcro and stick it to one side of your sign. Now your chalkboard marker will always be with your Christmas Day Countdown Sign.

Add the rough side of the velcro and stick to the side of the Christmas Countdown Sign

To make this sign easy to put up for the holidays without additional nails in the wall, I applied Command strips to the back of the sign. So when the holiday is over the sign is easy to remove without any damage to your wall.

Add command strips to the back of the Christmas Countdown sign so it is easy to remove

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

And this is what my finished Christmas Day Countdown Sign looks like. Isn't this festive? I love the bright red sign! But my favorite thing is how easy it is to write the number of days until Christmas arrives!

This is what my finished Christmas Countdown sign looks like

Notes

FONTS

There are no fonts used in this project. All text is hand lettered.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to the JenniferMaker Design Fairy Team, specifically Design Fairy Caitlin, for helping me design and assemble this awesome design.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Answers to Your Questions About The Christmas Day Countdown Sign

Q: What can I use instead of a wood frame?
Two common options are canvas or corrugated cardboard. Both of these will work great!

Q: Do you need to seal the vinyl on to the wood?
Sealing is optional, but you do not need to seal this project. If you would like to seal we have a spray gloss finish listed on our Amazon List on this blog post.

Q: What can I use instead of chalkboard vinyl?
You can use chalkboard paint instead of the chalkboard vinyl. You can also use all black vinyl and then instead of writing the numbers you can put in little hooks and hang small signs with the numbers on them, and switch out the numbers daily. Some people have said they have used Post It notes with the number written on it!

Q: Is this durable enough to be kept outside?
Yes, if you can keep it out of the elements. The chalk pen will run if it gets wet, so you will just have to make sure your porch has an overhang to help protect it from getting wet.

Q: Can you use spray paint?
Absolutely! Just be safe and use spray paint in a well ventilated area.

Get my free SVG files to make a Christmas Day Countdown Sign

https://forms.convertkit.com/457882?v=7

Answers to Your Questions

Q: Can I use something else besides the painting panel you have in your supply list?

A: Yes! You can use anything flat, mostly smooth, and sturdy. Try a piece of wood from the home improvement store, a canvas, foamcore, or even a strong piece of cardboard. Just make sure your surface is as smooth as you can get it before applying vinyl. If necessary, sand it and/or coat it with varnish or polyurethane to create a smoother surface.

Q: I don’t have chalkboard vinyl. What else can I use?

A: You can use chalkboard paint instead — buy it ready made or make it yourself with a little Plaster of Paris and acrylic paint. Or buy a small chalkboard tag at the dollar store and use that instead.

I’d love to see your Christmas Day Countdown Signs. Please share a photo in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

See all of the projects, tutorials, and free designs in the JenniferMaker 25-Day Gift-Away Challenge!

The Great Maker 25-Day Gift-Away Extravaganza for 2020

Love,

JenniferMaker.com

I’ve created three other countdowns — a tile ornament tree countdown where you can flip over the ornaments each day, a Christmas Town Countdown where you can open up each little buildings door, and my Christmas Tree Advent Calendar with little drawers for treats. And, of course, I have tutorials for all of these projects here on my blog!

Tile Ornament Tree Countdown Calendar for Christmas - Free Pattern and SVG Cut Files for Two Sizes! #cricut #glowforge #christmas Easy DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar - Make this Christmas Town and open each door to countdown to Christmas! Free SVG cut file for your Cricut | #christmas #papercraft #cricut Easy Tree Advent Calendar | Papercraft Christmas Holiday Project \ Free SVG Files |

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Painted Christmas Day Countdown Sign with chalkboard vinyl so you can write each day on it!

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10 Comments

  1. This is so amazing! One of our neighbors on another street has a digital countdown in their front window so I am excited to actually make my own (and one for each of the 3 grandchildren’s homes of course).. It will be proudly displayed in my front window! All of the neighborhood littles will then be able to see how many days are left! I have some huge hard-backed canvas boards to use & will be making number tiles to change each morning! This is the best way to start December! Thank You!

  2. I watched your video on the cricut tips. I don’t have a new cricut, just an older one. I love my cricut and have used it for making cards and other things. I haven’t cut anything other than card stock. I did learn a lot of tips from your video. Do you have any other tips for us “older models”? 😁

    1. The best tip I can give you is to find projects that are considered “easy” and practice! Keep making things and once you feel comfortable with one skill, add a new skill!

  3. Hi Jennifer. I made this as my first Christmas project and was ecstatic with the results. I had posted to the Maker Group on FB and had a lot of people tell me how great it turned out. I had hoped you saw it too but I know you’re so busy blessing us with your talent. Thank you and I hope to do another fun project soon of yours.

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