Christmas Tree Advent Calendar: 25 Days of Maker Projects!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY CHRISTMAS TREE ADVENT CALENDAR DESIGNS

First, download my Christmas Tree Advent Calendar files from my free library – look for Design #659.

Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find “score” and “no-score” versions of my design to cut on a cutting machine. There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

Upload the SVG file you need to Design Space to get started. I’ll demonstrate with the “score” design because it creates a smoother result.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR CALENDAR DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the SVG file of your choice.
   NOTE: I’ll pick the “score” version.
5. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   NOTE: If your project uploads differently than is shown on this page (with the layers stacked on top of each other vs spread out), this is intentional to make sure your design does not change sizes on you. If you prefer to use the unstacked version of the design files, upload one of the files in the "Unstacked" folder and then make sure your layers match these dimensions:
   

• tree-advent-no-score-jennifermaker-SVG: 46.143″ x 48.451″
• tree-advent-score-jennifermaker-SVG: 46.126″ x 48.432″
  
  The eight triangle-shaped pieces will be the tree’s vertical support walls, the four octagons will be the horizontal base pieces the drawers will sit on, the green fan-shaped piece is the Christmas tree topper, and the twenty-five ornaments are the number tabs for the drawers.
  
  There are also sixteen small squares, sixteen medium squares, and sixteen large squares for the magnet cutouts.
  
  The remaining pieces will be the drawers: eight small boxes, eight medium boxes, and eight large boxes, for a total of 24 drawers.
  
  
  

1. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
2. Ungroup the design and spread the pieces out.
   
   
   
3. In the Layers Panel, click the arrow next to the first group to expand the top-left vertical support piece. It has two layers: the score lines and the cardstock shape.
   
   
   
4. Select the top layer (the score lines) and click the “Operation” drop-down menu to change it to “Score” to make the crease lines where your shapes will be folded.
   
   
   
5. Hold your Shift key and click the two layers for the vertical support piece in the Layers Panel.
6. Click “Attach” to keep these operations together.
   
   
   
7. Repeat Steps 9-12 to expand, change the top layer operation to “Score,” and Attach the two layers for the remaining vertical support pieces.
8. Use Steps 9-12 to prepare the tree topper and the twenty-four drawer pieces the same way.
   
   
   
9. Your project is ready to cut!

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your materials.
   NOTE: The magnet pieces will be cut from material that is 4” x 6”, so be sure to change the Material Size setting to match this for your gray mat.
   TIP: If you want to combine mats to save time and materials, follow the instructions in my Easter Egg Lantern tutorial.
   
   
   
4. Select the first mat again and click “Continue.”
5. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your first mat. Mine is the magnetic sheet, so I used the “Magnetic Sheet - 0.5 mm” setting with “Default” Pressure.
   NOTE: After you set the material for a mat color, you can check the box next to “Remember Material Settings” to save time between mats.
6. Place your first mat’s material on a green StandardGrip machine mat. Mine is the adhesive magnet sheet, which should have the carrier sheet touching the mat.
   
   
   
7. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
8. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
9. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
10. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
11. When the cuts finish, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the “Go” button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
12. When it has finished cutting, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the magnets.
13. Cut the rest of the magnet mats the same way.
14. For your cardstock mats, set the material to the “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” setting with “More” Pressure for the base pieces and drawers.
15. Place your regular cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat and use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
    
    
    
    TIP: Put your holiday patterned paper with your chosen pattern FACE DOWN—this way your paper will get scored on the back, making it easier to fold in the proper way with your chosen pattern face out.
    
    
    
16. When you get to a mat with score lines, follow the screen prompts to select and add the tool you chose as needed. I used the Scoring Stylus, but you can also use the Scoring Wheel.
    TIP: If you click the “Remember Material Settings” box after changing the tool from the Scoring Wheel to the Scoring Stylus, it will remember your tool selections, as well. Even so, always check that your material and tool settings are correct between mats.
    NOTE: If you’re using the no-score version, you won’t see the scoring tool prompts.
    
    
    
17. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
18. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
19. When it has finished cutting, check the cuts and make a second pass if needed by pressing the "Go" button again.
20. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the cardstock.
    TIP: Use the spatula to help lift delicate parts, and your weeding tool to poke out small bits of cardstock that may have been left behind. If you have any issues with your cuts, go to jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts.
    
    
    
21. Use a scraper tool to remove the small bits left on your mat after you remove the cut pieces.
22. For the glitter cardstock, set your material to the “Glitter Cardstock” setting with “More” Pressure for the tree topper and number ornaments.
23. Place the material face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat and brayer it down well.
24. Use the same steps to cut and unload your glitter pieces.
25. Lay out all of the pieces face up. You should have eight vertical support walls, four octagonal horizontal supports, eight small box pieces, eight medium box pieces, eight large box pieces, the tree top piece, twenty-five ornament numbers, sixteen small magnets, sixteen medium magnets, and sixteen large magnets. All cardstock pieces but the horizontal supports and ornaments will require folding.
    NOTE: Refer to the Design Space screen if you’re not sure about some pieces’ orientation.
    
    
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE ADVENT CALENDAR

CHRISTMAS TREE SIDES AND BASE ASSEMBLY

1. Begin by folding the eight vertical supports in half along the crease line.
   NOTE: You'll want to line up the four slots along the sides as best as you can.
   TIP: Placing the edge of a large scraper along the crease line can help with this.
   
2. With the support piece face down, add a thin line of craft glue to one long edge, then fold along the seam and press the edges in place.
   TIP: The precision tip on a bottle of Bearly Art glue works really well!
   
   
   
3. Glue and fold the rest of the support pieces the same way and let them dry.
4. Set the two largest base octagons face up.
5. Hold a support piece, pointing up with the bottom slit aligned with one on the bottom octagon, then slide them together.
   TIP: Make sure everything is slid in all the way.
   
   
   
6. Slide the next octagon into the support piece’s next slot the same way.
7. Add the rest of the support pieces to the other slots on the two octagons.
8. Take the next octagon and gently match its slots with the next slots on the support pieces.
   
   
   
9. Add the smallest octagon the same way to complete the frame.
   
   

DRAWER ASSEMBLY

1. There are three sizes of drawers and eight of each. All are assembled the same way.
   
   
   
2. Place a drawer piece face down and fold the three tabs up along the crease lines.
   
   
   
3. Fold up each of the three sides of the drawer.
   
   
   
4. Then, glue the tabs to the sides and pinch them in place to set.
   TIP: I found it easiest to glue the front two tabs, then glue the back tab.
   
   
   
5. Use Steps 2-4 to assemble all of the drawers and let them dry.
6. One at a time, attach an ornament piece to the front of each drawer with craft glue.
   NOTE: You will have twenty-five numbers but only twenty-four drawers. The 25th ornament goes in the very top space, under the tree topper (perhaps for a special surprise!).
   TIP: You can add the ornaments in order or mix them up depending on your preference.
   
   
   
7. Pair up the magnet pieces by size. You should have eight sets for each size of magnets.
   TIP: If the magnets seem to repel or do not want to go on straight, turn one magnet 180° so the two magnets line up when stuck together.
   
   
   
8. Next, peel the backing off one magnet in a small set.
   TIP: Use a weeding tool if the backing doesn’t come off easily.
9. Apply the sticky side to the bottom of a small drawer. Press the magnet in place to make sure it adheres well.
   
   
   
10. Then peel the backing off the other side of the magnet pair, realigning the magnets if necessary.
11. Push the drawer into position on the top shelf of the Christmas Tree Advent Calendar without letting the bottom touch until it’s in place. Then use your thumb to press up from the underside of the shelf the drawer is resting on, while pressing down lightly from the top of the drawer with your forefinger. This magnet will allow your drawers to stay in place even when they are not full.
    
    
    
12. Continue affixing the magnets and positioning the remaining drawers in place, working from top to bottom to make sure you can apply pressure from the underside of each shelf easily. Keep going until every drawer is in place and your tree is full!
    
    

TREE TOPPER ASSEMBLY

1. To assemble the tree top, place it face down, then fold along all the crease lines so it starts to curl into a cone shape.
2. Add glue to the tab where it will touch the other side of the topper.
   
   
   
3. Bring the other side over to cover the tab and hold it in place to set.
4. The assembled tree topper rests on top of your tree -- no need to secure it into place. Plus, it’s the secret hiding spot of day 25’s gift. Just lift off the top to see the gift!
   
   
   
   
   
   

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

Your Christmas Tree Advent Calendar is finished! Place your Advent items in the boxes (don’t forget to lift the tree topper to place a gift on the very top shelf!) and enjoy sharing a gift every day of the holidays!