Get early access to the supply and tool lists for many of our planned projects during the 2025 Merry Maker Mingle.

Please note that these projects may change entirely, may be swapped out, or may have their supplies and tools changed or updated, so please use this as a general guide only. When we feel confident about what we’re making each day, the links below leads to an Amazon shopping list and a preview of the project, supplies, and tools so you can see the items we used to create each project. Note that each project’s list can be printed independently if you find that useful — just click the “Print” button on each list! 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.

Note: This page is a work in progress, and will remain so as we progress through the event. Please keep checking back for the latest and greatest!

Merry Maker Mingle 2025 is a FREE event — the design files do not expire or go on sale later, and all videos remain free to watch forever, just like all previous years of this event. What is different this year, however, is that we’re offering a new VIP Pass that gives you perks over and above anything we’ve ever offered, specifically you get access to an exclusive companion video with me in my studio (so we can craft, bake, wrap, or just enjoy the holidays together), a printable Merry Maker Mingle Quickstart Guide, a VIP dashboard that gives you easier and faster access to all of the project videos, files, and instructions, and a 50% off coupon good for any JenniferMaker e-book, course, or workshop until December 25th, 2025… plus some other goodies, yet to be announced. You will have the opportunity purchase a VIP Pass after you sign up, but please note that there is NO pressure whatsoever to get a VIP Pass, and you can enjoy the event without it. The VIP Pass is intended for those who want extra goodies and easier access! Our philosophy is to give extra and never take anything away. There is no pressure whatsoever to get a VIP Pass.

Day 1: Cone Tree Advent Calendar

Amazon Shopping List
Techniques: How to plan a large project, cutting various cardstocks, creating consistent shapes, and decorating with embellishments.

PREVIEW: Minimalist Tree Advent Calendar

Yield: 1 Advent Calendar (25 Trees)

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Active Time: 8 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 9 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $16 - $29

Learn how to make a cute and easy minimalist tree advent calendar with cardstock cone trees!

Materials

About Sixty (60) Sheets of 8.5” x 11” 65 lb. Cardstock (any colors) - I used Recollections Feathered Greens -OR-
12" x 12" Green Palette Cardstock
-AND-
Recollections 8.5" x 11" 65 lb. Shades of Red Cardstock -OR-
12" x 12" Red Palette Cardstock -OR-
12" x 12" Cardstock (in various colors)
-AND-
Whaline 11.8" x 11.8" Christmas Pattern Cardstock
Permanent Vinyl (I used White Cricut Value Vinyl)
StandardGrip Transfer Tape
Twenty-Five (25) 2cm Pom Poms (optional for tops of trees) -OR-
Twenty-Five (25) Star Bamboo Picks (optional for tops of trees)
Fifty (50) Sets of 3/8" Clear Hook and Loop Dots (optional to attach the tree top to the base)
Design #771 (My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files are available in my free resource library - get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)

Tools

A way to cut your materials - I’m using the Cricut Maker 4, but you can use any Maker series machine, an Explore series machine, the Venture, the Joy Xtra, or the Joy for the small trees
Cricut Green StandardGrip Machine Mat 12" x 12"
Brayer
Spatula
Scraper
Weeding Tool
Reverse-Action Tweezers -AND-
Clothes Pins (optional for holding pieces while gluing)
Scissors
Craft Glue (I used Bearly Art Precision Glue)
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (optional for attaching the pom poms and stars)
Silicone Finger Protectors (optional for use with hot glue)
Scoring Stylus (optional for files with score lines) -OR-
Single Scoring Wheel (optional for files with score lines)
Wire Cutters (optional for cutting bamboo picks)
Cricut Pen or Other Cylindrical Object (optional for curving cardstock before gluing) -OR-
Bone Folder (optional for curving cardstock before gluing)
Pencil (optional for marking vinyl placement) -AND-
Measuring Tape or Ruler

Instructions

This project's instructions are now available at https://jennifermaker.com/minimalist-tree-advent-calendar/.

VIP Passholders had early access to this project in the VIP dashboard. Get a VIP Pass here.

ADVANCE members also had early access to this project in the member dashboard along with an exclusive design workshop and cheat sheet!

Notes

Finished Sizes:

Large Tree: Approximately 7.5”H x 3.25”W x 3.25”D

Medium Tree: Approximately 6.5”H x 2.625”W x 2.625”D

Small Tree: Approximately 5.5”H x 2.125”W x 2.125”D

Typeface Used: Margin, Free Alternative: Margin (for personal use only)

Day 2: Gingerbread House Pop-up Card

Amazon Shopping List
Techniques: How to make layered projects align and adhering several cardstock styles including glitter cardstock!