DIY Advent calendar

This is what you need:

• 24 brown paper bags (from the craft store)
• wooden clothespins
• A long string or cord
• number stickers or a felt-tip pen
• scissors and glue
• Optional:
  • washi tape/masking tape
  • fir branches
  • paper stars
  • Rubber stamp
  • glitter

And here's how it works:

1. Prepare bags
   • Number the bags from 1-24
   • You can write down the numbers or use stickers
   • Fold the top edge of each bag about 2 cm
2. Preparing for fastening
   • Stretch the string along a wall or across a shelf
   • Alternatively: Attach two nails and stretch the string between them
   • Tip: If you have a long wall, you can stretch the cord in a zigzag pattern
3. decorating bags
   • Decorate each bag individually
   • Glue washi tape strips on
   • Paint small motifs such as stars or Christmas trees
   • Less is often more!
4. filling the bags
   • Put the surprises in the bags
   • Cheap filling ideas:
     • Homemade cookies
     • Handwritten vouchers (e.g. "A walk together")
     • tea bags
     • Small notes with beautiful sayings
     • Homemade pendants
     • sweets
     • Photos of beautiful moments together
5. hanging
   • Close the bags by folding them
   • Attach them to the string with clothespins
   • Mix up the numbers, it makes it more exciting
   • Pay attention to even spacing

Creative additions:

• Decorate the clothespins with gold paint
• Hang small fir branches between the bags
• Attach LED lights along the cord
• Make small stars and hang them between

Saving tips:

• Use newspaper instead of paper bags
• Use old Christmas cards to decorate
• Collect fir branches from the forest
• Bake cookies yourself instead of buying sweets
• Create personal vouchers
• Write down 24 reasons why you like someone

The great thing about this Advent calendar is that you can design it according to your taste and budget.