Make Your Own Takeout Box Advent Calendar

This Christmas advent calendar is not only fun and easy to make, but it will also create a family tradition that your kids will remember for years to come.
Christmas Decor and Advent Calendar

Clever Takeout Box Advent Calendar

An adorable advent calendar made of takeout boxes painted red and green is an inexpensive and easy Christmas decoration kids and adults will love.

Materials Needed:

  • 25 white takeout boxes
  • 3 sheets red construction paper
  • 3 sheets green construction paper
  • white number stickers
  • double-sided tape
  • scissors
  • one bag of decorative gift filler
  • clear tape
  • ruler

Gather Boxes

Gather 25 white takeout boxes.

Takeout Box Display

White Takeout Boxes

Gather 25 white takeout boxes to create a DIY advent calendar.

Measure Height

Use a ruler to measure the distance between the bottom of the takeout box and the bottom of the metal handle.

Wood Ruler Measures White Takeout Box

Measuring Height of Box

Use a ruler to measure the distance between the bottom of the takeout box and the bottom of the metal handle.

Measure Width

Measure the width of the bottom of the takeout box.

Wood Ruler Measures White Takeout Box

Measuring Width of Box

Measure the width of the bottom of the takeout box.

Cut Square

Using the measurements from steps 2 and 3, cut out 12 squares of red construction paper and 13 squares of green construction paper.

Red Paper Square

Cutting Red Construction Paper

Cut out 12 squares of red construction paper and 13 squares of green construction paper fit to the size of the takeout boxes to create a festive advent calendar.

Insert Squares

Slide a construction paper square into one side of each of the 25 takeout boxes.

Red Construction Paper in White Bok

Adding Colored Paper to Takeout Box

Slide a construction paper square into one side of each of the takeout boxes.

Secure Squares

Use a piece of double-sided tape underneath the bottom edge of each construction paper square to firmly hold it in place.

Adhere Paper to Box Using Double-Sided Tape

Securing Colored Paper to Takeout Box

Use a piece of double-sided tape underneath the bottom edge of each construction paper square to firmly hold it in place.

Apply Number Sticker

Number each box from 1 to 25 with white stickers. Apply odd numbers on the red paper and even numbers on the green paper, and use a ruler to make sure each number is the same distance from the bottom of each box.

Takeout Box Numbered With Red Paper

Number Advent Calendar Boxes

Number each box from 1 to 25 with white stickers. Apply odd numbers on the red paper and even numbers on the green paper, and use a ruler to make sure each number is the same distance from the bottom of each box.

Add Goodies and Stack

Fill each box with paper gift filler and small toys and candy (Image 1) then use clear tape to seal the top of each box shut. Stack boxes in the shape of two Christmas trees (Image 2) and open one daily until Christmas Day. (Helpful Hint: Use double-sided tape between each box to keep them from accidentally falling.)

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