Make a Tree-Shaped Cardboard Tube Advent Calendar

Give kids surprises each day as they count down to Christmas with this handmade Advent calendar. You'll need: cardboard gift wrap or toilet paper tubes; utility knife; hot glue gun; hot glue sticks; pencil; colored craft paper; rub-on letters and numbers or vinyl letter and number stickers; small toys, candy, etc.

In order to create a uniform Advent calendar structure, it's important to cut all cardboard tubes to the same length. Three inches works best on tabletop surfaces or for hanging on walls. Press the top of the tube nearly flush with the bottom, then cut to size using a utility knife. Repeat this step to complete the 24 days of the Advent calendar.

Place a small round object with 3 1/4-inch diameter on craft paper, then trace a perfect circle using a pencil. Next, use scissors to cut out the circle. The circle will be slightly larger than the opening of the cardboard tube, allowing the paper to wrap around its sides.

Cover the backs of all cardboard tubes with circular paper cut-outs. Once each circle is wrapped around the open end, secure it in place with glue.