This year, I learned how to make an Advent Calendar, often called a Countdown Calendar.The three Advent Calendars on this page feature paper crafts.You'll find a 3-D Countdown Calendar created from a kit, a Magnetic Advent Calendar utilizing mini-muffin tins and magnets, and a hanging Advent Calendar created with easy-to-find, low cost items.  If you're a scrapbooker or a paper crafter, there's something for everyone.  

Before I moved to Vancouver, I had never heard of an Advent Calendar. They simply weren't traditional back in the prairies where I lived much of my life. But here on the West Coast, they're part of the childhood experience.

These calendars are popular for counting down to any event imaginable. Traditional Advent Calendars count down to the Advent, of course. But you also find Countdown Calendars that count down to Hanukkah, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirement, last day of school and any other event that comes to mind.  

Watch the days pass as this calendar counts down the days until Christmas -- or any other special day in the Holiday Season.

This eye-catching calendar is made with papers and supplies that you can find almost anywhere. No need to buy an expensive kit or tromp through the stores looking for a "must have" embellishment. Use what you have -- ribbon, buttons, lace, images cut from Christmas cards, perhaps -- and create an item that is uniquely special and uniquely yours.

The calendar shown in the picture cost me less than ten dollars to make. Where I live, that's extremely low priced.

Click the link below for a complete video demonstration of how this Advent Calendar is made.

This Advent Calendar is so cute, and the best part is that its so easy to make that you can make several sets of covers for the muffin tin cups. With one mini-muffin pan, you can make a Countdown Calendar for all the special events in your year.

The covers are attached with magnets. EK Success sells strips of magnets with adhesive on the back. All you have to do is cut a couple of pieces and stick them to the back of your circular covers.

How easy is that?

And if you want, you can use the muffin tin for the purpose it was intended, in between events!

This adorable 3-D Countdown Calendar is an easy-to-use kit from Karen Foster Design. The kit includes the box with its 25 reversible boxes and number stickers sufficient to decorate one side. You supply the paper, trim and creativity.

Because this Advent Calendar Box reverses, you can decorate the other side of the boxes to countdown to any event you want.