A Holiday Advent Calendar Using the Match Box Die by Debi Adams

Well if you haven’t noticed, the holiday season is upon us and I thought it would be fun to do something a bit different for my Christmas home décor this year.  I’m Debi Adams and I love to decorate for any occasion and Christmas is no different but I only like breaking the “rules” when it comes to enhancing my home. Today for example, I am bringing you an advent calendar that is done in pink, champagne and gold set on a smokey-blue gray background. Ah, what a rebel, right?  I love the class and elegance of the colors. Anyway, it’s an easy project to create because who really has time to do anything extra with all the shopping and wrapping that a waits? I am using my Match Box die from my latest collection, “Love, Set, Match” and will show you several different ways to work the box. Btw, the box was made to fit gift cards as well as treats!

Constructing the Box

Die-cut two box lids and one base for each box. Adhere the two lids together at the side so that they form a hollow box. Adhere the box at the sides. Slide the bottom box into the lid. To see visual, step-by-step photos, go here. You will need to cut thirteen boxes in various patterns and colors of  cardstock.

Variations to the Box

To create a different look to some of your boxes, cut a window using the tag that is included with the Match Box set before assembly.  Adhere clear acetate to the inside and then fold and adhere sides.

Try wrapping the two lids around the bottom box by securing the tabs on the back of the bottom box as shown here. It looks like one closes over the other.

When closed, it looks just like a covered box.

Another way to change the Match Box is to make it like a book. Assemble the box as instructed then add an additional lid (one side only) to one side of the box. When the lid is open, it can reveal a sentiment or photo.

The Match Box comes with some tiny little bows. You can use them to embellish your box.

Tiny tags allow for personalization or for identifying the number in the advent.

Touches of gold twine and gold stars add festivity to the gifts.

And just a few sentiments here and there complete the look.

A conglomeration of many different styles.

Arranging the Tree

Arrange your boxes onto a solid-colored foam board that has been adjusted to fit into your desired-size frame. I used a color that was in contrast to the boxes. Once I got the boxes where I wanted them, I secured them in place.

Since the purpose of the advent is to have little goodies tucked inside each one, securing the boxes to the board with Velcro would be ideal. The box can then be removed for retrieving the treat and then placed back onto the tree.

I felt like my tree needed a little bling and glitz so I added stars, sequins and some rhinestones. I think that writing some cool words with a gold marker around the tree would tie it all together too.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S2-266 Ho Ho Ho
• S3-260 Superstars
• S5-326 Match Box
• PE-100 Platinum 6 Machine or PL-001 Platinum Machine

Other Supplies:

Patterned Paper (I used “Heart of Home” 6x6 paper pad by Jen Hadfield); Plain Cardstock of Your Choice; Glittered Cardstock of Your Choice; Gold Twine; Thin Acrylic or Plastic; Sequins; Rhinestones; Foam Dots; Adhesive; Frame; Foam Core Board or Similar; Velcro.

Well that about “wraps” this up…Pun intended!  Whether you create an advent calendar or not, the box is an easy, convenient, and useful die to have around. Thanks for joining me today! XO, Debi Adams