Christmas Advent Calendar mini envelopes

My kids are super excited about Christmas, I am rarely excited by Christmas. I let to-do lists get in the way of enjoying the Christmas lead up. Last year on the 14th of December I bought a cheap chocolate filled advent calendar. Cakey loved it, probably because she got to eat 14 days worth of chocolate in one go. This year I thought I would make more of an effort!

I love paper craft so I decided to make my own Christmas advent calendar consisting of 24 mini envelopes (x 2) filled with chocolate coins, stickers and special notes from Santa's elves. I devised a design that is hugely labour intensive... meaning that I am likely to do this only once. Having said that, it is very cute and I am happy with the way it has turned out.

The supplies (you can download the envelope template below)

I designed a printable template for mini envelopes (which you are free to download) that I printed on Christmas scrapbooking paper. Here are the steps to make them:

1. Cut scrapbook paper to fit printer.
2. Print mini envelope template on the white side of the scrapbook paper (2 envelopes to a page).
3. (optional) Score the folds with a bone folder, this makes it easier to fold the flaps later.
4. Cut around the envelope template using a scalpel or stanley knife and ruler.
5. Fold all the flaps and glue together with a gluestick.
6. Wipe up any excess glue and place the envelopes between the pages of a thick book so that they dry flat.
7. Apply the date to the front of the envelopes – I used number stamps that I found in the scrapbooking section of Kmart but you could simply write the number on in gold ink.
8. (optional) Cut rounded corners on the envelope flap using a corner cutter (I dropped my 10 year old corner cutter during this project, it smashed and I wimpered, goodbye corner cutter I will miss you).
9. Fill your mini envelopes with skinny things – I chose coins, chocolate money, stickers and little notes from Santa's elves (you can download the notes too).
10. On November 30th arrange your little envelopes for your kids to find in the morning. I am going to peg them to a little fake Chirstmas tree.

Want the template for the mini envelopes – click here
Want the little notes from Santa's elves – click here
Like the idea but think I am mad to spend my evenings cutting out mini envelopes.... yes well, my smart mother in law suggested buying those lovely bright red envelopes from Chinatown – same concept but a lot less work!

If you are in the mood to get a bit Christmassy have a look at my Christmas Pinterest Board. Stay tuned for more Christmas ideas in December – I have a few things planned. For more Christmas Advent Calendar ideas check out this post from Rainy Day Mum.

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Linked to Holiday Fun, festive friday, tip-toe tuesday and Countdown to Christmas