Halloween Advent Calendar

Happy Friday one and all.  Today is an exciting day!  It's the day I'm going to teach you how to make an Halloween Advent Calendar!

I came up with this idea after browsing holiday ideas on Pintrest.  I found a Christmas advent calendar that was made from scrapbook paper, and had activities instead of candy and presents-- and I thought, Wouldn't it be awesome if someone made a Halloween version of this?  

Well folks, I am that someone.

Here's what you'll need:

• 3 pieces of poster board (in the color of your choice)
• Various sheets of Scrapbooking paper (enough to make 30 pockets and decorate them)
• 8 sheets of 8.5 x 11" cardstock
• 2 rolls of 3/8" Halloween Ribbion
• 1 roll of 2 1/2" Halloween Ribbon
• Scrapbooker's Glue
• Hot glue gun with glue sticks
• Glow-in-the-dark thread
• A sewing machine
• Scissors
• A ruler
• Sharpies in your favorite Halloween colors

The first year I made this, I made my calendar on some poster board.  To get yours to look like mine, you will need to square up the poster board to be 22" x 22".  I used a rotary cutter and my 28" quilting ruler to do this.  You will need 2 pieces that are 22" x 22" and one that is 22" x 14 2/3".

Once the poster board is squared up, you'll want to cut out your pockets and glue them to the poster board.  You need 30 pockets. (1 for each day leading up to Halloween)  Your pockets need to be 5" x 6" so the cards can fit inside.

Now that your pockets are cut out, you'll want to glue them on the poster board.  On the large pieces of poster board, I did 3 rows of 4. And on the small poster board, I did 2 rows of 4.

** Make sure to leave 2 spaces on one of your large boards blank.  That will ensure that your pockets will be even once the whole thing is put together.

It's now time to decorate your calendar.  Each pocket needs a number: 1-30 to represent the days leading up to Halloween.  The large poster board with 12 pockets should be one through 12.  The small poster board should be 13 through 20.  And the last poster board should be 21 through 30.

** You can also decorate your pockets with Halloween stickers, etc.  Make them as scary and creative as you want.

When you have everything decorated, you'll want to grab your sewing machine and load it

When you have everything decorated, you'll want to grab your sewing machine and load it with the glow in the dark thread.  Stitch around the edge of each pocket with a dull needle.

** Make sure to only use that needle for paper projects, once it's been used on this project so you don't jam your machine.

Now that your pockets have been attached, you'll want to put your calendar together... this year I decided to cut it up and string the days together using yarn.

I made two rows of 15, and hung them on a central wall in the house.

Here's what we put on our cards:

1. Make the house spooky
2. Go apple picking
3. Make candied apples
4. Make apple cider
5. Go for a hay ride
6. Have a Halloween-themed dinner or party
7. Make a new Halloween decoration
8. Make Halloween cookies
9. Read a scary story
10. Have a "Scream" movie marathon
11. Make pumpkin Pop-Tarts
12. Buy a new Halloween movie and watch it
13. Visit a Haunted House
14. Make a Halloween craft
15. Build a Scarcrow or hang cobwebs and spiders
16. Go out of a spooky treat
17. Make or buy a Halloween CD and listen to it
18. Read or Go to a reading of "The Raven"
19. Make a Halloween wreath for the door
20. Take a spooky tour of a graveyard or of the city you live in
21. Color a Halloween picture
22. Go pumpkin-patching
23. Play a round of Pumpkin Bowling
24. Make Halloween costumes
25. Make pumpkin fudge or  Halloween candy
26. Have a scary movie marathon
27. Visit a Corn Maze
28. Carve pumpkins
29. Buy some festive ales and have a beer tasting
30. Take a Halloween picture

Once your done, hang it on the wall.  Or store it away until Halloween!

Did you find this pattern helpful?  If not, what are some improvements that could be made?  Please leave comments, and any questions you might have in the comments section, and I'll be happy to get back to you.