Three DIY Christmas Countdowns with Free Printables

Make waiting for Christmas fun with a DIY Christmas Countdown.

I came up with three different ways to make DIY Christmas Countdowns using Dollar Tree Supplies and thought I’d share my ideas, how-tos, and printables! These are for Christmas but you could use this concept to create countdowns for other holidays like Halloween, a countdown for an upcoming trip, a birthday, or any event.

1. How to Make the Number Cubes (Needed for All)

Supplies

• 2 Dollar Tree 3D Puzzle Cubes (2.5″ cubes)
• Foam applicator or brush
• Scissors
• Mod Podge in Gloss
• Print outs of the Countdown Numbers

Instructions

1. Cut out the countdown numbers from the Free Printable in the Supplies List above.
2. Use Mod Podge to glue the numbers to the cubes then coat each number over top with Mod Podge to seal them. Work one or two sides at a time and I recommend letting everything dry completely before going to the next side. I didn’t do this on my first cube and my art stuck to my work surface and looked messy. It wasn’t hard to redo that side but it did take a little more time.

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2. How to Make a Christmas Countdown Using Chalkboard Easels

Supplies

• 4 Dollar Tree 5.75″ x 4.75″ Chalkboard Easels
• 1 Dollar Tree 5.875″ x 2.75″x 3.375″ Mini Wooden Crate (or 2 Dollar Tree Crafter’s Square wooden boxes)
• Holiday picks and decorations
• A floral foam block
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Chalk or chalk marker
• Paint, Spray Paint, or Wood stain and foam applicator or brush (optional)

Instructions

1. Paint or stain your wood chalkboard easels and wood crate –or two wooden drawers (optional).
2. Once dry, hot glue the chalkboards together and hot glue the crate or two wooden boxes together then hot glue to the top.
3. Hot glue decorations to the top and glue a foam block on the inside to add holiday floral picks to the sides.
4. Use chalk or a chalk marker to write “Days Until Christmas” on the front to finish.

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3. How to make a Christmas Countdown Using Picture Frames

Supplies

• Four 4″ x 6″ picture frames.
• 2 Crafter’s Square Wood Boxes (or 1 Dollar Tree 5.875″ x 2.75″x 3.375″ Mini Wooden Crate)
• Holiday decorations
• Holiday wrapping paper or scrapbook paper
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Paint, Spray Paint, or Wood stain and foam applicator or brush (optional)
• Print out the “Days Until Christmas” art

Instructions

1. Paint or stain your wood crate or two wooden boxes (optional).
2. Cut the stand off the back of each frame if there is one.
3. Print and trim out the “Days Until Christmas” art and put it in one of the frames. Fill the other three frames with decorative holiday wrapping paper or patterned paper.
4. Hot glue the frames together and two wooden boxes together then glue them to the top.
5. Hot glue holiday decorations to the top and sides.

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3. How to Make a Christmas Countdown Carrying Tin

This countdown option is the easiest to make and a great option for kids. I found the tin at Dollar Tree and you can check it out here: Mini Christmas Tins with Carrying Handles, 5.625 x 2.5 x 4.5 in.

1. Download, print out, and cut the “Days Until Christmas” art here. It is sized to fit this mini-carrying tin from Dollar Tree.
2. Mod Podge the art to the inside of the lid and hang it up by the handle!