Three DIY Christmas Countdowns with Free Printables

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Square feature photo showing three finished DIY Christmas Countdowns.

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

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.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR NUMBER CUBES FOR ALL THREE DIY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN OPTIONS: Cut the numbers out and use Mod Podge to glue them to the cubes then coat each number over top with Mod Podge. Do five sides, let dry completely then flip over and do the last side.

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2. How to Make a Christmas Countdown Using Chalkboard Easels

Photo of a finished DIY Christmas Countdown made using mini Chalkboards.
Finished DIY Christmas Countdown made with 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.
If making a DIY Christmas Countdown with Dollar Store Chalkboard Easels - Paint or stain your wood crate or two wooden boxes (optional).
Paint or stain wood frames on chalkboard easels
and a wood crate or two wooden boxes.
If making a DIY Christmas Countdown with Chalkboard Easels -- Hot glue chalkboard frames together and glue the wood crate to the top.
Hot glue chalkboard frames together and hot glue the wood crate to the top.
If Making a DIY Christmas Countdown Using Chalkboard Easels -- Glue a foam block  inside to add holiday picks to the sides. Last glue ornaments or decorations to the top crate of your countdown.
Glue a foam block inside to add holiday picks to the sides. Last glue ornaments or decorations to the top crate of your countdown.

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3. How to make a Christmas Countdown Using Picture Frames

Photo of a finished DIY Christmas Countdown made using dollar store picture frames.
Finished DIY Christmas Countdown made with 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.
Remove the stand from the back of each frame.
Fill the picture frames then hot glue them together.
Hot glue the boxes together then glue them to the top.

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3. How to Make a Christmas Countdown Carrying Tin

Feature image of a finished DIY Christmas Countdown made with a dollar store holiday tin.
Finished DIY Christmas Counter made with a 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!
Mod Podge “Days Until Christmas” art to the inside lid of the carrying tin.
Three DIY Christmas Countdowns with free printables. Made mostly Dollar Store supplies. Check out the tutorials!
If you love this craft, Pin-It to your Pinterest craft boards to come back to later!

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