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Gifts & Small Projects

Easy Advent Calendar House

Step-by-step build — 14 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Cut Board

    Cut a 1 x 8 board to 11" in length.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 3
  2. 2Layout Grid

    Divide the width of the board, creating 4 evenly spaced, vertical lines.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 4
  3. 3Align Jig

    Align a Kreg Shelf Pin Jig so the holes are centered on each vertical line. Use a 3" Wood Project clamp to hold the board and jig securely to your work surface.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 5
  4. 4Drill Holes

    Set a depth-stop collar on a 1/4" drill bit. Using the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig, drill six, 1/2" deep holes, vertically along each of the lines drawn. Create a total of 24 holes.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 6
  5. 5Add Top Hole

    • Use a Multi-Mark™ multi-purpose measuring tool to find the vertical center, of the board.
    • Measure 1-5/16" from the top row of holes.
    • Drill a 1/4" x 12" hole (creating 25 holes in total).
    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 7
  6. 6Cut Angled Roof

    Use a miter saw to cut an angled roof line. Cut each side of the angle, 40 degrees off of square.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 8
  7. 7Draw Windows

    Use a ruler and narrow paint pen to draw windows around each hole and create a straight roof line.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 9
  8. 8Add Numbers

    Write a small number (1-25) in the lower corner of each window.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 10
  9. 9Clear Coat

    Apply 2-3 coats of a clear finish to protect your design.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 11
  10. 10Sawtooth Hanger

    Once dry, flip the board over, face-down onto your work surface. Carefully attach a sawtooth hanger to give yourself the option to hang the calendar on the wall.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 12
  11. 11Create Pin

    • Cut a 1" length of 1/4" round wood dowel. To make the pin easier to pull, glue a 1/2" length of 1/2" round wood dowel (or whatever shape you prefer) to the end of the 1/4" dowel.
    • Paint or finish however you'd like.
    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 13
  12. 12Add Chimney

    Carefully, cut a 1" x 1-1/2" x 3/4" chimney from the scraps created when the roof was angled. (When cutting such a small piece of material, make sure to secure the material to a sacrificial board and keep your fingers a safe distance from the saw blade). Attach the chimney to the roof of the board, using a fast setting glue.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 14
  13. 13Start the Countdown

    Starting on the 1st of December, place the pin in the corresponding date on the calendar.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 15
  14. 14More Tips and Ideas

    Head to www.PneumaticAddict.com for more DIY tips and ideas.

    Easy Advent Calendar House — step photo 16