Andrew Mawby: Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Ornament Advent Calendar

One of my favorite things about Christmas time is adding to our collection of handmade decor and ornaments. Who doesn’t love a little Christmas crafting?! This Christmas Ornament Advent Calendar is fun, affordable and you even get to whip out the glue gun. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be super time consuming- you can make all 5 ornaments, or just pick and choose your favorites. Once you make this Christmas Advent Calendar it is ready to be used year after year.

If we haven’t “e-met” before, my name is Ashlea, and you can find me blogging over at This Mamas Dance. I love decorating for Christmas, especially with fresh greens. Our mantel is one of my favorite spots to add reminders of the season…you can read about how I created a Classic Christmas Mantel here.

And no Christmas would be complete in our house without a fresh tree. We bundle up our kiddos and brave the cold- then decorate it together as a family. This year is going to be especially memorable with a new baby in the house.

If you are looking for a little holiday inspiration, you can see our full Christmas tour from 2016 here.

Let’s get started on this Christmas Ornament Advent Calendar.

Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Ornament Advent Calendar

Build the Frame

The first step is to create a frame and backdrop. For this you will need the following:

small piece of mdf or plywood, painted black, measuring 14.5″x 24.5″
wood for the frame (I used rustic timber)
- 2 pieces. 1×1″ cut to 24.5″
- 1 piece of 1×1″ cut to 15.5″
- 1 piece of 2×1″ cut to 18.5″
nail gun
2- 3″ wood screws
drill
25 sliced log discs
25 galvanized finishing nails
hot glue & glue gun

To assemble the frame use small brad nails on each of the corners, to tack them together. I chose to use a chunkier piece of wood on top, and overhung the sides by 1 1/2″, so for the top piece I pre-drilled a hole on each corner, then used a 3″ wood screw to attach the top rail to the side rails of the frame.

Attach the MDF panel to the back of the frame using small brad nails.

Next you are going to hammer the galvanized nails into the wood discs, then set them aside until you have made all of your ornaments.

You will then use your ornaments as spacers, and hot glue the log slices in place. It is going to look like this when you are finished. But before you get to gluing on the slices, let’s make those ornaments!

I created 5 sets of 5 custom ornaments, with a farmhouse feel. I love using blues and greens as a base in our Christmas decor- then I can inter mix neutrals, reds or even blush.

If you are looking for another Christmas craft with farmhouse flair, I’ve got a tutorial for a mini stocking garland here. Or perhaps you could incorporate a mini stocking as one of your ornaments, if for any reason you can’t track down the supplies I have listed.

5 Easy Handmade Farmhouse Style Ornaments

Ornament Supply List:

Hemp String for 25 ornaments (for making loops to hang your ornament)
narrow ribbon for 5 bows (wreath)
green garland ( wreath
5 log discs (chalkboard log)
Chunky Cream Yarn (Pom Pom)
wide ribbon for 5 bows (pine cone)
5 pine cones
5 birch bark cut outs OR 5 mercury glass ball ornaments
sharp scissors
hot glue gun & glue

Mini Wreath Ornament

Many of us have a collection of green garlands in our stash. I simply snipped three strands of greenery, and wove them together to form a small wreath. If you don’t have any faux greenery on hand, you can pick it up from a craft store or the dollar store.

Once you’ve created your wreath, it’s time to tie a small ribbon bow. I used blue and white striped ribbon to lend to the farmhouse style I love. Add a dab of hot glue to the back of the ribbon, and press in place. Finish it off with a hemp loop hot glued to the top centre of the wreath. Repeat this until you have 5 mini wreaths.

Pom Pom Ornament

I love the look of creamy fluffy pom poms. To create these you want to start with a chunky cream yarn. Wrap it around 2 fingers about 15 times, then pinch at the centre. Take a strip of yarn and tie it around to centre.

Cut the loops on top and bottom, and fluff until it resembles a pom pom. Trim any stray pieces until you have a nice round shape. Hot glue a hemp loop into the centre. Repeat this until you have 5 ornaments.

Chalk Board Log Slice Ornament

I first started making these wood slice ornaments many years ago, I love that you can make a variety of sizes. You can leave them plain, or add a circle of black paint to create a custom background for chalk art. A simple laurel, initial or festive word would be a cute addition. All you need to do is evenly slice a log, hot glue a hemp loop, and you are done! Repeat this until you have 5 ornaments.

Pinecone with a Festive Bow Ornament

Pinecones are cute on their own, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to incorporate this cute green and white gingham ribbon. I simply hot glued the hemp loop to the top of the pinecone.

I then added the gingham bows, using the wide ribbon. Easy peasy! Repeat this until you have 5 ornaments.

Birch Tree Ornament

I purchased these sweet little birch bark trees pre-cut, then added a hemp loop. You could try cutting your own shapes from birch bark, or hang a mini mercury glass ball- if you can’t find something similar. I’d love to see what you add for your 5th ornament, so be sure to share it on facebook if you make this project!

Once you have your 25 ornaments ready, it is time to finish the frame. Place the log slices evenly in five rows of five, using your largest ornament as a spacer.

Simply hot glue the rounds in place, hang your ornaments, and get ready to count down the days to one of the best times of the year!

Hang the ornaments on a mini tree, your Christmas tree- or count down by adding to the board each day if you are tight on space. I’d love to see how you personalize this project.