Do you ever walk through the dollar store and see something you just must have but don't have a clue why? Such was the case with a wooden tile board that I've had collecting dust for months, maybe even a year. Recently, I finally came up with an idea to repurpose it into a festive 12 Days Of Kindness DIY Advent Calendar.

12 Days Of Kindness Advent Calendar

Welcome to the 5th annual 12 Days of Holiday Ideas event, hosted by Shirley of Intelligent Domestications and Erlene of My Pinterventures. Between Nov. 11th and December 6th there will be hundreds of new ideas shared by over 55 Co-host bloggers!

Go here to see our kick-off collection of Holiday ideas as well as all of this year's talented participating DIY and Foodie Blogs.

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12 Days Of Kindness DIY Advent Calendar

At this time of year, I think it's important we pause amidst the hustle and bustle to be empathetic to those who may find the holidays a difficult time. What really matters are the simple gifts in life that cost very little or nothing but our time. Like smiling at a stranger - you never know how that simple gesture could have a huge impact on someone's day.

That was the motivation behind my 12 Days of Christmas advent calendar for the holiday tour today. Sure it's fun to get a treat every day leading to Christmas but it's even more rewarding to be on the giving end of making someone's life a little brighter.


For my advent calendar, you turn over a numbered door each day to find an act of kindness tag. I've included a free printable of the kindness tags further down in the post that you're welcome to download.


So here is where I started with this dollar store wooden tile board. Initially, I was going to make holiday coasters but the call to make an advent calendar was stronger and so it is.


But if you're looking for a fun advent calendar idea for children, last year I made this Santa House Christmas Countdown from a repurposed Laura Secord jam jar gift box.

Here's how I made the kindness advent calendar

Step 1 - Turning the tiles into doors 

The first step was turning the bottom six wood tiles into 12 vertical rectangular doors. With a straight edge, spring clamps, and a retractable utility knife I carefully cut the balsa wood tiles in half into twelve  2" x 4" doors. The rough edges of each tile were smoothed by hand with 150-grit sandpaper.

Step 2 - Painting the advent calendar

The frame is painted festive Red Barchetta FAT Chalk-Style Paint but any red chalky paint or acrylic craft paint will work just fine.

The inner part of the frame that the tiles sit in and each door both front and back are painted white with Behr Chalk Decorative Paint that I had on hand. Again, any chalk-style paint or acrylic craft paint is fine.

Step 3 - Adding typography 

The next step is gluing the top three painted tiles to the inside of the frame with a quick bond glue (see supply list).

I'm embarrassed to admit this but last year my children got together and bought me a Cricut Maker for Christmas and I just turned it on for the first time for this project. After a Cricut 101 crash course, I made a self-adhesive stencil with dollar store contact paper for the top half of the calendar. I don't know what took me so long because it really was quite easy! Now I want to Cricut all the things.

If you don't have a cutting machine to add the 12 Days Of Kindness typography, I share detailed step-by-step instructions here in my Image Transfer Technique With Graphite Paper tutorial. I didn't include an SVG file of my DIY stencil because, well frankly, I haven't a clue how.

I also stenciled a few present and star graphics (stencil in supply list).

Step 4 - Decoupage calendar doors

To make the doors festive, I decoupaged red and white polka dot wrapping paper onto the front of the doors with Mod Podge and a small foam brush.

To keep the pattern lined up nicely across each door it is easier to decoupage a sheet of paper on top of all the doors while they are set inside the frame (pictured above). But first, place some painter's tape along the top edges of the frame (pictured above) so the paper sticks to the removable tape rather than the frame.

Once dry, decoupage a couple coats of Mod Podge on top of the wrapping paper to make it more durable and less prone to ripping with use.

Once the Mod Podge is completely dry use a small retractable craft knife to cut along the edges of the tiles and to separate each tile. You may need to add more Mod Podge in some areas if the paper is lifted in some spots.

Step 5 - Labelling the calendar doors

Number each door with white self-adhesive stickers. Mine has a little festive sparkle.

Step 6 - Adding a handle on each door

Separate a strand of pretty silver bead garland and hot glue one to the front of each door to act as a handle.

Step 7 - Act of kindness tags on the back of the doors

On the back of each door attach a daily kindness tag with velcro dots. I've included a free printable of the kindness tags to download if you like. Just click your mouse over the image below for an unwatermarked printable download.

Now you're ready to brighten someone's day during the 12 days leading to Christmas but I urge you to keep the kindness going long after the holidays.

What you'll need to make it

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

Wooden Tile Board (Dollar Store)
Red Chalky Paint (or acrylic craft paint)
White Chalky Paint (or acrylic craft paint)
Red & White Christmas Wrapping Paper (or scrapbook paper)
Small Christmas Stencils
Mod Podge
Silver Bead Garland
White Number Stickers
DIY Stencil with contact paper (Cutting Machine)
Printable Tags (free printable included)
Hot Glue Gun
Quick Bond Glue
Velcro Dots
Straight Edge
Spring Clamps
Retractable Utility Knife
150-Grit Sandpaper


If you have any questions about the kindness advent calendar, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I'd be so thankful if you pinned this idea or shared it with a friend. With gratitude! -Marie


I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.


Now let's take a look at more advent calendar ideas created by the other talented co-hosts in today's leg of the holiday tour. Press the links below the pictures to see more.