Customizable Christmas Advent Calendar

Get in the holiday sprint by creating your own Christmas advent calendar. Includes Photoshop template so you can add your own photos inside each card.

Learn how to make your own custom printable advent calendar! Click through to watch the video tutorial.

I know it seems like Thanksgiving just ended but the holidays are now upon us and before we know it, it will be Christmas! In an effort to help slow things down a bit and savor the season, I’ve created a customizable Christmas advent calendar for you.

Each day features a tiny card that you can customize in Adobe Photoshop Elements 15. I’ve created the template so all you need to do is place your favorite photos in it and print it out. The photos can be of your family, friends, or adventures you’ve had throughout the year. My advent calendar is full of little adventures Kevin and I can take this season like getting donuts for breakfast or going on a bike ride. I’ve used photos I snapped of donuts from our favorite shop and of my bike at the farmers market and hand wrote a note inside each card.

Learn how to make your own advent calendar in the video below and learn how to customize the template using Adobe Photoshop Elements 15 and the Adobe Elements Organizer 15 . Then you’ll have a head start on the holiday season!

Learn how to make your own custom printable advent calendar! Click through to watch the video tutorial.

Watch the video below to see how to make your own display board!

DIY Advent CalendarEvery year I always say I’m going to make an advent calendar and never get around to it, so this year I got a head start on the holidays and made this fun Christmas tree version! You can make it at home and join in on the tradition!

Created with Adobe Photoshop Elements

Posted by Sarah Hearts on Monday, November 28, 2016

 

Printable Photo Advent Calendar

Supplies

Advent Calendar Photoshop Elements 15 template

Photoshop Elements 15 Directions

  1. Gather 25 photos you want to use and open them in the Adobe Elements Organizer 15. I’m using some of my favorite iPhone photos I’ve taken this year.Use the Adobe Elements 15 Organizer to sort, label, and tag your photos.
  2. Edit your photos. Don’t let this intimidate you, the built-in Guided Edits (found in the top center menu bar) walk you through editing your photos one step at a time. I used the Guided Edits to adjust the colors of the photos and remove some small blemishes. My favorite ones to use are Brightness & Contrast, Enhance Colors, and Scratches and Blemishes. The last one is really cool—in just one click you can remove things from your photos!
    You don't need to be a designers to edit photos like a pro using Adobe Photoshop Elements 15's Guided Edits
  3. Open the Photoshop Elements template and enter Expert mode (found in the top center menu bar).
  4. Select one Advent Calendar number. In the layers palette, click the eye next to the advent calendar number you want to print. Make sure all other number layers are hidden; this is indicated by a red diagonal line through the eye icon.
  5. Place your own photo on the card. Grab one of the photos you added to the Elements Organizer from the Photo Bin at the bottom and then switch the dropdown menu from Show Open Files to Show Files Selected in Organizer. From there, you can drag and drop the photo you want to place. Rotate or make it smaller if necessary.
    Create your own custom advent calendar using Adobe Photoshop Elements 15
  6. Update clipping mask. In the layers palette, click on your new photo and drag it between the layer titled, “PLACE NEW PHOTO BELOW” and “Photo Template”. Hide the old photo by clicking on the eye icon next to that layer in the layers palette.
    Create your own custom advent calendar using Adobe Photoshop Elements 15
  7. Print out the advent calendar card on white copy paper or matte presentation paper. Cut it out using scissors or a paper cutter. Fold it in half length wise and then in half again keeping the number on the front side. Write your own advent message inside and clip onto the advent calendar tree. Repeat this with the other numbers.

Before I printed my advent calendar, I saved each number as a separate Photoshop file. Then I used the Picture Package feature to print 8 per sheet on an 11” x 17” page. You can use this same feature to print them out on a standard 8.5” x 11” page. Just be sure to change the individual image size to 3” x 4.5”.

Add your own photos to make a one-of-a-kind advent calendar this Christmas season!

Add your own photos to make a one-of-a-kind advent calendar this Christmas season!

Christmas Tree Display Board

Supplies

advent calendar Photoshop Elements 15 template
2′ x 2′ sheet of plywood
painter’s tape
craft paint
paint brush
25 small bulldog clips
super glue
copy paper
paper trimmer or scissors

Directions

  1. Use a ruler to find the center of the board and mark with a pencil.
  2. Apply painter’s tape on the wood board in the shape of a large triangle, leaving a few inches on the bottom for a tree trunk. Use your hands to press down on the inside edge of the tape to make sure it’s firmly adhered to the board.
  3. Paint inside the triangle and remove the tape immediately after you’re done painting. Allow it to dry.
  4. Apply tape on the lower part of the tree to create a tree trunk. Press the tape into place and paint inside. Remove the tape again while the paint is wet, and allow it to dry.
  5. Arrange all the clips on the tree. Use super glue to glue them down one at a time, pressing them down for a couple seconds to bond the clip onto the wood surface. I found a ruler to be really helpful aligning each clip.
  6. Once you’re done, add your advent cards and you’re ready for the season!

Learn how to make your own custom printable advent calendar! Click through to watch the video tutorial.Learn how to make your own custom printable advent calendar! Click through to watch the video tutorial.
Get ready for Christmas and print out this adorable advent calendar! Add your own photos inside each card with @AdobeElements. #ElementsCreators #sponsored

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This post was created in partnership with Adobe Photoshop Elements 15

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