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!

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

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.
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!
   
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.
   
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.
   
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”.

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!

Shop for supplies