Snowy DIY Christmas Tree Shelf + Advent Calendar

Build this charming snowy Christmas tree shelf from a few boards and tools you have around. Then count down to Christmas with a fun advent calendar.

I absolutely love advent calendars. There's something so enjoyable about looking forward to a small gift or fun activity every day before Christmas. This DIY snowy Christmas tree shelf is the perfect home for an advent calendar and for counting down the days until Santa arrives!

The most adorable DIY snowy Christmas Tree Shelf lends itself to the perfect spot for an advent calendar. LOVE it!!

Materials for this adorable tree shelf cost under $25 at the time of writing. It was first shared as a Do-It-Herself project from Home Depot.

Learn how to make this wonderful Christmas Tree Shelf and put your own spin on this super cute decor. Perfect for the holidays!

When I first saw this Christmas tree shelf, I thought it was adorable, but I needed it to work for my home. I didn't need a key holder or any other hook-style holder along the bottom. What I did need was a place to display my advent calendar, which I've owned for a few years.

In the past I've strung my advent calendar cards across my kitchen chalkboard. But little hands can reach it there, so that spot hasn't worked well for a couple of years.

Enter the DIY Christmas tree shelf! It's the perfect place for our advent calendar. It's cute, and it can hang up high, out of reach of sticky 2-year-old fingers!

But honestly, you can make this shelf into anything you like! Personalize the decor, turn it into a cute spot for hanging keys, or simply use it as a decorative display. In my humble opinion, you can never have too many display shelves.

If you head out on a Saturday morning, you can build the tree shelf and decorate it however you like. Simple or fancy, it's entirely up to you.

What You Need to Make a DIY Christmas Tree Shelf + Advent Calendar

2 – 1 x 4 x 6 common pine boards
2″ screws (I only used 3)
Pack of 2″ brad nails
Pack of 1 1/4″ brad nails
Wood glue
Picture hanging kit
Stain or paint of your choice
Brass nail tacks
Chipboard numbers – these chipboard numbers are great, and you can decorate them with gold spray paint or any color you like. Glitter would look lovely, too!
Scrapbook paper
Mini clothespins
OR a 3-pack of flat black heavy-duty hooks {if you want to make it just like the workshop} and 3/4″ screws

Tools:

Circular saw (I use this circular saw and drill combo.)
Brad nailer
Drill
1/8″ drill bit
Tape measure
Carpenter's square
Clamps
Pencil
Safety goggles
Sanding block

How to Build a DIY Christmas Tree Shelf

Step #1. Measure and mark. Use your tape measure to size your boards according to the cut list below. I measure one cut at a time, cut it, then measure again. When I need several of the same piece, I use the first cut board as a template. It's quicker and keeps everything the same length.

Cut list:

5 – 8″ boards
1 – 7 1/4″ board
16 1/2″ board
15″ board
2 – 3 1/2″ boards (we'll cut a section off these)
5″ board
10 1/2″ board

Those 3.5-inch pieces look a little odd because we trim a corner off each one to make the shelf supports. Measure 3/4″ from the top-right and bottom-left corners and cut off the excess. I'm not sure what to call that piece, but hopefully this image helps.

Cut down the shelf supports! The most adorable DIY snowy Christmas Tree Shelf lends itself to the perfect spot for an advent calendar. LOVE it!!

That's how I had to clamp it down to cut it with the circular saw. Make sure you stay safe and wear those safety goggles!

Step 2. Use the sanding block to smooth any rough edges.

Step 3. Stain or paint the boards. I stained mine with Early American from Minwax, then lightened it with some white wax and SnoFlock.

Step 4. Assemble the sides. Build side A by overlapping three 8″ sections, each by 3/4 inch. Fasten them with 1 1/4″ brad nails. Build side B by overlapping two 8″ sections and one 7 1/4″ section, each by 3/4 inch, and nail them with 1 1/4″ brad nails. Apply glue to all the joints and let dry.

Assemble the sides! The most adorable DIY snowy Christmas Tree Shelf lends itself to the perfect spot for an advent calendar. LOVE it!!

This is roughly what each side looks like when finished. The one below is upside down. I nailed them this way so the nail holes end up on the inside of the tree.

Step 5. Join the sides. Line up side A and side B at the top. As in the photo below, the shorter (7.25″) side goes beneath the longer side. Join the two sides by driving 2″ nails through the top of side A with the brad nailer.

Step 6. Bend the frame. This next step may seem strange, because it did to me too, but trust the process. Carefully bend the assembled sides down until they are 16.5″ apart. Check periodically against your 16.5″ board so you don't bend them too far. This is why gluing and nailing the sides together is a good idea. I hadn't glued mine at first, and they wanted to come apart a little during this step.

Step 7. Attach the shelves. Attach the bottom shelf (the 16.5″ board) to the bottom of the two sides with 1.25″ brad nails and wood glue. Then attach the other two shelves with brad nails and glue.

Step 8. Build the bottom section. Set the 15″ board perpendicular to the bottom shelf, leaving room for the shelf braces on each side. Attach it to the bottom shelf with 1.25″ brad nails, then screw it in with 1.25″ screws. Pre-drill the holes to prevent splitting.

Then add the shelf braces to each side of the 15″ board using 1.25″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 9. Attach the hanging hardware. Mount the picture hanging kit across the back of the shelf. Hang it on the included hook or an existing hook. It holds up to 30 pounds.

Step 10. Add embellishments and the advent calendar (or hooks). I tapped the brass nail tacks along the front of the shelves, then tied green twine to each one.

Add brass nail tacks for the Advent Calendar ... The most adorable DIY snowy Christmas Tree Shelf lends itself to the perfect spot for an advent calendar. LOVE it!!

That lets me clip the numbers and cards on with the clothespins.

Hang it up and enjoy!

Ideas for Making Your Own Advent Calendar

You can create an advent calendar like this from any cute holiday-themed scrapbook paper. Just write your daily wishes on the back and you're all set! You can even buy some chipboard numbers, paint them gold, and you'll be ready to go!