This project puts a fresh twist on the classic grab-box advent calendar by turning a punchboard into a punch-box—inspired by the Punch a Bunch game from The Price Is Right. The result is a playful advent calendar with 24 hidden prizes behind punchable tissue-covered holes, plus a larger surprise tucked under a big bow for the final day.
Supply list:
Use everything recommended for a grab-box advent calendar, plus the following extras:
- Plastic or paper bowls (small)
- Tissue paper
- Double-stick tape
- Fringe garland, tinsel, or other trim
To make the punch-box advent calendar:
- Follow the steps from a standard grab-box tutorial, but leave the bottom of your box open and unwrapped so you can access the interior.
- Cut 24 holes in the box—just slightly smaller than your bowls. Arrange them however you like; the example shows six holes per side.
- Turn the box upside down and place strips of double-stick tape on the interior around and between the holes. This tape will hold tissue paper in place.
Carefully press a sheet of tissue paper onto the double-stick tape from the outside of the box. Wrinkles are fine—this layer will be punched through. If you want the holes to be less translucent, add a second layer of tissue paper on top.
Prepare your 24 small prizes and place each prize into a bowl. Run a thin bead of hot glue around the rim of a bowl and press the rim to the inside of the tissue-covered hole so the bowl holds the prize in place behind the tissue. Repeat this for every hole, making sure each prize is inside its bowl before you glue it into position.
For the final, larger prize, either slide a bigger item into the box via the top opening or use the same tissue-and-bowl method on the top face of the box. Secure the top opening with a large decorative bow to hide the bonus prize until the last day.
To tidy up the cut edges around each hole, glue fringe trim, tinsel, or another decorative border around the openings. This hides any rough cuts and gives the calendar a finished, festive look.
Once everything is glued and decorated, your punch-box advent calendar is ready. Each day, punch through the tissue covering one hole to retrieve that day’s surprise. The structure keeps the prizes neatly hidden and creates a satisfying reveal for each day of advent.
Punch away and enjoy the countdown—this version of the advent calendar is interactive, festive, and easy to customize with small toys, candies, notes, or other surprises that suit your family’s traditions.
All photos by Studio DIY
Looking for more DIY projects? Browse seasonal project galleries or other holiday tutorials for more inspiration. And if there’s a holiday giveaway running, don’t forget to enter before it ends!