Christmas Day Countdown Sign – Cute & Easy DIY Holiday Project

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE CHRISTMAS DAY COUNTDOWN SIGN FILE

Get the free Christmas Day Countdown Sign SVG cut file from my free resource library. You'll find the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post.

You can find the pattern by searching the page for design "252" — you can get an SVG cut file for cutting with a Cricut or another cutting machine, and a printable PDF for cutting by hand.

STEP 2: PAINT THE COUNTDOWN SIGN

I recommend painting the panel sign the day prior so the paint has time to dry. Apply light layers of paint with a wet paintbrush. If needed, apply a second layer. Apply the paint with effortless strokes in the direction of the wood grain. Here I am applying my second coat of paint.

STEP 3: CUT THE COUNTDOWN DESIGN

You can cut this project by hand or with a cutting machine. If you'd prefer to cut this pattern out with your Cricut cutting machine, here’s what the Christmas Countdown Sign SVG cut file will look like once uploaded to Cricut Design Space. Don't worry about the way it looks here — just click the "Make It" button to cut it out.

Tip: If you're not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made.

My Christmas Day Countdown Sign uses three different types of vinyl. The lettering and snowflakes use premium vinyl, also known as permanent adhesive vinyl. The black belt uses chalkboard vinyl and the gold belt buckle uses glitter vinyl. Make sure that you choose the appropriate material for each mat before cutting.

Be sure to place your adhesive vinyl pretty side UP on your cutting mat — you do NOT have to mirror adhesive vinyl.

After your vinyl is cut, weed the pieces with a weeding tool.

Next, apply regular transfer tape on the lettering. You'll want to use strong grip transfer tape for the gold glitter vinyl — look inside your roll of vinyl for a sheet of Strong Grip transfer tape.

I did not use transfer tape for the chalkboard vinyl pieces because they are very easy to handle.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE THE CHRISTMAS DAY COUNTDOWN SIGN

With all your vinyl pieces ready it's now time to put the sign together. Find the horizontal center of your sign and measure 10.25" from the top of the sign. This is where the top of the belt buckle will be placed. I used a chalk pencil to mark this on my sign.

Fold the belt buckle vinyl in half and then put a slight crease in the vinyl to identify the center.

Remove the backing from the Belt Buckle (Glitter Vinyl). Take the largest piece of chalkboard vinyl and layer it behind the belt buckle vinyl.

This is what your piece should look like on the front.

Remove the backing from the layered belt buckle/chalkboard piece. Center it on your board with the top edge of the vinyl at 10.25" from the top of the sign. Use a scraper tool to press the vinyl down.

Remove the transfer tape from the vinyl buckle.

Use a ruler to align the right side of the chalkboard belt.

Remove the backing from the chalkboard vinyl and add it to the sign.

Use a ruler to align the left side of the chalkboard belt and apply it to the sign.

Use a knife to cut the excess chalkboard vinyl from the sign.

Align the "Ho! Ho! Ho!" lettering so the top of the words measures 1" down from the top of the sign.

There are approximately 3" on each side of Ho! Ho! Ho!

Use your scraper tool and apply the vinyl to your sign.

This is what your sign should look like at this point.

Now it's time to add "Christmas comes in" to the sign. I placed "Christmas" approximately 4.5" from the top and centered.

There are approximately 2" on each side of the word Christmas.

Remove the backing from the lettering and apply the vinyl to the sign with a scraping tool.

The last piece of lettering to add is the word 'Days'. Center the vinyl below the belt buckle and use a scraping tool to apply the vinyl to the sign.

Next, take the snowflakes and place them on your sign. Feel free to adjust the size of the snowflakes before cutting them and even add more by using the duplicate tool in Cricut Design Space. This is where I placed my snowflakes. Use your scraping tool to apply all the snowflakes to the Christmas Day Countdown Sign.

If you plan to apply a clear coat to the top of your sign (optional), make sure all of your vinyl pieces are thoroughly applied to the sign. Next, use some painter's tape to cover the chalkboard vinyl.

Using some velcro, wrap the soft side of the velcro around your chalkboard marker.

Take the prickly side of the velcro and stick it to one side of your sign. Now your chalkboard marker will always be with your Christmas Day Countdown Sign.

To make this sign easy to put up for the holidays without additional nails in the wall, I applied Command strips to the back of the sign. So when the holiday is over the sign is easy to remove without any damage to your wall.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

And this is what my finished Christmas Day Countdown Sign looks like. Isn't this festive? I love the bright red sign! But my favorite thing is how easy it is to write the number of days until Christmas arrives!