It’s Fran, and I’m absolutely bursting with pride and a tiny bit of nostalgia today. Why? Because I’ve just completed the very last piece of what I consider to be my major crafting project for 2025: my glorious, 12-month advent calendar!

It was a commitment—a full year dedicated to keeping the Christmas spirit alive—but the journey of crafting an ornament for each and every month has been one of the most rewarding experiences. And now, I get to share the very last creation with you!

The December Reveal: Thinking of the ‘Present’

For the final month, the one that truly rings in the festive season, I chose a simple yet profoundly symbolic shape: a present!

You see, this whole project has felt like a journey through time. We started the year creating pieces that felt like the past, leading us all the way to this moment—the present—and it naturally sparks my imagination for what the future (2026!) will hold. A “present” felt like the perfect symbol to anchor us right here, right now, at the beautiful culmination of this creative year.

A Blast from the Past Fabric

Now, this isn’t just any present. I love connecting my projects, and this ornament is a perfect example of bringing the year full circle. The primary fabric I used for this little gift box is a beautiful, textured material that I actually created way back in February!

If you remember, I did a full tutorial on making ribbon fabric. I kept some of that special material aside, knowing it would be perfect for a future project. Using it for the very last ornament—from a February tutorial to a December finish—makes this final piece extra meaningful. It’s like a little historical footnote for the whole calendar!

Tying the Theme Together

To finish off my little present, I had to bring back a familiar element to truly solidify the overall theme of the calendar. I added a sweet, little scrunchie flower right in the middle. I’ve used this same type of embellishment on one of the other monthly ornaments, and it’s these tiny little details that pull the entire 12-slot project together.

It’s about having a common visual language across the whole piece—a delightful way to show that while each month had its own unique ornament, they all belong to one big, happy family!

A Labour of Love and Little Heirlooms

I’m truly thrilled with how the entire advent calendar has worked out. From the initial base—the machine-quilted piece with its twelve neat slots—to this final present ornament, it has been a true labor of love.

The most important step left? I need to put a date applique on it! Every single piece deserves to be dated. It turns a cute little craft into a true keepsake. In fact, looking at all twelve ornaments hanging together, I realize they’re more than just decorations; they’re little heirlooms. They capture my crafting journey of 2025 and will be brought out and cherished for years to come.

I hope you’ve enjoyed following this journey with me! It’s been an interesting ride from January to December, and it’s already got me thinking: what incredible crafting adventures await us in 2026?

Thank you for watching and for being such wonderful friends!