The excitement of counting down the days until Christmas is a cherished tradition for many families. One of the best ways to make the countdown even more special is with a DIY Advent calendar. These personalized, hand-crafted calendars are a fun way to get the whole family involved in the holiday spirit, and they allow you to put your own creative spin on a beloved Christmas tradition.
Instead of opting for a store-bought calendar, why not make your own? Whether you’re looking for something simple and rustic or a more elaborate and festive design, there are endless possibilities to explore. In this guide, we’ll explore some creative and fun DIY Advent calendar ideas that will bring joy and excitement to your home all month long!
1. Classic Box Advent Calendar: Organizing Treats with Style
Wooden Box Advent Calendar
A wooden box Advent calendar offers a charming, rustic look that works well with any holiday decor. Each compartment can be filled with small treats, notes, or tiny surprises. The boxes can be stacked to form a decorative structure, or hung on the wall in a grid-like pattern.
- Personalized Details: You can paint or stain the wooden boxes to suit your style. Add numbers on each box with stencils, stickers, or even a hand-painted design.
- Small Surprises Inside: Fill each compartment with candies, chocolate, small toys, or handwritten notes with fun activities like “watch a Christmas movie” or “bake cookies.”
Cardboard Boxes with Wrap
For a more affordable version of the wooden box idea, use small cardboard boxes covered in festive wrapping paper. Stack them neatly, or create a wall hanging.
- Easy DIY: Cut out numbers from construction paper or use holiday-themed stickers to number the boxes.
- Decorative Twine: Secure the boxes with a cute ribbon or twine for added charm.
2. Hanging Advent Calendar: Festive, Wall-Mounted Displays
Felt Pockets Advent Calendar
A hanging Advent calendar made from felt is soft, easy to make, and can be customized with any design you like. Sew or glue 24 small felt pockets on a piece of fabric, then decorate the backdrop with holiday-themed embroidery or appliqué.
- Personal Touches: Use a mix of red, green, white, and gold felt to create a Christmas-themed palette.
- Surprises for Each Pocket: Add a small note, toy, or piece of chocolate to each pocket. You could also include mini activities like “decorate a tree ornament” or “write a letter to Santa.”
Mini Gift Bags on a String
If you want a DIY project that requires minimal effort, hang 24 small gift bags from a piece of twine or string across your wall. You can hang them vertically or horizontally for a fun, colorful display.
- Variety of Bags: Use different sized bags, some decorated with cute Christmas prints, others plain for a more minimalist aesthetic.
- Interactive Fun: Fill each bag with a combination of small treats, activities, or family-oriented tasks.
3. Creative Tree Advent Calendar: Incorporating Nature and DIY Charm
Christmas Tree with Hanging Ornaments
Create a DIY Advent calendar shaped like a Christmas tree, using small ornaments, decorations, or envelopes. You can either build the tree with wooden planks or hang a string of lights on your wall to form a tree shape, then clip or hang 24 ornaments that contain surprises inside.
- Ornaments with Messages: Use small, clear plastic baubles or wooden discs and fill them with a note, piece of candy, or tiny trinket.
- Tree Decorations: Get creative with the decorations—use vintage buttons, miniature pinecones, or fabric ribbons to adorn the “tree.”
Mini Tree Garlands
If you’re short on space or want a more subtle approach, hang mini trees or pinecones on a garland that you can drape over a mantel, across a wall, or on a banister.
- Rustic Touch: For a rustic, eco-friendly approach, use mini felt or burlap trees, or even wooden stars with little pockets for surprises.
4. DIY Paper Advent Calendar: Minimalist and Fun
Paper Envelopes with Numbers
For a simple yet chic look, use paper envelopes in neutral or festive colors and string them up in a row. Each envelope can contain a surprise such as a sweet note, chocolate, or a small toy.
- Handmade Paper Envelopes: Craft your own envelopes from colored paper or repurpose old book pages for a vintage effect.
- Embellishments: Add glitter, stamps, or ribbon for extra style.
Origami Advent Calendar
For those who enjoy a creative challenge, try making an origami Advent calendar! Fold 24 tiny origami boxes, each with a secret surprise inside. These could be little folded stars, ornaments, or simple origami animals that your kids can fold together each day.
- Use Patterned Paper: Choose Christmas-themed origami paper or regular colored paper for a vibrant effect.
- Fun for the Whole Family: This is a great activity for family members to join in on, as everyone can take turns folding boxes and choosing what to place inside.
5. Interactive Advent Calendar: Activities for Family Fun
Daily Christmas Activities Calendar
Instead of the traditional candy-filled calendar, why not make a calendar with a fun holiday activity for each day? Create 24 small cards or envelopes, each containing an activity that brings the family together, like “go ice skating” or “make homemade Christmas cards.”
- Family-Friendly Fun: These activities could include baking, crafting, holiday movie marathons, or giving back through acts of kindness.
- A Mix of Surprises: Some envelopes could contain a fun challenge, like “dress up as Santa for the day” or “read a Christmas story.”
Puzzle Advent Calendar
For those who love a good challenge, create a DIY Advent calendar that involves putting together a holiday-themed puzzle. Every day, your family can solve one piece of the puzzle, with the completed image being revealed by Christmas.
- Puzzle Ideas: Use pieces of a puzzle to build a scene of Santa, a Christmas tree, or even a winter village.
- Creative Twist: Add some interactive components, like drawing a holiday picture or solving riddles alongside the puzzle pieces.
6. Upcycled Advent Calendar: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Designs
Repurposed Tin Cans
Give old tin cans a new life by turning them into a creative Advent calendar. Stack 24 cans and decorate them with festive paint, ribbons, and holiday motifs. Number each can and fill them with small gifts or treats.
- Eco-Friendly Touch: Using upcycled materials not only gives your calendar a unique look but also helps reduce waste.
- Fun Packaging: For an added surprise, you can wrap each can in a fabric scrap or paper bag, hiding the contents.
Old Jars or Containers
Repurpose old jars, mason jars, or even teacups as compartments for your Advent calendar. Stack them in a pyramid shape or line them along a shelf, and decorate them with holiday-themed washi tape or painted designs.
- Eco-Decor: These containers can be used over and over for future Advent calendars, making them both eco-friendly and reusable.
- Decorative Lid Toppers: Make the jars more festive with handmade lids, using fabric, glitter, or painted designs to make each jar look unique.
7. Advent Calendar with Family Photos: Personalized and Meaningful
Photo Hanging Calendar
One way to make your Advent calendar more personalized is to create a photo calendar. Hang 24 small photo frames, each containing a picture of your family, a beloved Christmas memory, or even a festive photo. You can make it even more interactive by writing a fun family activity or note behind each photo.
- Memory Lane: Each photo can be a trip down memory lane—like a snapshot from a past Christmas or a picture of your family doing something special together.
- Photo Clips or Pegs: Use clips or clothespins to hang the photos, giving your Advent calendar a charming, rustic touch.
Personalized Gift Bags
Instead of using typical boxes or bags, create personalized gift bags or small pouches with family photos. Each bag could include a memory, a treat, or a small token from the past year, making each day’s surprise meaningful.
- Custom Printed Bags: You can print your family photos onto small fabric bags or use holiday stickers to personalize each one.
- Memory-Filled Calendar: Fill each bag with a memory, a small surprise, or a fun note related to that photo.
8. Conclusion: The Magic of DIY Advent Calendars
DIY Advent calendars not only add a personal and meaningful touch to the holiday season, but they also provide an opportunity for family bonding and creativity. Whether you’re filling them with tiny treats, fun activities, or memorable photos, these calendars will keep the holiday spirit alive and make the countdown to Christmas extra special. Plus, they serve as a wonderful tradition that can be passed down for years to come, making them the perfect way to celebrate the season.
FAQs
1. What should I put in a DIY Advent calendar?
You can fill your DIY Advent calendar with small gifts like chocolates, candies, toys, or homemade items like coupons for fun activities. You could also include holiday-themed notes, fun family challenges, or inspirational messages.
2. How can I make an Advent calendar with minimal materials?
For a simple Advent calendar, use materials like paper envelopes, string, clothespins, or small gift bags. You can easily make them using items you already have at home, like old newspapers or fabric scraps.
3. Can I make a sustainable Advent calendar?
Absolutely! You can use eco-friendly materials like upcycled cardboard, old jars, or fabric scraps. Avoid plastic packaging, and focus on reusable or biodegradable components.
4. How can I personalize an Advent calendar?
Personalize your calendar by adding family photos, handwritten notes, or favorite treats. You can also fill the calendar with activities that are meaningful to your family, like movie nights or baking sessions.
5. What are some activity ideas for a DIY Advent calendar?
Activity ideas can include family movie nights, baking cookies, crafting homemade decorations, singing Christmas carols, or doing acts of kindness. Each activity should bring your family closer together and add to the holiday fun.
6. How can I make a hanging Advent calendar?
A hanging Advent calendar can be made using felt pockets, mini gift bags on a string, or envelopes pinned to a board. You can hang them vertically or across a mantel to create a decorative and functional display.
7. How do I make an Advent calendar from repurposed materials?
Use items like old jars, tin cans, or recycled cardboard to create compartments for each day. Decorate them with holiday-themed paints, papers, or fabrics to make them festive.
8. How can I make my Advent calendar interactive?
To make your Advent calendar interactive, include small tasks, like “decorate a gingerbread house” or “write a Christmas card.” Activities that involve the whole family will keep the excitement high each day.
9. How long does it take to make a DIY Advent calendar?
Depending on the complexity, making a DIY Advent calendar can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Simple designs, like paper envelopes or gift bags, can be completed in just a few hours.
10. Can I reuse my DIY Advent calendar each year?
Yes! DIY Advent calendars made from sturdy materials like wood, felt, or fabric can be reused year after year. Just refill the pockets or boxes with new treats or activities each season!