Count Down to Christmas With Our Fun Advent Calendar Ideas
Count Down to Christmas With Our Fun Advent Calendar Ideas
The countdown to Christmas has officially started! The suspense accompanying the holiday season is partially why it is one of our favorite holidays in the first place. Each passing day is filled with the promise of fun, friends, and presents from Santa—what’s not to like? One of our favorite ways to savor the season is with Advent calendars, which is why we’ve rounded up the best DIY examples to help you and yours countdown to the 25th in style. These homemade calendars are perfect for tracking the days until Rudolph, and his pals, come galloping across your roof, and their ability to fit in any holiday decor scheme makes them even cuter.
We have rounded up enough ideas to ensure everyone in your family has an advent calendar to fit their style. Favor something more traditional? Try crafting our calendar made from the ornaments of Christmas long, long ago. We’ve got everything from a homemade Christmas cookie advent calendar to a fun gumball machine method to keep the kiddos entertained all season. No matter the skill set, or the style of your home, you’re guaranteed to find an Advent calendar you’ll love. And, if you’re not feeling super crafty this holiday season, we have rounded up some of our favorite kids' advent calendars you can buy.
Star Garland Advent Calendar
Stars aren't just for tree toppers! This symbol of Christmas also makes the perfect advent calendar. Boxes of various sizes can hold all kinds of gifts and surprises.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Christmas Lights Advent Calendar
Brighten up your house before you even put up your Christmas lights. Each colorful "bulb" comes with a sweet surprise!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Felt Truck Advent Calendar
Your kids will love their advent calendar regardless, but we think they'll take to this cute felt version even more. The truck is packed with goodies, just like Santa's sleigh!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Mini Boxes Advent Calendar
Sometimes the simplest projects turn out the prettiest. All this DIY calendar requires? Mini boxes, pom-poms, and number stickers for an easy, yet colorful, countdown.
Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.
DIY Fabric Advent Calendar
If you're handy with a needle and thread, you can craft this ultra-contemporary Advent calendar. Looking for a more traditional feel? Swap out the black and gray for red and green or other holiday colors.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Colorful Paper Bag Advent Calendar
This showstopper features an array of bold colors, but if that's not your style, feel free to swap 'em out for neutrals, soft pastels, or classic black-and-white.
Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Party.
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
You can use scrapbook paper to make the evergreens in this homey Advent calendar, and then for extra fun write Christmas activities inside the trees!
Get the tutorial at Tried and True Creative.
Hanging Bags Advent Calendar
Kids will get a kick out of this playful piece featuring paper bags covered in penguin-printed paper and other fun designs. It's just the thing to hang in their playroom come December!
Get the tutorial at A Subtle Revelry.
Paper Christmas Village Advent Calendar
Unlike most Christmas village sets, which will set you back a few hundred dollars, this handcrafted series costs next to nothing to make and still packs plenty of Christmas cheer.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Mason Jar Advent Calendar
Is just isn't Christmas without at least one Mason jar craft, is it? And this one even helps the kiddos count down to Christmas with sweet treats inside inside the jars.
Get the tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage.
Wood Pallet Advent Calendar
Opt for rustic, reclaimed wood for the base of this piece (think discarded pallets, leftover timber, or a set of planks) to make it fit in with the rest of your country chic decor.
Get the tutorial at Average But Inspired.
Rustic Chalkboard Advent Calendar
Thanks to this blogger's free template, you can easily fold and craft these cute advent boxes. While painting them silver makes them look like galvanized metal, we think gold, red, or white would match, too.
Get the tutorial at Houseful of Handmade.
Tin Can Advent Calendar
Repurpose empty containers (coffee and tea canisters, cans, etc.) to make this eye-catching arrangement on the cheap. This blogger filled hers with coffees, though you can stuff yours with cookies, candy, or other treats.
Get the tutorial at Look What I Made.
Customizable Christmas Advent Calendar
This colorful advent calendar forgoes traditional Christmas hues in favor of a more modern palette.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Galvanized Garland Advent Calendar
You can assemble and display this easy-to-make arrangement just about anywhere. Tie teeny metal pails to colorful ribbon and then hang alongside your favorite garland.
Yesteryear Trinkets
Hung inside an old hotel key cabinet, numbered gift tags adorned with tiny ornaments make for a homespun Christmas countdown.
Fireplace Advent Calendar
Let guests play Santa for a day! Instead of candy, fill advent calendar pouches with guests' names, then let that day's Saint Nick choose the activity, from caroling to cookie making.
Envelope Advent Calendar
Count down the days until Christmas with little paper envelopes, sized to hold all sorts of surprises: candy, tickets, tiny toys. Use rubber stamps to ink the dates, and other motifs, on the envelopes. You can also embellish them by adding tags, string, washi tape, and clip art. Then, simply pin the envelopes on a pretty corkboard.
Advent Blessings Jar
Not only do your kids count down to Christmas with this ingenious Advent calendar, every craft stick also reminds them of their blessings. Even better, they drop coins in the jar each day, which go to their favorite charity when all the sticks all gone.
Get the tutorial at Thirty Handmade Days.
Chalkboard Style
"This calendar was part-inspired by an old-fashioned borrowing system used at my primary school library," writes blogger Kristine. She also combined her love of typography and wall charts to complete the craft.
Get the tutorial at The Painted Hive.
Modern Advent Calendar
Countdown to Christmas in style with this monochromatic tree for a sleeker holiday look. Each gold and silver tag lists a "treat" to do for the day to match the minimalist theme of the calendar.
Get the tutorial at We Are Scout.
Pegboard Adventure Calendar
This twist on the Advent calendar features a daily idea for getting into the spirit.
Step 1: Draw outline of a tree on a pegboard. (Ours measures 24" W × 32" H.) Mark off outline with painter's tape. Paint tree green.
Step 2: Stitch green yarn through holes of painted tree, using a basic backstitch. Knot in back to secure.
Step 3: Use round paper punches to create 25 circles of colored paper.
Step 4: Stamp numbers 1 through 25 on the circles, then jot a holiday activity on opposite side. For our list of 25, check out our list of must-do Christmas activities.
Step 5: Clip circles to yarn with mini clothespins.
Step 6: Cut three stars measuring 3", 3 ?", and 4" from yellow paper. Use adhesive foam to affix stars from largest to smallest, then glue stack to top of tree.
Felt Calendar
With everyone peering out the window these days (searching for snow or flying reindeer), why not dress it up? Make this Advent calendar of muslin bags filled with treats and drape a garland of felt leaves along its frame.
Advent Calendar for a Crafter
This genius Advent calendar made from a 24-drawer craft organizer makes a great gift for the DIY-er in your life.
Get the tutorial at Chica and Jo.
Easy Advent Calendar Tutorial
It doesn't take much more than a couple of old shutters, some red paint and a card and envelope kit to whip up this nifty Advent calendar.
Get the tutorial at Ginger Snap Crafts.
Chalkboard Advent Calender
Customize this easy-to-make calendar by pining ornaments and dollar store finds to twine.
Get the tutorial at Thistlewood Farms.
Shoe Organizer
If this isn't repurposing at its finest, we don't know what is. A regular shoe organizer becomes a festive advent calendar for a fraction of the cost!
Get the tutorial at Elizabeth Joan Designs.
Wall Mounted Tree
Mounted on your wall, all eyes will be on this countdown tree that doubles as rustic decor.
Get the tutorial at The DIY Dreamer.
Upcycled Advent Calendar Tree
Not only can your family keep track of the days until Christmas with this cool DIY tree, they can feel good about upcycling old cardboard cores, too.
Get the tutorial at Chica and Jo.
Lots of Boxes
Use old jewelry boxes to create this bright and cheery board. Don't forget to get creative with patterns!
Get the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.
Gumball Machine Advent Calendar
This cute and charming Advent calendar crafted from vending machine capsules makes a perfect Christmas countdown for the littles in your life.
Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade.
DIY Chocolate Christmas Advent Calendar
Sometimes life really is like a box of chocolates, especially when you make this tasty Advent calendar with free printables.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Last-Minute Idea
In just 20 minutes, blogger Julie Blanner made an Advent calendar for her hallway using little more than kraft bags and fabric tape.
Get the tutorial at Coordinately Yours.
Oreo Cookie Balls
How can you resist an edible Advent calendar?! This genius idea uses homemade Oreo and caramel cookie balls to put an edible spin on the traditional calendar.
Get the tutorial at A Subtle Revelry.
5-Minute Calendar
No time to get super creative? No problem! Simply open up your supply drawer, grab some extra envelopes, and adhere them to an empty wall. Add embellishments like stickers or bows for pops of color.
Get the tutorial at A Few Things From My Life.
Recycled Calendar
Blogger Lorajean used old paper grocery bags to make "boxes" that she filled with small candies and treats.
Ge the tutorial at Whatever Dee Dee Wants.
Hanging Planters
Blogger Caroline used floral foam and number stickers to turn buckets from Dollar Tree into a bucket-and-branch Advent calendar.
Get the tutorial at The Feminist Housewife.
Reclaimed Wood
Use reclaimed wood, nails, and ornaments to make this rustic calendar.
Get the tutorial at Home Depot.
These DIY advent calendars are the cutest ways to pass the days until Christmas. From lights to garlands and more creative inspiration, we've got the best advent calendar ideas right here.