The holiday season is all about anticipation, and what better way to build that festive excitement than with a personalized advent calendar? While store-bought calendars are nice, making your own DIY advent calendar adds a touch of creativity and personality that can make the countdown to Christmas extra special. Here are some easy and fun DIY advent calendar ideas that you can put together with minimal supplies and a bit of holiday spirit!
Table of Contents
1. Envelope Advent Calendar
One of the simplest advent calendar ideas is to use envelopes! Here’s how to make it:
- Materials: 24 small envelopes, string, clothespins, number stickers or a marker, small treats, or notes.
- Instructions: Number each envelope from 1 to 24. Fill them with little notes, jokes, holiday activities, or small candies. Hang a string or twine on the wall and use clothespins to attach the envelopes in a line or zigzag pattern. You can even decorate the envelopes with stickers, stamps, or washi tape for added flair.
Tip: Mix up the surprises! Include coupons for activities like “Movie Night” or “Bake Cookies Together.”
2. Paper Gift Bag Calendar
Using paper gift bags adds an elegant touch to your countdown. Here’s how to do it:
- Materials: 24 small gift bags, number stickers, ribbon, or string.
- Instructions: Number the bags from 1 to 24. Fill each with a small treat, trinket, or note. Arrange the bags on a shelf, in a basket, or hang them on a garland using ribbon or string.
Tip: Choose a color scheme for the bags (like red, green, and gold) to match your holiday decor.
3. Mason Jar Advent Calendar
If you’re a fan of rustic charm, this mason jar advent calendar is the perfect choice.
- Materials: 24 small mason jars or clear containers, number stickers or tags, ribbon, small treats.
- Instructions: Fill each mason jar with a small gift, candy, or note. Decorate the jars with ribbon and attach numbered tags. Arrange the jars on a tray or shelf, and let the festive jars double as a holiday decoration.
Tip: For a cozy look, place the jars on a wooden tray and wrap them with fairy lights.Tip: For a cozy look, place the jars on a wooden tray and wrap them with fairy lights.
4. Matchbox Drawer Calendar
Transform ordinary matchboxes into a stylish and compact advent calendar!
- Materials: 24 matchboxes, wrapping paper, glue, number stickers, small treats.
- Instructions: Wrap each matchbox in festive wrapping paper, then stack them in a 4×6 grid to resemble a mini chest of drawers. Glue the boxes together and number each drawer. Fill each box with a small treat, toy, or note.
Tip: Add a ribbon handle or a bead to each drawer for a cute finishing touch.
5. Hanging Advent Calendar
This is an idea that gets really creative! Try to turn a mobile into a Christmas calendar by tying little gifts on strings. So cute!
6. Hanging Advent Calendar on Wreath
A similar idea is to re-purpose a Christmas wreath and hang the gifts on it. This adds so much Christmas atmosphere to your room.
7. Fabric Bags on Wall
This is a simple idea but you can get really creative with it. Grab some fabric bags like these in different colors or neutral ones and sew or iron numbers on them. You can present them in all kind of different ways like handing them on the wall in a tree formation.
8. Traditional Advent Chain and Candy Countdown
This is another fun one. Tie together a chain of little presents or treats and you end up with a chain that will get shorter every day the closer you get to Christmas!
9. Shoe Organizer
This is such a fun and easy diy idea. Use a shoe organizer and stencil or iron the 24 numbers the pockets. This one from Amazon would work perfectly for that.
10. Advent stocking
Using stocking is such a classic and this one by a beautiful mess looks so pretty as well! You can get really creative by choosing different socks and fabrics and make this an eye-catching Christmas decor piece.
11. Advent Cones
Using paper cones is another classic advent calendar idea. More commonly those cones are simply tied so that the content is not visible. But I love how we-are-scout used the cones to create ornaments to hang them from branches and added these pretty fabric birds, too adorable!
Final Thoughts
Creating a DIY advent calendar is not only a fun craft but also a way to make the holiday season more personal and memorable. The best part is that you can tailor it to your family’s tastes, whether it’s filled with sweet treats, fun activities, or heartfelt notes. With these easy DIY advent calendar ideas, you’ll be ready to count down to Christmas in style. Happy crafting!
Editorial Note: Morella&Ulalume Editors may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Furthermore the content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Prior to making any health-related decisions, including the use of supplements or dealing with decisions that can affect your mental health, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare provider.