Advent calendars are a cherished holiday tradition, building excitement and anticipation for Christmas by offering a daily surprise in the lead-up to December 25th. While store-bought calendars are convenient, making your own DIY advent calendar allows you to customize it to your family’s interests, create something unique, and make lasting memories. Plus, it’s a fun project that everyone can contribute to!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create a DIY advent calendar that’s creative, meaningful, and full of holiday spirit.
1. Decide on the Style of Your Advent Calendar
The first step in creating your DIY advent calendar is choosing a format that works best for your family and space. Think about how much room you have, how much time you can devote to the project, and the overall look you’re going for.
Popular Styles of DIY Advent Calendars:
- Hanging Pockets: Fabric or paper pockets strung together like a garland, hung on a wall, or displayed on a string.
- Mason Jars or Boxes: Small jars or decorated boxes arranged on a table, shelf, or mantelpiece.
- Wall Display: A flat, wall-mounted design with envelopes, envelopes, or pinned-up paper bags.
- Tree-Shaped Calendars: Arrange small gift boxes or bags in the shape of a Christmas tree for a festive display.
- Reusable Wooden Calendars: If you’re handy with tools, you can build a wooden calendar with pull-out drawers or numbered cubbies.
Pro Tip:
Choose a style that reflects your family’s personality—whether it’s rustic, modern, or colorful and playful!
2. Gather Your Materials
Once you’ve chosen a style, gather the materials you’ll need to bring your DIY advent calendar to life. Many of these items are budget-friendly and can be found at craft stores, dollar stores, or even around your home.
Common Materials:
- Base Materials: Cardboard, wood, fabric, or paper bags (depending on your chosen style).
- Decorations: Ribbon, twine, stickers, stamps, washi tape, or small ornaments.
- Numbering Supplies: Pre-made numbered stickers, stencils, or markers to number each day from 1 to 24 (or 25).
- Fasteners: Clothespins, glue, double-sided tape, or small hooks to secure items.
- Containers: Jars, boxes, envelopes, or mini stockings for holding surprises.
Pro Tip:
You can upcycle materials like mason jars, old gift wrap, or leftover fabric scraps to save money and add a personal touch.
3. Customize the Contents
The beauty of a DIY advent calendar is that you can completely customize the surprises inside. Tailor the contents to your family’s preferences, whether it’s small treats, activities, or heartfelt notes.
Ideas for Advent Calendar Fillers:
- Treats: Chocolate, candy canes, or homemade cookies.
- Small Gifts: Mini toys, trinkets, keychains, or Christmas ornaments.
- Holiday Activities: Write down festive activities like “Bake cookies,” “Watch a Christmas movie,” or “Build a snowman.”
- Craft Supplies: Mini art supplies like stickers, glitter, or crayons for kids to use throughout the season.
- Love Notes: Include handwritten notes with thoughtful messages or fun riddles.
Pro Tip:
Consider age-appropriate surprises for each family member. For adults, you might include small bottles of wine, coffee pods, or skincare samples!
4. Decorate Your Advent Calendar
A festive design is what makes your DIY advent calendar extra special. This is your chance to get creative and add seasonal flair to the calendar.
Decorating Ideas:
- Use Holiday Colors: Stick to traditional Christmas colors like red, green, gold, and silver, or choose a color palette that matches your home’s holiday décor.
- Add Sparkle: Use glitter, metallic paints, or sequins to make your calendar shimmer.
- Incorporate Nature: Add pinecones, sprigs of greenery, or twine for a rustic touch.
- Personalization: Add family names, initials, or even small photos to make the calendar feel unique.
Pro Tip:
If you’re short on time, use pre-made stickers or stencils to decorate the calendar quickly and beautifully.
5. Arrange the Calendar
Now it’s time to arrange your calendar so it’s ready to display and use. Depending on the style you’ve chosen, there are several creative ways to set it up.
Arranging Ideas:
- Wall Display: Attach numbered envelopes, bags, or pockets to a string with clothespins, and hang them on the wall.
- Christmas Tree Shape: Arrange jars, boxes, or bags in a triangular shape to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Mantelpiece Garland: Drape small stockings or gift bags across the mantelpiece.
- Ladder Display: Lean a wooden ladder against the wall and use it to hang pockets or envelopes.
Pro Tip:
Use string lights to highlight the calendar and add a magical glow to the display.
6. Add a Countdown Element
To make the calendar even more engaging, add a countdown element to help track the days until Christmas.
Countdown Ideas:
- Chalkboard Sign: Write the number of days left on a small chalkboard near the calendar.
- Mini Clock: Attach a small clock or spinner that you can adjust each day.
- Moveable Pieces: Use a small figurine, like a Santa or star, and move it to a new position on the calendar each day.
7. Involve the Whole Family
Creating and using a DIY advent calendar is a perfect family activity. Get everyone involved in the process to make it more meaningful.
Ways to Include Everyone:
- Craft Together: Assign each family member a task, such as decorating envelopes, wrapping gifts, or writing activity cards.
- Daily Surprises: Take turns opening each day’s surprise to build excitement for everyone.
- Family Themes: Choose a theme for the calendar, like “Family Movie Nights” or “Acts of Kindness,” and customize the contents accordingly.
Pro Tip:
For younger kids, make the opening process interactive by including clues or mini scavenger hunts leading to the day’s surprise.
8. Add a Meaningful Twist
If you’d like your advent calendar to go beyond treats and gifts, incorporate meaningful or charitable elements to reflect the spirit of the season.
Meaningful Ideas:
- Acts of Kindness: Include daily prompts like “Donate a toy,” “Bake cookies for a neighbor,” or “Write a thank-you note.”
- Gratitude Notes: Encourage each family member to write something they’re grateful for and read them together on Christmas Day.
- Donation Challenge: Set aside a jar near the calendar and add a small donation each day for a cause your family supports.
9. Store and Reuse Your Calendar
Once the holiday season is over, carefully store your DIY advent calendar so you can reuse it in the future.
Storage Tips:
- Reusable Elements: Use durable materials like fabric, wood, or sturdy paper to ensure your calendar lasts for years.
- Organize Contents: Label or group the pieces for easy assembly next year.
- Flat Storage: If your calendar is wall-mounted, carefully fold or roll it up for storage.
Conclusion
A DIY advent calendar is a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday season while adding a personal touch to your family’s traditions. Whether it’s filled with sweet treats, heartfelt notes, or fun activities, your advent calendar will bring joy and excitement to every day leading up to Christmas. With a bit of creativity, some craft supplies, and a sprinkle of holiday spirit, you can design a calendar that your family will cherish for years to come.
FAQs
1. What materials can I use for a DIY advent calendar?
You can use paper bags, mason jars, small boxes, envelopes, fabric pockets, or even old stockings. Add decorative touches with ribbons, twine, stickers, or paint.
2. What are some filler ideas for kids?
Kids love small toys, candy, holiday stickers, mini coloring pages, or tickets for fun family activities like movie nights or hot cocoa bars.
3. How can I make an eco-friendly advent calendar?
Use reusable materials like fabric bags, wooden boxes, or recycled paper. Fill it with sustainable surprises, like DIY crafts or acts of kindness.
4. Can I create an advent calendar without gifts?
Absolutely! Focus on holiday activities like “Decorate cookies,” “Sing Christmas carols,” or “Watch a Christmas movie together.”
5. How do I make the calendar fun for teens or adults?
For teens, include skincare samples, gift cards, or accessories. Adults might enjoy gourmet chocolates, mini bottles of wine, or handwritten love notes.
6. How do I keep the calendar budget-friendly?
DIY your calendar using upcycled materials and keep fillers simple with items like homemade treats, free holiday activities, or small notes of encouragement.
7. Can I make an advent calendar last-minute?
Yes! Use envelopes or paper bags, number them with a marker, and hang them with clothespins on a string. Fill them with easy treats or activities.
8. How can I make the advent calendar interactive?
Include riddles, scavenger hunt clues, or challenges that family members must complete to find their daily surprise.
9. What are good themes for advent calendars?
Themes like “Winter Activities,” “Kindness Calendar,” or “Holiday Crafts” work well. Tailor the theme to your family’s interests for extra fun.
10. How can I make the advent calendar a family bonding experience?
Get everyone involved in decorating and filling the calendar. Incorporate family activities as daily surprises to create cherished holiday memories.