Nov
24
do it yourself advent calendar ideas

The‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌ holiday season has its own special kind of joy, and among the most charming traditions is certainly the countdown to Christmas by means of an Advent calendar. It is true that the calendars that can be bought in stores are convenient; however, DIY Advent Calendars still give something that is more personal, meaningful, and ‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌exciting. In addition, they give us the liberty to bring in our own ingenuity, tailor each surprise, and make moments that our families will hold dear forever.

We have collected the best easy and cheap Do It Yourself Advent Calendar Ideas to Try This Christmas in this guide to make your festive season fabulous.

Decide‍‌ What Kind of Advent Calendar You Would Like to Make

There are countless ways to make a custom Advent calendar that reflects not only your time and budget but also your child’s interests as well. And don’t forget, the surprises inside do not have to be new or costly toys. 

A movie night, a special activity, or even a treasure can be just as delightful for a Christmas story advent calendar.

  • Gift bags or boxes: Collect 24 small bags, custom advent calendar boxes, or envelopes that your kid will be able to open each day. Stuff them with tiny gifts, treats, or activity cards.
  • Hanging packages: Wrap small gifts and hang them on a string with numbered pegs. Decorating‌ your Christmas with bright gift bags or small boxes will make the whole thing look extra warm and inviting.
  • Wall display: Create a lovely display by sticking small bags, envelopes, or pockets to a cork‍‌board. It is both a lovely Christmas decoration and a daily ‍‌countdown.

How Does An Advent Calendar Work

An‍‌ advent calendar is a way of revealing a small door or window each day from December 1st to December 24th. Each reveal shows a small present, such as a chocolate, a toy, or a small note, that counts down the days until Christmas. It is really a lovely and great method to create anticipation and share the holiday season.

How Many Days Are In The Advent Calendar

Typically,‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌ an Advent calendar consists of 24 days, starting from the 1st of December and finishing on the 24th of December.

Why are DIY Advent Calendars Becoming More Popular Every Holiday Season

DIY advent calendar boxes

Having a homemade Advent calendar is a way to put in some love that a ready-made one simply cannot. It is not just the numbers anymore; each day is a little ‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌party.

With DIY advent calendar boxes to try this Christmas, we are able to select the styles that go with our house décor, personalize gifts according to the different age groups, and also use old materials to make our holiday crafts eco-friendly. Moreover, a homemade calendar is a way of encouraging bonding. If children are involved in the making process or we surprise our loved ones with unusual gifts, a DIY Advent calendar is a source of love and inventiveness during the festive season.

Look at the following Do It Yourself Advent Calendar Ideas to Try This Christmas given below!

DIY Advent Calendar With Kraft Paper Bags

What is often used as one of the easiest and most versatile designs of a DIY project is the use of simple kraft paper bags. These‌ bags will work well for edible goodies, mini toys, cards, or small gifts. Each bag can be numbered differently with the help of stickers, stamps, or by writing numbers on tags ‍‌manually.

Why It Works: Kraft bags are cheap, desirable, multifunctional, and reusable advent calendar ideas. Their earthy brown color harmonizes perfectly with either a rustic or Scandinavian style of Christmas décor.

Envelope Wall Advent Calendar

In case you want something more refined and classy, then an envelope Advent calendar would be just what you need. It is very thin, simple to hang, and ideal for those families that opt for experience-based gifts rather than treats or toys.

How to Make It

  • Take 24 beautiful envelopes.
  • Insert card activities such as “Bake cookies,” “Watch a Christmas movie,” or “Make holiday crafts.”
  • String envelopes together or use a corkboard to pin them.

What Makes It Different: Besides the fact that it doesn’t involve tangible gifts, this calendar serves as a means for us to produce lovely memories with the family.

DIY Wooden Crate Advent Calendar

You‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌ can transform wooden crates or small drawers into a stylish Advent display with a rich glam look. If the idea of having a solid structure that becomes a yearly tradition fascinates you, then this concept is simply perfect.

How to Make It

  • Find a wooden box with small drawers or a crate of miniatures.
  • Paint or stain the wood either red, white, or green, the colors of the Christmas season.
  • Put on the stickers or the numbers that are hand-painted.

Pro Tip: Place puzzles, pieces of jewelry, small candles, or DIY crafts in the drawers. This idea is great for turning into holiday ‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌décor.

Hanging Ornament Advent Calendar

Advent‍‌ countdowns with holiday ornaments can be a festive twist to the traditional boxes or bags.

Steps to Create

  • Choose 24 ornaments of various colors or shapes.
  • Number each ornament with labels or stickers.
  • Put‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌ them on branches, a wreath, or a decorative wooden frame.

Why It Is Good: Besides being a nice way to decorate your home during the countdown to Christmas, it is also a fun ‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌activity.

Fleece Pocket Advent Calendar

One idea that is soft, cozy, and charming is to fabricate an Advent calendar with fabric pockets.

Materials Required

  • Fleece or felt pieces
  • A sewing kit or fabric glue
  • Number stickers or embroidered patches

Directions

  • Cut 24 pockets of the same size.
  • Set them against a fabric background.
  • Use‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌ festive and season-specific borders, snowflakes, or Christmas trees to decorate your pocket calendar.
  • What about some chocolates or tea bags or small gifts that you wrap and then put in each pocket?

Reason It Is Good: The concept stays forever, is appropriate for children, and is a nice way to share that cozy, warm, homemade vibe with your holiday ‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌decoration.

Recycled Box Advent Calendar

The concept of using a cardboard box is not only earth-friendly but also quite economical, by making use of the leftover pieces of boxes, matchboxes, or small printed packaging ‍‌containers.

Creation Process

  • Find‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌ 24 boxes that are small.
  • Put paper on them like the one you use to wrap presents, or paint them, or put some ribbons on them to make them look nice.
  • Give a number to each box and make a Christmas tree figure with those boxes on a board or table.
  • Give them gifts of earth-friendly things like plant seeds, soaps that are handmade, or notes.

Mother Earth-Friendly Bonus: This idea helps us reduce the waste that is generated while we are making ‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌something.

Bucket Advent Calendar

The calendar with a bucket theme is adorable and contemporary, and can be a great idea for larger gifts.

Steps to Create

  • Obtain 24 mini metal or plastic buckets.
  • Put them, with the help of a board, ladder, or hanging rod, one over another.
  • Write the numbers on them and fill each bucket with mini toys, stationery items, or treats.

Why Love It: The calendar adds a farmhouse charm and, unlike envelopes or bags, can hold bigger ‍‌gifts.

Balloon Pop Advent Calendar

If‌ you are choosing a fun and interactive method to count days, a balloon calendar is certainly the way to go. It makes every day exciting. 

Instructions

  • Put small treats or notes in the balloons.
  • Blow up each balloon and number it.
  • Fix balloons to a firm surface.

Unique Feature: The kids are thrilled to burst the balloons daily for the treat inside!

Cookie Sheet Magnetic Advent Calendar

A regular cookie sheet can easily become a magnetic Advent calendar that is just perfect for the kitchen.

How to Make It

  • Decorate the cookie sheet with paper.
  • Make 24 magnets with bottle caps or wooden circles.
  • Put the activities or treats under each magnet.
  • Great because it can be used next time and is small and nice to look at.

What To Put Inside an  Advent Calendar Ideas

First, here are some thoughtful and budget-friendly ideas for what to put in Advent calendar.

For Kids

  • Stickers
  • Mini toys
  • Chocolates
  • Story cards
  • Coloring pages
  • Puzzle pieces

Adults

  • Tea bags
  • Beauty samples
  • Affirmation notes
  • Bath salts
  • Chocolates
  • Pocket diaries

Families

  • Activity cards
  • Movie suggestions
  • Recipe cards
  • Mini games

It is important to note that adding a variety of surprises will make every day feel special and joyful.

Final Thoughts

Do it yourself advent calendar ideas to try this Christmas are the ways in which personalization, creativity, and love come into the holiday season. Advent‌ calendars unlock the possibility to live the daily delight, create memories, and celebrate the countdown to Christmas in our own special way. It does not matter which style you prefer; a DIY Advent calendar is there for your style. 

With simple materials and love, we can produce something that will be kept in the memory of our families and loved ‍‌ones ‍‌forever.