35 DIY Advent Calendars
/Forget shop-bought calendars this year and countdown to Christmas with a DIY Advent Calendar. Who needs chocolate when you can have one of these handmade calendars instead?
From hanging mini stockings to a Christmas village, brown paper gingerbreads to individually wrapped gifts and homemade advent candles. With 35 to choose from, there’s a calendar here for kids (and adults) of all ages.
Grab your craft supplies and make a fun, new tradition this Christmas this Holiday season.
This post was originally shared in 2019 but has since been updated.
DIY Advent Calendars.
The Christmas countdown has officially begun. Why not swap a boring chocolate-filled advent calendar for something a little more personal this year?
There are 35+ DIY advent calendar ideas here for you to use as inspiration or follow the step-by-step instructions and make from scratch yourself. Any of them would make a fun and festive addition to any room and make counting down to the big day even more exciting.
Making your own advent calendar doesn’t have to be a huge project. With just a few basic supplies from the craft store and a little imagination, you can make something spectacular.
Oh, and don't think an advent is just for kids, there's even a stunning Advent candle that would be a great advent for any teen or adult.
Homemade Advent Calendar.
Advent calendars are a classic Christmas tradition that’s fun for all ages. Even now as an adult it’s one of my favourite festive activities and a big part of the magic of Christmas. It’s so much fun to get a little surprise every day, don’t you think?
You can go as simple as numbering and wrapping small gifts or as intricate as making your own hanging felt Santa. I love the decorated numbered houses and the bottle top stars are a great way of using something that would normally be thrown away.
There are even a couple of printable advent options, perfect if you’re running short on time. You can print out the templates and make your Christmas lights advent or download one of the Christmas activities printable and pop them in some homemade tiny envelopes.
All you need is a printer, some glue and a craft knife. You can’t get easier than that.
Fun Advent Calendar.
Big, small, paper, felt, stitched or crocheted. There are so many creative ways you can put a fresh and fun spin on them for the Christmas season.
Grab some felt and a sewing machine (or hot glue for the non-sewers among us) for a simple advent calendar in the shape of a Christmas tree. If sewing isn't your sort of thing, how about gingerbread men made out of brown paper bags? They're such an easy DIY advent calendar and they look fantastic.
Tailor the gifts to each family member and even add their name for a personalised touch. Fill your calendar with small toys, treats (candy canes, yes, please!) or even Christmas activities to make, do or give.
Need some advent calendar filler ideas? Check out this blog post for over 85 of the best from sweets to toys to fun activities.
Christmas Advent Calendar.
Normally we have one of those chocolate advent calendars from the shop but after seeing all these amazingly creative DIY options I’m excited to give making our own a go.
And the best part about making your advent? You get to have reusable advent calendars you can use year after year.
Bon Bon Advent Calendar
Fill each little package with treats, jokes, tattoos, things to do together.
DIY Christmas Countdown Wood Tree
Use the printable countdown numbers or just use a pen and write the number each day and then wipe clean at night.
Modern Matchbox Advent Calendar
Fill each box with a different activity.
Heirloom Stocking Advent Calendar
A Christmas advent you can use year after year.
Printable Advent Activities
Print them out and pop them in pockets or write your own.
Kraft Paper Gingerbread Man Advent Calendar
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
DIY Modern Advent Calendar
A modern black and white advent made using numbered gift tags.
DIY Advent Candle
Mark the day by burning the candle down to the next day.
DIY Paper Star Advent Calendar
Instead of goodies, each day open a paper star and find an activity to make together.
No-Sew Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
No sewing skills required to out this colourful advent together.
Printable Scratch Advent Calendar
Hide your jokes or activities behind clever scratch it stickers.
Crochet Advent Calendar
A lovely crochet advent using non-traditional Christmas colours.
Mini Christmas Tree Advent
Fill each bottle with a sweet things you love about each other.
DIY Felt Truck Advent Calendar
An advent that you can use again and again and.
Neon Ribbon Advent Calendar
A modern twist on traditional colours with these neon ribbon wrapped boxes.
Pink & Copper DIY Advent Calendar
An easy craft for an afternoon with the kiddos!
Modern DIY Advent Calendar
The ornaments are all hanging on a little brass finishing nail and can be removed to hang up each day or removed counting down.
Mini Mail Advent Calendar
Each little present is designed to look like a tiny, vintage package sent specially from the North Pole.
Screw Cap AdventCalender
Recycle those old milk carton lids with this clever star covered advent.
Christmas Ornament Advent Calendar
Inspired by cute and colourful baubles. Fill each one with your favourite candy.
Acts Of Kindness Calendar
This advent is such a lovely tradition to share with your family at the holidays!
DIY Paper Advent Calendar
Fill with candy and simply tear the paper each day to reveal what’s inside.
DIY Punch Box Advent Calendar
A punch box advent calendar with 24 prizes hiding in 24 holes and a big ol’ bonus prize hiding under that giant bow for the final day of advent.
DIY Printable Advent Village Calendar
A printable village advent, a perfect Thanksgiving weekend project, no?!
Star Garland Advent Calendar
A pretty star shaped box advent you can fill with gifts or sweets.
DIY Christmas Bulb Advent Calendar
This DIY Christmas bulb advent calendar is both functional and decorative! It’s perfect for hanging up around the house as a colorful decoration while holding treats to open each day.
DIY Christmas Village Advent Calendar
A fun and easy craft project that your can do with the kids, and bring it out year after year as a family keepsake!
Advent Calendar Village
This advent calendar idea so so charming! A tiny, handpainted Christmas village holds a daily advent gift in each house.
DIY Pastel Advent Calendar
All you need to do is fill your little Advent packages with fun gifts!! And now you have one less thing to worry about this Christmas!
DIY Paper Bag Advent Calendar
Perfect for filling with all kinds of yummy treats and goodies.
Colorful Printable Advent Calendar
This colorful printable Advent calendar template is great for stashing small treats, toys, and notes of fun things to do.
Colorful Houses DIY Advent Calendar
This DIY advent calendar is easy to recreate and gives you plenty of room for hiding goodies for the countdown to Christmas.
DIY Fabric Santa Advent Calendar
Not a last minute project but definitely worth all the time and effort, don’t you think?
Pegboard Felt Stocking Advent Calendar
A colorful DIY advent calendar to fill with treats!
DIY Wooden Cone Advent
A quick advent calendar using wood veneer.
What did you think? Will you be making your own DIY advent calendar this year?
While I know you can easily buy a chocolate advent from the store, there's something extra special about knowing you made something that's going to be a part of your whole family's Christmas tradition for years to come.
Want more Christmas crafts? You can find them all here or check out some of our favourites below:
