Gone are the days of simple chocolate-filled cardboard boxes—though those are still delightful! Instead, we invite you to explore a wonderland of DIY delights and innovative twists on the classic advent calendar concept. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter looking for fresh inspiration or a newcomer eager to infuse your holiday traditions with a touch of homemade charm, this article has something special in store for you.
So gather your supplies, ignite your imagination, and join us through these 40 Advent Calendar Crafts and Ideas. Let’s make this holiday season one to remember—one handmade treasure at a time!
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1. Christmas Countdown Snowman Calendar
What sets this calendar apart is its versatility and creativity—each pocket can be filled with small treats, trinkets, or even handwritten notes, making it a personalized and memorable way to count down to the holiday.
2. Advent Calendar Christmas Tree from Toilet Paper Rolls
The Advent Calendar Christmas Tree from Toilet Paper Rolls is a creative and eco-friendly DIY project that repurposes everyday materials into a festive countdown centerpiece.
3. The Simplest Advent Calendar Ever
This DIY project consists of numbered envelopes or pouches displayed on a string or a board. It requires minimal materials and effort. Crafters can personalize the envelopes with decorations or leave them plain for a sleek look.
4. DIY Photo Advent Calendar
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast looking to showcase your favorite snapshots or a sentimental soul seeking a heartfelt way to countdown to Christmas, the DIY Photo Advent Calendar is a wonderful project to undertake.
5. DIY Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
What makes this calendar fun and unique is its dual functionality—it serves as a decorative element and a functional countdown to the holiday.
6. How to Build an Awesome LEGO Advent Calendar
This DIY project allows you to combine your love for LEGO with the anticipation of Christmas. Participants create a dynamic and interactive advent calendar by assembling a series of small LEGO creations, each representing a day leading up to the holiday.
7. Cheap and Easy DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar
This calendar is a fantastic option for families, teachers, or anyone looking for a quick and straightforward DIY project to add personal flair to their holiday celebrations.
8. Advent Calendar Made From Upcycled Shoe Organizer
This eco-friendly DIY project repurposes a shoe organizer into a festive advent calendar, offering a sustainable and creative way to countdown to Christmas.
9. DIY Envelope Advent Calendar
The DIY Envelope Advent Calendar is perfect for individuals who enjoy paper crafts, scrapbooking or simply want a hands-on way to celebrate the holiday season.
10. Sparkly Ornament Advent Calendar
Crafters can adorn each ornament with numbers or labels, designating them for each day leading up to Christmas. These ornaments can be hung on a decorative tree, garland, or display board, adding a touch of sparkle and festive flair to any space.
11. Easy DIY Advent Calendar
You can use basic materials such as paper, envelopes, or small boxes to fashion numbered compartments for each day leading up to the holiday.
12. Balloon Advent Calendar
Each balloon represents a day in December leading up to the holiday. Place a small surprise, treat, or message inside each balloon, which will be revealed daily. Your kids can pop a balloon daily to unveil the hidden treasure inside, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the countdown.
13. Santa Countdown to Christmas
Get ready to jingle all the way to Christmas with the Santa Countdown to Christmas! This DIY project puts a festive spin on the traditional advent calendar by crafting a Santa Claus-themed countdown display.
14. Santa Down the Chimney Christmas Countdown Craft
This DIY project adds a touch of festive charm to your countdown to Christmas. Crafters can create a chimney-shaped display with numbered slots or compartments.
15. Christmas Countdown Printable Advent Calendar
This project does not require extensive crafting materials or skills, making it accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. The Christmas Countdown Printable Advent Calendar is perfect for busy families, teachers, or anyone seeking a hassle-free way to celebrate the holiday season.
16. Paper Chain Advent Calendar for Kids
This DIY project offers a hands-on and interactive way for kids to countdown to Christmas. Crafters can create a paper chain with 24 links. Inside each link, they can place a small treat, activity, or message to be revealed daily.
17. DIY Take-out Box Advent Calendar
What makes this calendar fun and unique is its unconventional use of take-out boxes, transforming them into festive holiday decor. Your family can fill each box with treats, small gifts, or heartfelt messages, making each day’s surprise a delightful experience.
18. Easy DIY Cardboard Advent Calendar for Kids
Get your little ones involved in the festive season with the Easy DIY Cardboard Advent Calendar for Kids. Your kids can decorate and fill each compartment with treats, small toys, or messages, adding their personal touch to the advent calendar.
19. Mini House Wooden Advent Calendar
Each wooden house in this DIY project represents a day leading up to Christmas. You can customize each wooden house with paint, stain, or festive decorations, making it a beautiful addition to any holiday decor.
20. DIY Paper Bag Advent Calendar
You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a fun Advent Calendar. Simple paper bags can create numbered pockets for each day leading up to the holiday. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the holiday while adding a handmade touch to their decor.
21. DIY Modern Tree Advent Calendar
This sleek and stylish Advent Calendar is a modern take on the timeless classic. The DIY Modern Tree Advent Calendar appeals to individuals who appreciate clean lines and minimalist design and those seeking a unique and eye-catching way to celebrate the holiday season.
22. Felt Advent Calendar
This DIY project utilizes soft and versatile felt fabric to create a charming calendar. The felt’s soft texture adds warmth and comfort to the holiday countdown, making it appealing to children and adults alike.
23. Instagram Style Advent Calendar
Add social media flair to your holiday countdown with the Instagram Style Advent Calendar. This DIY project takes inspiration from the popular photo-sharing platform to create a modern and trendy advent calendar display.
24. Mini Stocking Advent Calendar
This DIY project features a collection of personalized miniature stockings. You can choose the designs, colors, and embellishments, adding a personal touch to their holiday decor. This project will add warmth and cheer to your December days.
25. DIY Alcohol Advent Calendar
This craft offers a sophisticated twist on the traditional countdown. It features a collection of 24 mini bottles of assorted alcoholic beverages. You can customize the selection of drinks to suit your preferences, whether wine, spirits, liqueurs, or craft beers.
26. Colorful Houses DIY Kids Advent Calendar
This project engages children in the countdown to Christmas by creating a charming village of colorful houses. As they open a new house daily, they discover small treats, toys, or activities hidden inside.
27. DIY Magnetic Advent Calendar
This creative project uses magnetic materials to craft a unique and interactive countdown to Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity with kids or a stylish and functional advent calendar, this project offers a delightful way to celebrate the countdown to Christmas.
28. Christmas Advent Paper Houses
Families, crafters, and anyone who loves holiday decorations will enjoy making these charming paper houses. Each family member can make houses to reflect their personal style, and the best part is you probably already have the materials in your house!
29. Printable Sticker Advent Calendar
If you need to assemble an Advent Calendar quickly, this project is for you. The free printables make it easy to complete.
30. Christmas Photo Advent Challenge
Your family gets a list of themed photo prompts for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Each day, you take a photo inspired by the prompt, capturing moments of holiday cheer, decorations, family traditions, or winter scenes.
31. Kindness Advent Calendar for Adults
Advent calendars are not just for kids! Each day in December, the calendar reveals a new act of kindness to perform, such as complimenting a stranger, donating to charity, or writing a heartfelt note.
32. DIY Christmas Countdown Wood Tree
The fun and uniqueness of this project come from the hands-on crafting experience and the ability to personalize the tree with paint, glitter, and other decorations. It’s a perfect activity for families, couples, or anyone who enjoys DIY projects and wants to add a handmade touch to their holiday decor.
33. DIY Fabric Advent Calendar
This project is a great way to create a reusable Advent calendar that can become a cherished part of your holiday traditions, providing a personalized and interactive countdown to Christmas each year.
34. Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
The Christmas Tree Advent Calendar offers a memorable way to celebrate the season. It fosters family traditions and creates a beautiful centerpiece that captures the magic of Christmas.
35. Colorful Printable Advent Calendar
The Colorful Printable Advent Calendar is a vibrant DIY project that adds a splash of color to your holiday countdown. Ideal for busy families, teachers, and anyone who loves DIY crafts, this project provides a quick yet delightful way to celebrate the season.
36. Merry Grinchmas 13-Day Advent Calendar
The Merry Grinchmas 13-Day Advent Calendar is a playful and themed DIY project that celebrates the iconic Dr. Seuss character, the Grinch. This Advent calendar features Grinch-inspired designs. From December 12th to Christmas Eve, you unveil a new treat, note, or activity each day.
37. Printable Advent Calendar Activity Cards for Kids
This DIY project involves downloading and printing colorful activity cards, each featuring a fun and festive activity for children to enjoy during the countdown to Christmas. These cards provide a daily dose of excitement and anticipation, from crafting ornaments to baking cookies and watching holiday movies.
38. Advent Calendar Countdown Boxes
If you need a jump start on your Advent Calendar, these Countdown Boxes are perfect for you. You and your family can customize them to your liking and skip the hassle of making them yourselves.
39. Advent Calendar Tree – Digital Cutting File
This project provides crafters with a digital cutting file to create their own Advent calendar tree using a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette. Once the design is cut, crafters can assemble and customize the tree.
40. 64 Kindness Advent Calendar Cards
The 64 Kindness Advent Calendar Cards offer a heartwarming twist on the traditional Advent calendar. These acts range from simple gestures like holding the door for someone to more involved activities like volunteering or donating to charity.