--- title: "40 DIY Advent Calendar Ideas to Help You Count Down to Christmas" description: "Nevermind the store-bought versions: Make your own DIY advent calendar and start a new tradition to delight family and friends for years to come." date: "2019-11-29" modified: "2024-11-25" authors: - name: "Manasa Reddigari" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/manasa-reddigari/" - name: "Caitlin Castelaz" job_title: "Former Associate General Manager" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/caitlin-castelaz/" - name: "Teresa Odle" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/40-diy-advent-calendars-to-help-you-count-down-to-christmas-52532/" categories: - "DIY" - "Furniture & Design" - "Holidays & Celebrations" tags: - "decor" - "DIY" - "Holiday Decor" - "Holidays" - "kids" - "News" - "seasonal" --- # 40 DIY Advent Calendar Ideas to Help You Count Down to Christmas ![Many numbered felt Christmas stockings in red, white, and green hanging from a string in a living room.]() *Photo: istock* Part of the joys of the holiday season isn’t just the big day, but the preparation and anticipation leading up to it. Make an Advent calendar to help you count along to December 25. While you of course could buy one, making your very own calendar could be the start of a new tradition. ### Seasonal Snaps ![]() *Photo: sarahhearts.com* Treasure fond memories while counting the days till Christmas by re-creating [Sarah Hearts’ photo Advent calendar](). The hand-painted tree on a plywood board is filled with 25 printable cards (yes, there’s one for Christmas Day too!) that you can customize with your own photos of family, vacations, or pets. ### Santa’s Special Delivery ![]() *Photo: housefulofhandmade.com* Thanks to an array of paper “mailboxes,” this [refillable wood-framed foam board from Houseful of Handmade]() delivers tiny toys from Santa to your kith and kin. Its sturdy construction means you’ll be able to use it for many Christmas seasons to come. ### Fun With Felt ![]() *Photo: abeautifulmess.com* Following [this tutorial from A Beautiful Mess](), hang hand-stitched felt stockings from a frame made of wooden rods, yarn, and beads so little ones can reveal a daily surprise from Father Christmas. Choose colors or styles to match your home’s holiday decor. ### Acts of Kindness ![]() *Photo: aliceandlois.com* This [Advent calendar from Alice & Lois]() encourages you to give back as you count down. Write 25 good deeds on slips of paper, then place each one into an envelope and hang the envelopes from twine or ribbon. Open up a new envelope every day, then get out there and do some good. ### Up to Scratch ![]() *Photo: abeautifulmess.com* Friends or family members will feel like they’ve won the lottery when they get their hands on this [scratch-off calendar from A Beautiful Mess](). Top paper snowflakes with soap-covered circular card stock cutouts that have numbers written on them. To claim your daily prize, scratch off a circle to reveal the number, then look under the “tree” to find the corresponding gift. ### Teens and Kindness in Mind ![]() *Photo: Chelsey Foy / Lovely Indeed* Chelsea Foy of [Lovely Indeed]() made this Advent calendar full of positive activities when her children were little, and she decided to create one with teens and pre-teens in mind. It includes some digital kindness, like texting a silly photo to make a friend or relative smile. She aims to help teens step slightly outside their comfort zone while learning about empathy and consideration. Her post includes ideas for display, printing, and—best of all—a list to prompt activity ideas. ### Go Out on a Limb ![]() *Photo: themerrythought.com* For an evergreen Advent calendar idea, follow [this tutorial from The Merrythought]() that uses matchboxes reinforced with birch plywood and jazzed up with white paint. Suspend the little boxes from an evergreen branch hung on the wall. Inside each matchbox, place the name of a person to call or write to, or a holiday activity for everyone to enjoy, so you can make the most of this joyful season. ### Positively Magnetic ![]() *Photo: somewhatsimple.com* As the blogger behind [Something Simple]() demonstrates, you can make a surprisingly glammed-up gift-giving station with little more than dollar-store party favor tins outfitted with magnets and mounted on a fridge (or stand-alone magnetic board) in the shape of a tree. ### Christmas Village ![]() *Photo: abeautifulmess.com* Enlist the youngest members of your family to help construct this [Christmas neighborhood from A Beautiful Mess]() with brown kraft paper or card stock. Number each little house and fill it with a tiny trinket before you tape it shut. ### Hole-in-One Holiday ![]() *Photo: studiodiy.com* Inspired by the “Punch a Bunch” game on *The Price Is Right*, this [nonstop-fun calendar from Studio DIY]() conceals 24 gifts behind 24 holes. It’s made of paper or plastic bowls, tissue paper, and fringed garlands. Bonus: There’s an extra goody for Christmas Day stashed beneath the giant red bow topper! ### Takeout Tower ![]() *Photo: studiodiy.com* Foodies can get Christmas to go this year by making this too-clever [Advent calendar from Studio DIY](). Treat-filled takeout boxes in all the colors of the rainbow are stacked in rows to make the season brighter. ### Up the Wall ![]() *Photo: thepaintedhive.net* Those fond of organizing will revel at the prospect of counting down to Christmas with this rustic timber-and-fabric [Advent wall chart from The Painted Hive](). Five rows of chalkboard paper pockets are filled with merry memos printed on shipping tags—perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree. ### Flying Colors ![]() *Photo: liagriffith.com* This Christmas, leave Santa some eye candy rather than cookies by building this [Advent village from Lia Griffith](). The dainty dwellings that dangle from the mantel are made of colored paper and red-and-white baker’s twine. They’re so irresistible that you’ll want to live in one yourself. ### Pocketsful of Simple Pleasures ![]() *Photo: racheldenbow.blogspot.com* Would you rather give your family members memorable experiences, or the latest toys or trinkets? In [Rachel Denbow’s felt-paneled Advent calendar](), each pocket holds a fun bonding activity like “Bake Brownies Together” or “Rent a Movie.” ### In the Air ![]() *Photo: look-what-i-made.com* More than a pop of color, this [Advent calendar created by Look What I Made]() promises a poppin’ good time. The wall-mounted driftwood “Christmas tree” brims with colorful numbered balloons, each bearing a loving note, holiday activity, or tasty treat that is revealed when the balloon is popped. ### Simple Repurposing ![]() *Photo: Super Mom Life* Save on materials and use a sustainable backdrop by repurposing a hanging shoe organizer. Heather Castillo of [Super Mom Life]() shows you how to make an attractive but easy Advent calendar that can hang right over a door. She tells readers how to create numbers for each pocket using a Cricut Maker. Since these pockets can hold shoes, they also can hide slightly larger gifts; just wrap them in holiday tissue paper. Plus, this calendar/organizer can serve double purpose after the holiday for [ornament storage.]() ### Bright Baubles ![]() *Photo: sincerelysarad.com* Take a cue from [Sincerely, Sara D]() to spread joy throughout Advent without doling out presents every day of December. Simply string up 25 miniature [holiday ornaments]() on a chalkboard-painted artist’s canvas labeled with handwritten numerals. Take down one ornament each day and transfer it to the Christmas tree for added sparkle. ### Treats in a Tube ![]() *Photo: smashedpeasandcarrots.com* With the help of an old picture frame and dollar-store scrapbook paper, toilet paper tubes were artfully adapted into pillow boxes stuffed with miniature must-haves in [this calendar from Smashed Peas and Carrots](). It’s a great way to reuse and repurpose; besides, people have made [holiday decorations from weirder things](). ### Decoupage Decor ![]() *Photo: modpodgerocksblog.com* This [crafty counter from Mod Podge Rocks]() is a scene stealer in any room it occupies. Decoupaged papier-mâché boxes decorated with die-cut numerals are mounted to a merry, moss-colored canvas and filled with treats or [stocking stuffers.]() ### Boards and Not Much More ![]() *Photo: The Home Depot* You can count on the folks at [The Home Depot]() to think up an Advent calendar design that requires joining a few lengths of pine boards together. Hammer 24 nails into the board so they’re still sticking out, and hang a numbered ornament from each one. Beautiful! ### Celestial Cheer ![]() *Photo: abeautifulmess.com* In this [Advent calendar from A Beautiful Mess](), gold-leafed papier-mâché boxes are emblazoned with numerals, strung together into a garland, and filled with irresistible edibles and seasonal trinkets. Talk about star power! ### The Tiniest of Jars ![]() *Photo: dunistudio.com* Novelty-size jam jars are [transformed by Duni’s Studio]() into tiny capsules that contain something seasonal to help you count down the days until Christmas. What you put in the jars is entirely up to you—sweets, a small trinket, a [Christmas story]() to share, or a special note . ### Great Heights ![]() *Photo: hertoolbelt.com* A decorative ladder gets a reboot as a sleek and slender Advent calendar. The [blogger at Her Tool Belt]() merely installed cup hooks along the rungs. From those hang cotton muslim bags as reminders of the swiftly approaching holiday. ### Zig and Zag ![]() *Photo: diybeautify.com* A bit of twine takes a criss-cross route on an old shutter in [this Advent calendar from DIY Beautify](). Cards containing special treats can be clipped onto the string to help you measure your excitement until the big day. ### Message in a Bottle ![]() *Photo: themerrythought.com* A maritime tradition gets a very merry update in this [Advent calendar idea from The Merrythought](). Roll slips of paper containing special messages, quotes, or do-good assignments into slender bottles (available from craft stores), then uncork one each day until Christmas. ### Light and Bright ![]() *Photo: lovelyindeed.com* This [lightweight banner from Lovely Indeed]() can be suspended from a nail in the wall to preside over a holiday vignette. The felt is bonded to the banner with iron-on adhesive to keep it secured—without the unsightly wrinkling that can be caused by poorly applied craft glue, or the time-intensive labor or stitching with embroidery floss. ### Sweet Surprise ![]() *Photo: justagirlblog.com* When sugar-craving guests lift the lid of this candy-dish [counter from Just a Girl](), they’ll find something even sweeter than chocolate: 24 thoughtful gifts wrapped in mini matchboxes covered with decorative scrapbook paper. ### Punch Out for Prizes ![Christmas tree advent calendar made of stacked cups covered with tissue paper.]() *Photo: Autumn Baldwin / It's Always Autumn* Give young kids a chance to use up some holiday energy with this punchout Advent calendar from Autumn Baldwin at [It’s Always Autumn](). Take a piece of foam core and repurpose or buy plastic party cups to arrange like a tree. Cover each opening with a paper holiday napkin or tissue paper, held on by a rubber band. Kids can punch through the paper each day of Advent. ### Joy Unwrapped ![]() *Photo: aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com  * The elegant arrangement of glittering ornaments atop a cork-filled picture frame from [A Pretty Life In The Suburbs]() makes for a festive decoration. On each day of Advent, simply transfer one ornament to the Christmas tree. ### Shop 'Til You Drop ![]() *Photo: mamamiss.com* A collection of pretties that look like 24 tiny shopping bags from a high-end boutique, this [calendar from Mama Miss]() can be made on a low-end budget. Simply string up tiers of miniature patterned gift boxes, each with an elegant printable numbered sticker. ### Seeing Red ![]() *Photo: carolynshomework.com* Christmas seems to roll around sooner when you mark Advent with this [calendar from Carolyn’s Homework](). It’s nothing more than a bold roll of red ribbon that unfurls to reveal one more paper numeral with each new day, along with snowflakes, stars, and rhinestones. ### Cones of Plenty ![]() *Photo: Cirkus* String a little whimsy from your walls when you re-create this [fabric Advent calendar from Cirkus](). Bits of colorful fabric are sewn into cones and fitted with eyelets through which a ribbon or string is threaded. Drop a tiny gift inside each cone to give little ones something special to unwrap every day. ### Oh Rats, It’s Still Not Christmas ![]() *Photo: fynesdesigns.com* Your resident rodents might not have touched the bait on your mousetraps, but kids won’t be able to keep their mitts off this [treasure from Fynes Designs](). Deactivated mousetraps serve as clipboards to secure tiny trinket-filled sachets or [Christmas cards](). ### Precious Cargo ![]() *Photo: studiodiy.com* Foster patience in little ones—and pile on the Yuletide fun—by building this car lovers’ calendar from [Studio DIY](). The festive fabric counter consists of colorful, treasure-filled felt pockets and a felt truck hot glued to an off-white felt sheet that hangs from a dowel on a wall. Each day of December, tiny hands can collect the Velcro-backed gift in the corresponding pocket and stick it on the bed of the truck, then unwrap a literal truckload of gifts on Christmas Day. ### Edible Excess ![]() *Photo: swoonworthy.co.uk* Follow [Swoonworthy’s tutorial]() to build this blinged-out Christmas counter upcycled from a plain cabinet with 25 drawers. Paint the cabinet in an eye-catching hue, cover the drawers with contact paper or colored washi tape, then bedazzle them with adhesive diamantes, sequins, or ribbon, and of course, Advent numbers. Fill the drawers with chocolates or other goodies wrapped in gold tissue paper. The drawers open, shut, and empty with ease, so you can reuse the calendar next year. ### Evergreen Fun ![]() *Photo: tarynwhiteaker.com* If it doesn’t feel like Christmas unless you’re opening gifts from beneath evergreen boughs, make this naturalistic calendar from [Taryn Whiteaker]() the main attraction of Advent. Like ornaments hanging from Christmas tree branches, gift-filled miniature galvanized buckets wrapped in decoupaged drop cloth hang from faux greenery mounted to a large painted wooden board. A vinyl sign adorns the top of the calendar, or you can adorn it with repurposed or [thrifted holiday decor](). ### Off-the-Rack Revelry ![]() *Photo: tarynwhiteaker.com* Who said Advent calendars are just for kids? Made by topping a basic mug rack with metallic baubles, faux greenery, and cotton muslin favor bags with ironed-on numerals, this farmhouse-style Christmas counter from [Taryn Whiteaker]() is the height of sophistication. Just be sure to mount it high on the wall to keep pets and children at bay. ### Better than a Tree ![]() *Photo: homeyohmy.com* A space-saving, time-saving alternative to setting up a traditional tree, [Homey Oh My’s]() tree-shaped wall-mounted Advent calendar comes together with just a wooden dowel, some string and clothespins, mini tote boxes, and tiny tree stickers. But while the calendar keeps a low profile on the wall, the boxes are big enough to stash gifts, treats, or sentimental notes. With 25 totes on the calendar, that special someone will get an extra gift on Christmas. ### Hanging Loose ![]() *Photo: asubtlerevelry.com* Create this [cheery counter from A Subtle Revelry]() by assembling 24 printable pouches with double-sided tape. Fill the pouches with tiny treasures, and then hang them from a wall-mounted wooden dowel using strings of different lengths for an artful asymmetrical arrangement. ### Refrigerator Magnets ![Advent calendar made of refrigerator magnets on a stainless refrigerator.]() *Photo: Lemon Thistle* Bring the Advent party right to the room you spend plenty of time in around the holidays: the kitchen. Colleen Pastoor at [Lemon Thistle]() solved her calendar hanging dilemma with attractive DIY boxes stuck right to the refrigerator door in the shape of a tree. Just number and decorate favor boxes held tight with two craft magnets each. ## Author Manasa Reddigari has tackled topics ranging from computer software to home remodeling in her decade-plus career as a writer and editor. During her stint as a scribe, she's been featured by leading outlets in the real estate, home improvement, and lifestyle niches such as [Trulia](), [Stikwood](), and [Brit + Co](). Her design philosophy is, if you can dream it, you can DIY it! ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()