20 creative advent calendar ideas to make at home

On the first day of Christmas … I made myself a stunning advent calendar.

Looking to put a spin on the traditional advent calendar this year? Well, look no further. We’ve scoured the web high and low and found stacks of ideas for creative Chrissy countdowns.

Here are 20 advent calendar ideas for you to make at home.

It’s in the bag

Get out the ink pad! Stamp or paint little cloth bags with numbers and hang them from a hook rack. (via Flickr)

Festive paper forest

Create simple tree-like paper cones and place treats underneath. Mix up the numbers so kids can test their number recognition skills! (via Sarah Mcgaugh)

Bite-sized boxes

Cover treat-filled boxes with pictures and hang them on a wall. Get the instructions Our House

Petite parcels

Glue pegs to a board and hang sweet little wrapped parcels from them. (via Tsj Photography)

Spread the love

Random acts of kindness: Attach a note to each date suggesting an altruistic activity for the kids – like feeding parking meters, donating old toys to your local op shop, or bringing their teacher a coffee! (via Tsj Photography)

Merry matches

Decorate numbered matchbooks and display them in a beautiful glass jar. (via Babble)

A rainbow of windows

There’s something deeply satisfying about pushing through that little window to get to your treat! Make your own punch-out advent calendar with this tutorial. (via Daisy Janie)

Snip, snip, Santa!

A no-chocolate version that’s simple to make but surprisingly engaging for kids. Cutting stuff is fun! (via La Classe Della Maestra Valentina)

Snowmen on a string

For this nifty snowman garland, you’ll need some plastic capsules – the kind you get from novelty toy vending machines. Once you’ve amassed 25 of them you’re ready to start crafting!  (via Whimsy Girl)

Toilet rolls at the ready

Here’s what to do with all your old toilet paper rolls!  (via Maya Made)

Sugar and spice and all things nice

This fridge-mounted calendar is made from magnetic spice jars. Put stickers on the front, a trinket inside, and arrange them in a Christmassy shape!  (via Baby de Roach)

Recycled socks

Recycle all those cute baby socks your little ones have grown out of! Add numbered stickers, peg them to a ribbon, and put treats inside.  (via Martha Stewart)

Boxes and branches

Create an ‘advent tree’ using favour boxes or small gift boxes hung from a painted branch. (via Centsational Girl)

Very festive felt

One to keep for years to come: Make your own embroidered felt calendar with this tutorial. (via All Crafts)

Family time treasures

Trying to minimise sugary treats? Fill your advent calendar with family activity cards instead of lollies. If there’s anything your kids love more than chocolate, it’s time with you.

Doodle away

An advent calendar that will cost you only a few cents (and may gain you some precious time keeping the kids busy!) Let your children draw pictures on numbered envelopes then blu-tak to the wall. (via Eclectic Chica)

Christmas clipboard

Use a clipboard and some scrapbooking stationery to make a Christmas countdown calendar. Instructions here. (via Scrap Inspired)

Roll on December!

Here’s a simpler version of the toilet paper roll calendar that kids can help out with.  (via Instructables)

Pretty paper

A pretty advent calendar garland made of folded, printed paper. Learn how to make it here. (via Polkadot Prints)

Read next …

Looking for more DIY Christmas ideas? Here are just a few of our favourites:

• 20 ways to fill your advent calendar (without chocolate!)
• 14 DIY Advent calendars you can make at home
•  12 quirky DIY Christmas wreaths

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