Need ideas for DIY advent calendar to get kids excited for Christmas countdown? We have 13 homemade advent calendar gift ideas and 37 advent calendar stuffers / DIY advent calendar items! We’ll also talk about history of advent and how to use advent calendar. Makes a fun family holiday activity or kids Christmas craft!
Unique Ideas For DIY Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for DIY homemade advent calendar ideas, we have you covered — from easy advent crafts using stuff you probably already have all the way to making your own DIY fabric advent calendar!
How do you make an Advent calendar at home?
Homemade advent calendar ideas include:
- Christmas crackers on a string
- Toilet paper tubes with “punch out” tissue to get the prize
- Mini felt stockings on garland
- Wrapped gifts hung on an advent tree
- Convert mason jars into gift holders
- Use a toy train with a different gift in each car
- Do a Christmas scavenger hunt where each day there is a clue to a hidden trinket or treat
- Add a ring to a paper chain to count down the days
- Unwrap a different children’s book each day
& SO MANY MORE
(don’t miss our full list and directions below on making advent calendars)
Creating your own homemade fillable advent calendar is a lot of fun and will become a holiday keepsake you can use for many years and create tons of Christmas memories!
What can I put in a homemade Advent calendar?
Your homemade, make your own advent calendar can be filled with a variety of toys, trinkets, candy, and items for your Christmas countdown!
Best DIY Advent Calendar Ideas For Both Kids And Adults:
- Fortunes for the upcoming year
- DIY advent calendar clues that lead to gifts or treats hidden elsewhere
- Lego pieces
- Small candy
- Kinetic sand
- DIY advent calendar stickers
- Jokes
- Mini drawing
- Money
- Mini ornament
- Dreidels
- Chocolate coins
- Puzzle pieces that can be used to make a puzzle at the end
(Don’t miss our complete list of how to fill your own advent calendar below, along with the DIY unique advent calendar ideas!)
Just in case you landed here and are just learning about advent calendars for kids…
What is an advent calendar?
If you’re new to it, you may be wondering what is advent calendar box? The advent calendar meaning is to count the days until Christmas, or the celebration of the birth of Christ, or the days of “Advent.” It was traditionally a religious practice, but today it is used in religious Christmas celebrations and secular homes at holidays as a way to get/give small gifts or trinkets in the days preceding the holiday.
What is the purpose of an Advent calendar?
The advent calendar counts up (or down) to Christmas, or the birth of Jesus. However, today the Advent calendar is used by Christians and secular families as a countdown to Christmas using treats.
If you’re looking for a DIY advent calendar nativity scene, you’re going to love this advent calendar nativity set! You add a piece of straw to the manger each day or each time you do a good deed during the holidays. Then, on Christmas, you have a bed for Baby Jesus!
When To Use Advent Calendar
An advent calendar is generally used starting on the first day of December to count up (or down) to Christmas Eve or Christmas day. There are advent calendars that count 12 days, so you can do the twelve days of Christmas (starting 12 days before Christmas and ending on Christmas morning).
Where to put advent calendar?
The best place to put an advent calendar will depend on the type of advent calendar you use. An advent calendar with drawers can sit on the fireplace mantel or table with other Christmas decorations. An advent calendar on a string may be strung over the fireplace or on the stair banister. The location of your calendar should be easily accessible for the kids.
MORE HOLIDAY IDEAS & CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY:
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39 Charlie Brown Christmas Activities and Lessons for Kids
19 Family Ideas for Service Projects During Holidays (and Beyond)
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What is Kwanzaa? Meaning and Traditions for Kids
What Is Winter Solstice? Science Behind Solstice and Lesson Plans, Traditions, Activities
10 Elf on Shelf Alternatives That Won’t Make You Insane
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12 Unique New Year Countdown Ideas for Kids (That You Probably Never Thought Of)
42 Unique Ideas: Christmas Gifts for Mom Guide [UPDATED]
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So, what is the story behind Advent and what does the advent calendar represent?
Let’s take a closer look at an Advent definition and the history of advent calendars before we get to the how to make an advent calendar.
ADVENT CALENDAR HISTORY
What about the original DIY advent calendar?
Did you know that the history of advent dates back to the early 1900s?
According to GotQuestions.org:
At first, the days preceding Christmas were marked off from December 1 with chalk on believers’ doors.
Then in Germany in the late 19th century the mother of a child named Gerhard Lang made her son an Advent Calendar comprised of 24 tiny sweets stuck onto cardboard.
Lang never forgot the excitement he felt when he was given his Advent calendar at the beginning of each December, and how it reminded him every day that the greatest celebration of the whole year was approaching ever nearer.
As an adult he went into partnership with his friend Reichhold and opened a printing office.
In 1908, they produced what is thought to be the first-ever printed Advent Calendar with a small colored picture for each day in Advent.
Later on, at the beginning of the 20th century, they hit on the idea of making the pictures into little shuttered windows for the children to open day by day in order to heighten their sense of expectation.
Why do they call it an Advent calendar?
Advent represents the four Sundays before Christmas, or the day Jesus was born.
►Did you know that Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin?
How Does Advent Calendar Work?
Do Advent calendars count down or up?
If you are making a DIY advent calendar, you may be confused on whether Advent calendars count up or down. Some calendars will start with Day 25 and count down to Day 1 (which is Christmas). Other advent calendars count up, starting on December 1 and corresponding to the dates until Christmas eve on December 24 or Christmas Day on December 25.
Do you start at 24 or 1 on an advent calendar?
Whether Advent calendars count up or down will depend up on the calendar you are using. The point is to count the days until Christmas. So, if you’re making an advent calendar, it’s completely up to you if you want to count up or down!
Do Advent calendars have 24 or 25 days?
Most Advent calendars have 24 days and end on Christmas Eve (starting on December 1st and ending on December 24th). However, you can also end your last Advent day on Christmas Day. In that case, you will need your calendar to have 25 days worth of treats.
While we’re here, we should also mention another Advent countdown tradition . . .
What are the 4 themes of Advent?
In the Lutheran religion, they also light an Advent wreath that is comprised of four candles.
Although it is predominantly a Lutheran practice, many others have adopted the Advent wreath as part of their Advent practices.
What does each day of Advent mean?
Some families light one candle each Sunday until Christmas using an advent wreath.
MercyHome.org explains:
The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season.
The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life.
The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ.
What are advent candles meaning?
There is special meaning for each day and candle that is lit.
MercyHome.org goes on:
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday.
Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice.
Advent candle meanings:
- First Candle (purple): for Hope. It represents the coming Messiah.
- Second Candle (purple): for Faith. It signifies Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and is sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle.
- Third Candle (pink): for Joy.
- Fourth Candle (purple): for Peace.
DIY Advent Calendar Kit
Before we get to the homemade advent calendar ideas, let’s talk about what to do if you want an easier route.
First, check out these DIY advent calendar kits that come in a kit so you have everything you need.
You may also like these popular Advent calendars that come preassembled and all you have to do is open them up!
- Advent calendar: Lego
- Advent calendar: Harry Potter
- Advent calendars: Makeup
- Chocolate for advent calendar
- Advent calendar with socks
- Mochi Animals Squishy Toys Advent Calendar
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas (Including Non Candy Advent Calendar Ideas)
You may be wondering what to put in an advent calendar?
You can fill your own advent calendar with anything that interests your family.
Advent calendar contents ideas can be a theme, like chocolate or Lego bricks.
You can also do an entire advent calendar without candy! Just use ideas from our advent filler list below.
Fill your advent calendar with any trinkets or treats or toys for advent calendar that your family will enjoy.
Here are some fun advent calendar items (or even to create your own advent calendar refill pack) and homemade advent calendar gift ideas…
37 Advent Calendar Filler Ideas
DIY advent calendar what to put inside:
- Chocolate
- Pieces of candy for advent calendar
- Lego bricks or miniature figures
- Different tea bags/flavors
- Beads and elastic for crafts
- Personal messages or Bible verses
- Perfume samples
- Make up
- Socks
- Lip balm
- Gift cards and coupons (to local attractions)
- Variety of affordable mini toys or party favors
- Jokes or riddles
- Scavenger hunt clues (and then hide the item/gift in the house)
- Bracelet / Bracelet charm
- Money or coins
- Necklace
- Necklace charms
- Craft supplies
- Magnets
- Buttons, pins, and patches for backpacks
- Money
- Ornaments
- Maps to something fun in the house or outside
- Stick on Tattoos or stickers
- Bandaids in different characters/colors
- Bouncy balls
- Washi tape
- Balloons
- Hair ties/clips
- Rocks or gems
- Bath bomb
- Flash drive
- Erasers or pencil toppers
- Key chains
- Clay
- Mini bubbles
Get creative with your DIY advent calendar contents ideas! They don’t need to just be holiday based!
How Many Gifts In Advent Calendar?
An advent calendar has one small gift or candy for each day. The number of gifts you put in an advent calendar will depend on if you are doing a full month of December countdown to Christmas (then you will need 25 small trinkets or candies) or if you are doing a small advent calendar, like a 12 days til Christmas countdown (then you will need 12 advent gifts).
Looking for an advent calendar box with drawers? You’ll love this one:
Want to make your own? Check out this advent calendar craft kit.
Advent Calendar Without Filling
If you are looking for an advent calendar without filling or if you need advent calendar ideas for toddlers, try an advent calendar tree or globe where they get to add a new ornament to the tree each day or item to the globe, etc like this one:
OK! Let’s get to how to make DIY advent calendar!
HOW TO CREATE AN ADVENT CALENDAR: 25 Days of Christmas Activities for Kids
How Do You Make An Advent Calendar?
If you’re looking for unique and creative advent calendar ideas this year, consider making your own advent calendar / doing an advent calendar you fill yourself.
It’s a great holiday project to do with the kids (and, of course, you have to fill it when they’re not looking!).
Plus, many of these you can make once and they are a reusable advent calendar for years to come! Just fill them with different items each year.
To make an advent calendar, first decide if you’re going to start on December 1st and go to December 24th or 25th, or you’re going to do a smaller one (like 12 Days of Christmas theme). Then, follow one of the ideas below to create an advent calendar and fill your advent calendar.
Whatever you decide, just make your advent calendar plans fun!
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #1. Christmas Crackers Advent Calendar
Who doesn’t love Christmas crackers?
(I don’t even know if that’s the “official” name, but that’s what we call them.)
They are fun to open (with a POP!) and then have tiny toys and trinkets in them.
Just buy Christmas crackers
and then number them 1 to 24.
Then, hang them with some festive twine from the mantel, stair railing, or on the Christmas tree.
Be aware, though, that most Christmas crackers in a package come with the same things in them. So you may want to buy several packages of different kinds/brands.
If you want to vary the contents of your crackers for each day of advent, try making your own Christmas crackers
and then packing them with your own advent fillers.
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #2. Train Advent Calendar
If you have a train lover in your family, then this is the perfect advent calendar idea.
And, it’s a really cute DIY advent calendar of wood that you can reuse every year!
(Bonus points for being a super cute addition to your mantel!)
Get some unpainted train cars
and have fun decorating (don’t forget to add the countdown numbers!).
Then, fill them with advent goodies (or tie them to the top or sit them behind the car).
It’s another adorable advent calendar you can reuse every year.
(Be sure to paint the year you made it on the bottom so it can be a family hand-me-down!)
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #3. Mini Stocking Advent Calendar
This is a simple but functional DIY advent calendar: get mini felt stockings and advent calendar number stickers.
Place the numbers (1-24) on the stockings and fill them with toys, chocolates, or favors.
You can string the stockings on a ribbon to hang up or use them as tree decorations.
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #4. Jar Advent Calendar
I like this advent calendar because you can do it from things you probably have around your house.
If you have a bunch of dried up clay in containers (like we do), then ditch the clay and use the containers for your new advent calendar. (Just wash and dry the containers first.)
Then, wrap the containers in festive contact paper or wrapping paper and number the fronts.
(I love how they numbered these containers in all different fonts and numbers and even spelled out the day on some of them.)
If you need containers, check out these jars for an advent calendar.
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #5. Burlap Bag Advent Calendar
Isn’t this advent calendar beautiful?
I love it because you can use it each year and it doubles as a decoration!
To make this advent calendar, you’ll need:
- Burlap craft bags
- Red stick-on felt numbers
- Ribbon
- Toys, candy, or party favors
You can tie the bags to a wreath, garland, the stairs, or even on the tree! (Or, use clothespins to clip them wherever you want!)
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #6. Envelope Advent Calendar
These little DIY advent calendar bags or DIY advent calendar envelopes are a great to do as a family craft project.
Start with an envelope—any size or style, like mini glassine paper bags
or natural Kraft paper bags.
If you use glassine or vellum, remember to wrap the goodies you put in the bags because you’ll be able to see them!
If you don’t want to use cellophane or paper envelopes, try these cute muslin craft bags
.
Then, decorate the fronts with paint, crayons, or cutouts.
To make the star clasps shown here, stick (or glue) red felt stars
onto mini craft clothespins
.
(Don’t forget the felt stick-on numbers
!)
You can then clip the bags onto twine, ribbon, garland on a mantel or stair case, or the Christmas tree.
This is how to make an advent calendar easy!
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #7. Mini Bin Advent Calendar
This is a fun, modern take on the advent calendar.
Use mini food storage containers
(those rectangular plastic baby food containers work really well!) and are great if you want to make your own advent calendar boxes.
I like these because they are long and deep, which means they can fit advent toys or candy of different sizes.
The kids can have fun painting or decorating the outside and then adding the countdown numbers to the top.
All that will be left to do then is for you to fill them up with treats!
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #8. Easy Advent Calendar Using Gift Bags
If you’re running tight on time (or low on motivation), then you can make a simple advent calendar out of Christmas favor bags and ribbon.
Just write the numbers on front with a festive marker!
You can also have the kids decorate white paper bags to use for the calendar:
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #9. Wrapped Package Advent Calendar
This is another easy advent calendar, but it’s so beautiful! These would be so beautiful hung on an advent calendar tree!
Get small gift boxes—I like these favor boxes
because you don’t need to wrap them.
You can just decorate with the twine and use the included tag.
Either write the countdown numbers directly, write them on fun tags, or use wooden numbers or other festive decorations.
(Don’t forget to put your goodies into the boxes before you wrap them!)
You can also make the gift for the last day a bigger or more expensive gift.
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #10. Book Countdown Advent Calendar
A friend of mine told me about this advent calendar a couple of years ago and each year I say I’m going to do it . . . and then I forget!
Make an advent countdown calendar of children’s books!
Here’s what you do:
Wrap 24 books in wrapping paper (or place fun book covers over them) and each night your kids can unwrap one for the bedtime story that night.
As you can imagine, this type of calendar can get pricey.
My friend actually wraps books that they already have and she said her son is still super excited.
(Dig in the back of your shelves for books your kids may have forgotten about!)
I think I’m going to hit up the thrift store (our thrift store has 69-cent kid books) and find some for this project.
Then, at the end, we’ll have 24 great new additions to our home library (and also to pair up with our theme recipes!).
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #11. Heart Fabric Countdown Calendar
If you’re a little more crafty (and have a little more time) or wondering how to make an advent calendar with fabric, try this fabric heart countdown calendar.
Sew fabric hearts onto a piece of fabric and then use the stick-on felt numbers
for the countdown.
(Don’t forget to leave the top of your heart open so you can put the advent toys or treats in them!)
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #12. Advent Calendar Templates
You can also make your own advent calendar from templates.
If you want to print out your own advent calendar to make, here’s a great list of advent calendar templates.
DIY Advent Calendar Idea #13. Online Advent Calendars
Are you less DIY and more a techie type?
There are some really fun advent calendar online options that you can do on your computer, phones, or tablets.
Just search “online advent calendars [your device type]” or “advent calendar game.”
My daughter had a lot of fun with one last year (and there’s no glitter to clean up after).
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THESE IDEAS FOR HOMEMADE DIY ADVENT CALENDAR!
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