The holiday season will be here before you know it. And that means it’s time to start prepping your advent calendar for 2024!
An advent calendar is a fun way to count down the days until Christmas with your kids or family. But there’s no need to resort to the boring, store-bought variety — you can easily make your own DIY advent calendar at home. As a professional advent calendar printing manufacturer, I will share some advent calendar ideas in this post.
Why Make Your Own Advent Calendar?
Sure, grabbing a basic advent calendar filled with chocolate at the store is convenient. But making your own allows you to customize it however you’d like and make it more meaningful.
Here are just a few of the advantages of DIY advent calendars:
- Fill the calendar with personalized items like small toys or gifts
- Design it around your family’s unique style and traditions
- Build anticipation and excitement leading up to the holidays
- Make fun memories together crafting the calendar
- Express your creativity and artistry
Even if you’ve never been “crafty”, these easy advent calendar ideas can help get your creative juices flowing. Keep reading for tips, tutorials, and all sorts of unique ways to craft your own countdown-to-Christmas masterpiece!
Advent Calendar Ideas
Wooden House Calendar
This charming wooden advent calendar idea allows you to hide tiny gifts behind each door. Not only does it help build the anticipation for Christmas, but it also looks lovely displayed in your home!
To make your own wooden house advent calendar, you’ll need:
- Unfinished wood house cutout
- Wood numbers and letters
- Acrylic paint and paint brushes
- Wood glue
- Assorted mini gifts or treats to fill the calendar
Start by painting your wood house in festive colors — classic red and green are timeless options. Or opt for wintery blues and silvers for a more modern touch.
Once the paint has dried, it’s time to add the numbers. Paint 24 wood numbers in a coordinating color. Then glue them onto each door, arranging them from 1 to 24.
Finish off your advent calendar by gluing on a wood “Merry Christmas” sentiment at the top. Then fill each door with tiny toys, candies, mini ornaments, and more!
Paper House Calendar
Short on time or want a simpler advent calendar idea? This paper house calendar comes together quickly with just a few supplies.
For this project, you’ll need:
- Construction paper or scrapbook paper
- Glue stick
- Number stickers or rubber stamps and ink pad
- Hole punch
- Brad fasteners
- Ribbon
- Scissors
Cut out template pieces from your paper to assemble the 3D paper house (full tutorial can be found here). Fold along the lines and glue tabs in place to create the house shape.
Once constructed, punch holes above each door and window. Then peel and stick a festive number next to each opening, or stamp numbers using your ink pad.
Thread ribbon through the holes at the top and tie into a loop for hanging. Fill each space with goodies, then adhere a brad through the holes to keep doors and windows shut until it’s time for them to open!
More Inventive Advent Calendar Ideas
Once you master the wooden or paper house advent calendar, take things up a notch with one of these unique advent calendar ideas.
DIY Fabric Drawstring Calendar
Show off your sewing skills by stitching together a row of tiny fabric gift bags, each labeled with a number. Simply sew bags shut once treats are tucked inside, then tie them in order along a pretty ribbon. Make this super customizable calendar in holiday prints or your little ones’ favorite patterns and colors.
Magnetic Spice Jar Calendar
Looking for an advent calendar that serves double-duty as home decor? Arrange an assortment of empty spice jars on your fridge, using magnets to hold them in place. Top lids with a numbered circle made from cardstock, then fill jars with candy, Lego mini figures, beauty products, and other fun surprises.
Clothespin Greeting Card Calendar
Welcome sweet seasonal greetings each day leading up to Christmas with this charming advent calendar idea. Start by painting 24 wooden clothespins red and lettering numbers on the barrels. Clip pins evenly along a length of twine, ribbon, or garland. Next, hole punch the corner of 24 greeting cards and thread cards through clothespins, stacking them on top of one another. Fan out the bottommost card to display each day’s greeting.
In Summary
No doubt about it — making your own advent calendar is a fabulously festive way to ring in the season. With so many easy yet creative DIY advent calendar ideas to try, you’re sure to find one that suits your family’s unique style and holiday traditions.
So pick out your favorite project idea and start crafting your masterpiece today! The anticipation of unwrapping each day’s surprise will make Christmas morning 2024 even more magical.