The holiday season will soon be upon us. And that means it’s time to start preparing for one of the best parts of Christmas: the advent calendar. As a kid, I loved ripping open each little door on my store-bought advent calendar every morning in December. Behind every door was a tiny piece of chocolate or a small toy. It was magical.
These days, advent calendars are more popular than ever. You can find calendars with treats ranging from tea bags to beauty products. There are even advent calendars for pets! But most advent calendars out there are made of plastic or cardboard. And most of them get tossed after December 25th.
That’s why I set out on a mission to create my own reusable, eco-friendly advent calendar using paper. Over the years, I’ve experimented with dozens of techniques. And in this post, as a professional advent calendar printing manufacturer, I’m going to share my favorite methods for making an advent calendar out of paper that you can use again and again.
Why Make An Advent Calendar Out of Paper?
There are a few reasons why paper makes an ideal material for DIY advent calendars:
1. Paper is recyclable and biodegradable
Plastic advent calendar shells usually get thrown in the trash. Paper, on the other hand, can be recycled or will break down naturally.
Making your calendar out of paper cuts down on holiday waste. I usually use kraft paper or recycled cardstock for my projects.
2. A paper calendar is reusable
Sure, many DIY paper advent calendars use materials like toilet paper rolls. But the beauty of these projects is that they don’t generate much waste.
You can easily refresh the toilet paper rolls or paper envelopes each year. And reuse things like the garland and decorative elements year after year.
3. Paper advent calendars encourage creativity
Blank paper is an open canvas. You can get really creative with shapes, textures, and embellishments.
Paper also takes art supplies like paint and stickers very nicely. This makes it a great material for getting the kids involved too!
How to Make A Recycled Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar
One of my favorite go-to advent calendars to make out of paper is this toilet paper roll garland. It takes almost no time to put together. And I can refresh the rolls I use each year.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 24 toilet paper rolls
- Scrapbook paper
- Double-sided tape
- Twine
- Hole punch
- Embellishments (optional)
Start by cutting scrapbook paper into 1 inch wide strips. Wrap each strip around a toilet paper roll. Secure it using double-sided tape or glue.
Next, punch a hole in each toilet paper roll towards the top. Thread an 18 inch piece of twine through each hole. Tie a knot to close the loop.
Space the rolls about 3 inches apart and arrange them in size order along the twine. Tie the ends of the loop together once your garland is complete.
You can leave your garland plain or dress it up. I like to use stickers with numbers to mark each day. Holiday rubber stamps and fabric scraps make nice embellishments too.
This rustic advent calendar is perfect for storing small candies or handmade gifts. Hang it in your kitchen, hallway, or anywhere else you want to spread some holiday cheer!
How to Craft A Paper Envelope Advent Calendar
I’m also a huge fan of this sleek paper envelope advent calendar. The minimalist design fits in nicely with any type of holiday decor.
This project does take some time to complete. But the final result is gorgeous!
To make your own paper envelope advent calendar you will need:
- Paper or cardstock
- Craft knife
- Metal ruler
- Glue stick
- Ribbon
- 24 mini craft envelopes (optional)
Start by cutting strips of paper that are 3⁄4 inches tall and 12 inches long. You’ll need 28 strips total. Apply glue along the edge of one long side. Press the ends together to form a circle.
Repeat this step to make 24 paper rings total. Then, glue the rings together in a wreath shape. Make sure the edges line up neatly.
Cut 24 rectangles from coordinating paper that are 3 inches wide by 4 inches long. Apply glue to three edges of each rectangle. Fold the paper into little envelopes and hold in place until dry.
Next, punch holes evenly along the top edge of each envelope. Attach the envelopes to a ribbon by threading the center pulls of the envelopes onto it. Tie the ends of the ribbon into a bow. Nestle the envelope wreath into the bow to complete your calendar!
The great thing about this project is that it works for various crafting levels. If you’re short on time, you can skip making the handmade envelopes and buy a set instead.
Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous advent calendar wreath made of paper!
How to Upcycle Cereal Boxes into an Advent Calendar
Sometimes, all you need is a bit of creativity to turn ordinary household items into extraordinary gifts. For example, empty cereal boxes make enchanting advent calendars for kids.
Gather these supplies to begin:
- 4-6 empty cereal boxes
- Wrapping paper or paint
- Hot glue gun
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Number stickers or stamps
- Treats and goodies
Start by covering each cereal box in festive paper or giving them a fresh coat of colorful paint. Measure and lightly mark lines dividing each side of the box into columns 1 1⁄2 inches wide.
Carefully cut along the pencil lines on all four sides of each box with your craft knife. Take care not to cut all the way through the top and bottom of the boxes—you just want to slice the edges into columns.
Now here comes the fun part! Glue the cereal boxes together side by side to form a square or rectangle. Fill each sliced column of the boxes with fun treats for the countdown to Christmas morning!
Finally, number the columns 1 through 24 with festive stickers or rubber stamps. I like to number the boxes along the inside edges so that the numbers don’t show once the columns are stuffed with surprises.
Small toys, candies, lip balms, crayons, stickers, and other stocking stuffer items are perfect fillers. You can even roll up tiny scrolls with holiday jokes or custom coupons for the recipient!
The Perfect Fillers for Paper Advent Calendars
No matter which paper advent calendar design you choose, figuring out what to tuck inside those little daily surprises can be tricky. You want to fill it with things the recipient will actually enjoy!
Here are some of my favorite advent calendar stuffer ideas that pair nicely with handcrafted paper calendars:
Beauty and Grooming Products
- Sample size hand cream
- Lip balm
- Bath bombs
- Sheet face masks
- Mini nail polish bottles
- Single use hair masks
For Kids and Students
- Stickers
- Erasers
- Temporary tattoos
- Coins
- Mini Lego sets
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
For Food Lovers
- Hot chocolate or apple cider packets
- Candy canes
- Mini cookies and other baked goods
- Chocolate truffles
- Cinnamon spice tea bags
- Small jars of jam, honey, or nut butter
For Coffee or Tea Fanatics
- Flavored coffee or tea bags
- Packs of instant coffee
- Starbucks gift cards
- Chocolate covered coffee beans
- Mini stainless steel travel mugs
For Hostess Gifts
- Individual spice packet mixes
- Scented wax melts
- Hand cream
- Note cards
- Fancy chocolate bars or truffles
- Small ornament
Couples Ideas
- Date night scratch-off tickets
- Mini bottles of bubbly
- Movie or gas gift cards
- Photos tucked into handwritten notes
- Back rub and foot massage coupons
Advent Calendar Tips and Tricks
After making dozens of advent calendars out of paper over the years, I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. Here are some of my best pieces of advice:
- Choose durable papers and embellishments so your calendar will last multiple holiday seasons.
- Stick to flat fillers rather than bulky objects that create creases or tears.
- If gifting your calendar, use unscented items in case the recipient is sensitive to smells.
- Store any food fillers in sealed packets or containers to prevent ants or stale ingredients.
- Wrap tiny trinkets in tissue or cellophane to prevent lost pieces. Tiny gift bags are great for sealing in loose contents too.
- Advent calendars don’t have to start December 1 if you want a longer countdown celebration! Number them for a November start instead.
- Let kids get involved in the making process—it’s great for working on fine motor control.
- Outline fillers or plans for each date to prevent duplication or forgotten spots.
- Hot glue any structural elements like wreaths or garlands for durability.
There you have it! With a bit of creativity and these hacks in your back pocket, you’ll be a master of DIY advent calendars in no time.
I hope you’ve found some inspiration and helpful tips for crafting your own paper advent calendar this year! If you have any other questions feel free to reach out. Don’t forget to tag me in your paper advent calendar creations—I’d love to see what you make!