The holiday season will soon be upon us, which means it’s time to start prepping your advent calendar! As you look ahead to December 2024 and begin counting down the days until Christmas, you may be wondering — what should I fill my DIY advent calendar with this year?
Whether you’re creating one for yourself, your children, your significant other or the entire family, coming up with fresh and fun ideas to fill each little box or bag can be a creative challenge. But have no fear! As a professional advent calendar printing manufacturer, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you brainstorm the perfect advent calendar stuffers.
Get Inspired With These Advent Calendar Filler Suggestions
When figuring out what to put in your homemade advent calendar, it always helps to start with some inspiration. Here are a few categories to spark your creativity:
Classic Candy and Chocolate Treats
You can’t go wrong with tiny tree-shaped chocolates, bite-sized candy canes, miniature Reese’s cups, and more. Hit up the post-holiday sales for great deals!
Handmade Goodies
Home baked cookies, mini muffins, chocolate truffles — your friends and family will love munching on homemade treats as part of their daily advent surprise.
Tiny Toys and Trinkets
Shop the dollhouse decor section or look for mini erasers, matchbox cars, superhero figurines, and other pint-sized toys that will delight kids of all ages.
Beauty and Self-Care Items
Bath bombs, nail polish, lip balm, temporary tattoos — these dainty items are sure to bring smiles.
Custom Coupons
Make IOUs for special outings, activities with loved ones, household chores, or anything else you can imagine. Print them on festive paper for an extra special touch.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to stuffing your own advent calendar! Once you have some ideas percolating, it’s time to…
Choose a Calendar Format
Advent calendars come in all shapes and sizes these days. When deciding what to put in yours, first pick your format:
Wooden Drawer Boxes
These classic calendars have built-in compartments perfect for holding tiny treasures. Just be mindful of drawer depth if items are too big.
Fabric Pouches
Small stockings, ribbon-tied bags and felt envelope sleeves allow ample room for bulkier stuffers. Hang them in a row or group them in a basket.
Paper Houses
Unfold one sheet per day to discover what’s hidden behind each paper door or scene. Better for flat items than 3D ones.
DIY Versions
With a bit of craftiness, you can create calendars out of egg cartons, jars, boxes, paper towel rolls — anything!
Once your advent calendar format is set, it’s time for the best part — the shopping and planning!
Shop Early and Map Out a Plan
When prepping your fill-your-own advent calendar, make sure to shop early for the best selection (and price) on stuffers. As November gets underway, holiday treats and trinkets start hitting store shelves.
It also helps to map out which items will go into each drawer or pouch so you don’t end up scrambling later on to make it work. If your calendar has numbers, jot down coordinating stuffer ideas for each date.
Want to build anticipation throughout the whole month? Place smaller surprises toward the start of December, leading up to bigger gifts like toys or gift cards closer to Christmas.
For an added surprise, have some fillers be clues that lead to a hidden “treasure” elsewhere in the home on Christmas morning! By planning ahead, you’ll have a smoothly running advent countdown.
Make Special Memories Together
Above all, I recommend choosing advent stuffers that will help make lasting memories with your loved ones. Maybe it’s doing a holiday puzzle together, baking Christmas cookies from a recipe you include, or enjoying tickets to a seasonal show.
Even if money is tight this holiday season, focus on affordable ideas that allow for special moments of connection. At the end of the day, advent is less about the physical stuffers — and more about spending meaningful time with those you cherish most.
As you ponder what to put in your advent calendar during this merry season, let the gift of togetherness spark your creativity and guide your preparations. Those shared laughs while sipping hot cocoa and unwrapping each daily surprise? That’s what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.
I hope these tips help you DIY a one-of-a-kind advent calendar that makes December magical for you and your loved ones! Let me know if you have any other questions — and happy holidays!