Advent calendars have long been used to mark down the time until Christmas day, but have you ever thought of making one yourself? Many are great holiday decorations for a small home because they can hang on the wall or be displayed on a counter or fireplace mantel, leaving your floor space free. And they make for some fun activities to get you in the holiday spirit! (And not just for the kids!)
Ready to dive into the best DIY advent calendar ideas we could find out there for the holiday season? We are! It’s so much fun adding a little bit of Christmas into every single day starting December first, and really adds to the anticipation of Christmas. Not to mention, these projects are just fun to make, too! We hope you have a blast making these, and please share in the comments which were your favorites!
Hanging Advent Calendar DIY Ideas
Did you know your advent calendars could also double as wall art? Well, you do now! These DIY advent calendar ideas are a great way to decorate your home for the holiday season, and they bring a treat with them each day!
Handmade Advent Calendar with Pegs
We are in love with this sweet DIY advent calendar from Johanna Rundel. You will need Google Translate for this page as it’s in German, but that’s a small price to pay for this incredibly crafty clothespin calendar full of little seasonal surprises! Fill these little packages with small treats as a fun way to get you in the holiday spirit each day!
Natural, Reusable, Easy DIY Advent Calendar
This pink & copper DIY advent calendar is pretty, and you could use it year after year. Made from paper mâché boxes (for the treats!) and card stock, this is an easy project you can do with the kids, but still show off to friends and family! Tutorial from ‘Bird’s Party‘.
Easy DIY Advent Calendar with a Coat Hanger
Want to go simple this year? Then check out this minimal (but super lovely) advent from Motte. A wooden hanger and some brown paper-wrapped treat boxes. Voila!
Stocking DIY Advent Calendar
Kids will love this DIY advent calendar with mini stockings full of Christmas goodies! From Kristi Murphy, the kids may even want to help making this fun holiday project! If you don’t want to fill them with candy, how about small toys, coupons for privileges, or just little notes telling the kids how amazing they are!
DIY Advent Calendar with Fabric Pockets
This is such a cute idea! This is another reusable advent, which we LOVE. You can find the tutorial over at Dot n Cross, and if you have a sewing machine, this is one of the most gorgeous DIY advent calendars you can make.
Traditional DIY Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas
Sometimes, the original is the best. If you’re looking to make your own advent calendar that still actually looks like a calendar, these tutorials are for you.
Christmas Advent Calendar for Kids
This heirloom DIY countdown calendar from A Beautiful Mess is gorgeous, simple to make, and something everyone will love. Swap out traditional Christmas stockings for these mini ones and open small gifts each day of December! You still can customize the colors to be more traditional if you prefer. And, you don’t have to own a sewing machine as this project is easy to hand stitch.
Decorative DIY Advent Calendar for Walls
One great thing about this lovely calendar is that it also serves as a pretty decorative screen if you turn it around. From Kraft & Carat, this one is in French. A bit Art Deco in style, count down to the holidays with something pretty enough to be year-round decor! This is great in small homes where you might not have much room to store holiday decor… just turn it around!
Christmas Tree DIY Advent Calendar
This super colorful advent calendar in the shape of a Christmas tree is easy to make, and fun for everyone in the family! And, it’s made of wood, so you can keep it and use it year after year. Find the full step by step tutorial over at A Kailo Chic Life to make your own reusable advent calendar. The best part about this one is that you don’t have to stick to little gifts or a sweet treat each day – write anything you want on the back!
DIY Advent Calendar Ideas with Free Printables
From Crafting Cheerfully, this countdown calendar is something you can make, honest! We know it looks like some cool Christmas decor you bought and paid for, but with this tutorial, you can make it yourself! Free printables as well. (Two different scenes to choose from!)
DIY Sewn Christmas Advent Calendar
If you’re handy with a sewing machine, these fabric homemade advent calendars are adorable! Plus, they can be used year after year – who doesn’t love a good reusable advent calendar?! Find all the details over at Apple Green Cottage.
Ideas for DIY Advent Calendar Boxes
Who DOESN’T love opening a Christmas present each day during December? These Christmas advent calendars will get you (and the kids) into the holiday season, and they’re a cute addition to the living room. No excuses for not having perfect unwrapping skills by the 25th!
Wintery DIY Advent Calendar Boxes
Use small gift boxes and little mini Christmas trees to create a forest of festivities! This advent is really creative, and we love the use of the boxes as the “mountain”. From dekotopia. Check out Google Translate, you may need it, though there are tons of step-by-step photos as well!
DIY Advent Calendar with Individual Christmas Trees
Okay, these aren’t exactly boxes, but we still love them! This DIY advent calendar is made from tiny Christmas trees, and filled with the best treat ever! Perfect if you are going for a “meaning over money” holiday. Go on over to Your DIY Family to find out how they made it, and what they filled it with!
Activity Advent Calendar with Elves
Do your kids love elves? Well Efzin Creations made this genius little Christmas countdown calendar with embroidery hoops, yarn and some pretty tags and boxes… and adorable elves from the craft store… You could make this for your family for the holidays too!
Christmas Advent Calendar with Mini Jars
Make this elves countdown calendar with recycled baby food jars! This tutorial for the elf house advent comes with free printable for the top of the jars and complete plans to build the “house”. From ‘Oh Oh Deco‘.
DIY Punch Out Advent Calendar
This advent calendar looks great, but it’s really all about the punching! Your kids (ok, and you) will love punching out the jars each day – it’s so satisfying! Plus, the calendar is a super easy DIY craft project that’s fun for the whole family. Its Always Autumn has the details!
Stunning DIY Advent Calendar Boxes
How beautiful are these?! These gorgeous advent calendar boxes are perfect if you have a large area in your home that you’re decorating for the festive season. The tutorial is over at G45 Papers, and it’s an easy-to-follow video!
Use These DIY Advent Calendar Ideas to Build the Christmas Hype!
There you have it! We hope you enjoyed all these fun ideas for DIY advent calendars! These are so much fun for little kids and adults alike to make and enjoy throughout the season. Got a fave yet? Let us know in the comments which you’ll be making this Christmas season! Also check out our posts on our very own DIY Christmas Tree Using Firefly Lights, and Gorgeous DIY Christmas Ornaments! Also check out DIY Christmas Yard Decorations over at TGG…
Image Credits: A Kailo Chic Life
