25+ DIY Advent Calendars to Make

Advent Calendars you can make

The one tradition I was the most excited about starting when we finally had our first child was some kind of Christmas countdown or advent calendar.

I wanted to have a way to celebrate a little every day as we worked our way toward Christmas on December 25th. 

Whether you are new to the advent calendar tradition or just looking to mix things up, here are more than 25 great advent countdown ideas you are sure to love!

Advent Calendar FAQ's

If you are new to the advent calendar tradition, you might have some questions about how it works and how to set it up!

How many days is an advent calendar?

Advent calendars traditionally have 25 days although some calendars will take a 12 Days of Christmas style approach and only have 12 spots. The countdown typically starts on December 1 and runs until Christmas day.

What do you put in an advent calendar?

Some people like to put little treats like candy in their advent calendars. Others like to use more usable gifts like socks, chapstick, pencils or things similar to what you use as stocking stuffers.

Some of my favorite advent calendars aren't about candy or stuff but have reusable things like books or slips of paper with activity suggestions or acts of kindness to do.


DIY advent calendar ideas! Lots of different ideas for advent celndar fillers, countdowns with bags, chains, calendars made from wood and more. This is such a fun Christmas activity to do with kids. Craft one yourself or get a free printable to help. #adventcalendar

DIY Advent Calendars to Make to Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Advent Calendar Countdown with Books
from Creative Green Living

This is a picture of one of the very first advent countdowns I ever made. I wrapped up 24 different Christmas books in kraft paper, tied red yarn around like ribbon in lots of different fun ways and numbered each package. 

Each night we opened that day's book and read it together. Even if you don't own 24 books, you can do this with library books, too!

Here are some other bloggers DIY advent calendar and Christmas count down ideas:

Abbreviated Advent Calendar for busy families or small kids
12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar
from Cherished Bliss
This abbreviated Advent calendar is great for smaller attention spans or for those families that are just too busy during the holiday season.


40 day Orthodox version and regular printable advent calendar
Printable Chalkboard Advent Calendar
(40 day Orthodox version available as well)
from Sweet C's Designs
These simple Advent calendar printables produce a lovely calendar that will add class to any home.

easy DIY countdown service chain to count down to the Christmas holiday
Christmas Countdown Service Chain
from Bombshell Bling
This easy and thoughtful Christmas Coundown Service Chain has a fun personal twist. On each chain write an act of service task to perform for various family and friends.


Use this DIY Advent calendar year after year
Muffin Tin Advent Calendar and Free Printable
from Club Chica Circle
This darling Advent calendar can be reused year after year. The printable makes this a fun and simple holiday craft.


Upcycle an old frame to create this reusable Advent calendar
Upcycled Framed Advent Calendar
from The Scrap Shoppe
This reusable Advent calendar is a unique way to upcycle a used frame.


affordable santa Advent calendar helps kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas
Activity-Based Advent Calendar
from Laura's Crafty Life
 This cheap Santa Advent calendar, helps kids focus on the things that truly matter during the Christmas season.


Favor tins help make this reusable DIY Advent calendar
DIY Magnetic Advent Calendar
from Artsy Fartsy Mama
Using favor tins makes this eye-catching reusable calendar fun to use year after year. 


Recycled paper rolls and Christmas paper remnants make this Advent
Simple Recycled Christmas Advent Bucket
from The Country Chic Cottage
The whimsical Advent calendar recycles toilet paper and paper towel rolls as well as scraps of Christmas paper. Fill with your favorite small treats!


Upcycling an old cd tower for this beautiful Advent calendar
CD Tower Advent Calendar
from DIY Inspired
Upcycle an old CD Tower into this beautiful advent countdown shelf that you can use for years to come.


screen printed advent calendar is easy to make
Screen Printed Advent Calendar
(it's easier thank it sounds!)
from Happiness is Homemade
This beautiful piece can bring memories to your family for years!

This craft Santa Advent is a cute way to countdown to the holidays
Cloth Advent Calendar
from Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom
This crafty advent calendar will bring joy to children's faces everywhere. Free pattern included!


Thoughtful Advent counts down with random acts of kindness
Random Act of Kindness Advent Tree
from The Space Between
This thoughtful advent tree gives random acts of service tasks to pass on the Christmas Spirit.


Cute countdown to Christmas board that's easy to make
Christmas Countdown Board
from The Girl Creative
Use your imagination to create this beautiful Christmas Countdown Board to make it fit with your holiday decor.


This easy and elegant doorway Advent is a beautiful countdown to Christmas
Snowflake Doorway Advent Calendar
from House of Joyful Noise
This easy and elegant snowflake doorway advent calendar is a beautiful way to countdown to Christmas. Slips of paper contain special activities for the day or a task of service to someone. Spread the Christmas cheer.


Use this fun countdown to Christmas with free printables
Christmas Countdown Activity Envelope
from A Girl and a Glue Gun
A fun countdown including free printables of fun things to do during December! This easy envelope advent idea is a great way to countdown until Christmas.


Great list of eco-friendly activities to use as prizes in this DIY Advent calendar
Activity-Based Calendar (with list of eco-friendly activities)
from Healthful Mama
This heartfelt advent calendar is easy to make and has a great sample list of eco-friendly activities to use for each daily activity.


Adorable mini clothespins and mittens make this a fun holiday advent calendar
Mitten and Washi Tape Calendar
from Just Us Four
The adorable little mini clothespins make this little mitten advent calendar a joy for all.


Cheap DIY Advent calendar to bring beauty to your holiday
Simple Nordic Paper Bag Advent Calendar
from Northern Feeling
This inexpensive DIY Advent bag calendar can make any banister or fireplace look ready for the holidays!

Cute outdoor Christmas countdown marquee is a unique way to countdown to Christmas
Outdoor Christmas Countdown Marquee Sign
from The DIY Dreamer
This DIY Christmas countdown sign is great for even novice woodworkers. This is another great one to reuse year after year.


This Christmas countdown Advent only uses a few supplies and is easy to make.
Magnetic Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar
from Our Crafty Mom
A fun magnetic Christmas countdown advent that kids will love using just a few supplies.


Re-purpose old ripped jeans to make this mini stocking advent calendar
Denim DIY Mini Stocking Reusable Advent Calendar
from Vicky Myers Creations
Repurpose old ripped jeans to make this stylish mini stocking advent calendar. 

Sew this reusable advent calendar to use every Christmas
How to Sew a Fabric Advent Calendar with Pockets
from The DIY Dreamer
This Advent calendar can be used to countdown the days by moving an item down each day. Place special treats, notes etc. for each day leading up to Christmas!


This DIY pet Advent is easy to make and a great way to include pets in the holidays
DIY Pet Advent Calendar
from Honest & Truly
This pet advent calendar is easy to make, cute to display and a fun way to include your pets in this timeless tradition.


This reusable Advent is a great addition to any family tradition
Wall Mounted Advent Calendar
from The DIY Dreamer
Make this rustic farmhouse style advent calendar to be a pretty addition to your holiday decor.


Create this LEGO Christmas countdown with places hold a small candy or note
Build your own LEGO Advent Calendar (with doors and candy)!
from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Create an epic LEGO Christmas Countdown with 24 doors to open. Each space can hold a small candy or note.


DIY advent calendar ideas! Lots of different ideas for advent celndar fillers, countdowns with bags, chains, calendars made from wood and more. This is such a fun Christmas activity to do with kids. Craft one yourself or get a free printable to help. #adventcalendar

If you loved this post, you might also be interested in these awesome articles:


Carissa Bonham, author, owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living

About the Author:

Carissa is an award-winning green lifestyle writer and mom of two active boys. The owner and lead writer for Creative Green Living, she most recently won the "Best Green Lifestyle Blogger" award at ShiftCon 2019 in Atlanta.

Her goal is to empower families to make healthier, more sustainable choices that are beautiful and delicious! 

She is also the author of Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017), Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens (Skyhorse, 2018) and The Little Green Book of Mothers' Wisdom (Skyhorse, 2020). 

Follow her on PinterestInstagramTwitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe on Facebook.


Do you like this post? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
When you subscribe you can download our FREE Recycled Crafts E-book!

1 comment

I love comments! I welcome your comments and questions about this article here!