These DIY advent calendars remind me and my family to slow down and truly savor the magic and wonder of this season. Christmas is such a meaningful, spiritual time, yet it can easily slide into commercialism, decor and stress. I love crafting a DIY advent calendar with my kids to keep our focus where it belongs.
It’s that time of year again, when an advent calendar counts down the days to Christmas. These DIY advent calendars are a traditional Christmas countdown and a lovely way to enjoy the season with your kids and the whole family. It’s even more special that you can easily make them together.
Sure, you can buy a million different advent calendars at the store, but none compare to one you make yourself. It’s a fun way to get involved in the countdown.
You’ll love seeing everyone’s faces light up when they see your finished project. Plus, you can reuse it year after year and enjoy it for a long time.
11 DIY Advent Calendars to Celebrate the Season
You can make your advent calendar as simple or as elaborate as you like. I especially love pairing each day with something special, whether that’s a family activity, a treat, a scripture or a small toy. Take a look at these ideas for inspiration.
Snowy DIY Christmas Tree
First up is my own advent calendar DIY! It’s easy to make. You’ll just need a few basic supplies to recreate this simple but rustic advent calendar.
Each day you open a card to see what’s on the agenda. It could be writing a letter to Santa or going Christmas caroling. The options are endless, so feel free to add your own special touch.
Wooden DIY Advent Calendar
This wooden advent calendar is adorable and easy to make. Galvanized buckets are filled with little treasures for each day leading up to Christmas.
Not only will the kids love it, but it’s also a beautiful way to decorate your home, just like Eden at Sugar & Charm did. Add your own personal touch, like little notes or gifts that are inside jokes for your family. However you go about it, be sure to have lots of fun.
DIY Box Advent Calendar on Canvas
Although I don’t always go for traditional Christmas colors, this DIY advent calendar with stamped numbers is adorable. It has some classic colors, but they feel more playful and fresh.
Amy at Modge Podge Rocks attached little cardboard boxes to a large canvas. She used plenty of bright colors to match the theme.
Advent Calendar Star Garland
I love how A Beautiful Mess created this gorgeous star advent calendar garland. You’ll only need a few basic supplies and some gold leaf paper to make your own. I find this idea so unique and playful. Hang it on your mantel, a ladder or even a wall. Each day you can tuck in a simple little trinket or gift, and everyone will adore it.
Glamorous DIY Advent Calendar
You can never have too much glam during the holidays. If it shimmers or sparkles, it’s sure to be a hit. This delightful DIY advent calendar has plenty of shimmer and shine and looks stunning, too. Kimberly at Swoon Worthy focused on pinks and golds to create this amazing calendar. She truly outdid herself!
Advent Calendar on a Chalkboard
It’s impossible not to fall head over heels for this beautiful chalkboard advent calendar. Karianne at Thistlewood Farms went above and beyond with this stunning version. She decorated it with a daily Christmas ornament, and it turned out perfectly.
Mini DIY Box Advent Calendar
Alice & Lois made these adorable advent boxes topped with pom-poms. Each box has a number, a pom-pom and a little trinket inside. They’re so cute, and the kids will love them. This style is especially great if you love bright colors when decorating for Christmas.
Paper Bag DIY Advent Calendar
Tell Love And Party thought outside the box with this idea. Using paper gift bags for a DIY advent calendar is nearly genius. Fill them with candy or other little Christmas treats, and the kids will go wild. Plus, it looks adorable with its bright pinks and greens. This playful advent calendar is pure FUN!
Printable Advent Calendar in Bright Colors
A Subtle Revelry made the prettiest DIY advent calendar, full of vibrant colors. She also provides a printable download to help you get started. You’ll love how easy this one is to make and the impact it has on your space.
Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar
It’s time to start saving those cardboard paper towel or toilet paper rolls so you can make your own advent calendar. It’s always nice to use things you already have around the house that would normally be thrown away.
Reusing items not only looks fabulous, but it’s also great for the environment. Smashed Peas and Carrots did a terrific job on this advent calendar!
Advent Calendar with Faux Pallet Wood
Average But Inspired got creative with this faux pallet wood advent calendar. Pallet wood in decent shape can be hard to find, so making a faux version is a great idea. She painted an adorable Christmas tree on the wood, and it turned out beautifully.
Chalkboard Advent Calendar for Christmas
For several years in a row, a few years back, I hung cute little countdown cards on my kitchen chalkboard. The one in the photo above was simply a printable countdown with an ornament to hang on the tree or a cookie cutter tied to each day.
The countdown below had little ideas under each number for getting into the holiday spirit. It was such a fun advent calendar that year, and it helped us check things off our Christmas bucket list!
I hope these beautiful DIY advent calendars have inspired you to pull out your crafting supplies and get to work! The end result is so worth it.
Adorable Advent Calendars You Can Buy
If you don’t have time to make your own, I took a quick look around the web and found a few that caught my eye!
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