25+ Advent Calendar Ideas for Christmas | DIY & More
Looking for a special way to count down to Christmas?
Advent calendars have come a long way from the little chocolate calendars we remember as children. Today, you can make or find them in all sorts of shapes and styles — from pretty fabric pockets and tiny Christmas villages to paper bags, recycled materials, crochet, knitting, and reusable handmade designs.
Whether you want to make your own Advent calendar, buy one, or need inspiration, this collection will help you explore the possibilities and decide what works for you.
And if you’re making one, you’ll also find ideas for what to put inside — from little treats and gifts to activities, messages and meaningful Christmas traditions.
A little Easy on the Tongue Tradition
For our family, Advent calendars have always been about more than counting down the days until Christmas. They became part of our own Christmas traditions, with the anticipation of opening something each day adding a little bit of magic to December.
Over the years, I’ve come to love the idea that an Advent calendar doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. It can be handmade, filled with little treats, activities, messages, or simply something that gives the family a reason to pause and enjoy the season together.
This fun tradition got me thinking about just how many different ways there are to make an Advent calendar…
What is an Advent Calendar?
An Advent calendar is a Christmas countdown traditionally containing 24 numbered doors, pockets, bags or compartments. Advent calendar ideas can include reusable fabric calendars, DIY paper calendars, recycled materials, Christmas villages, handmade crochet and knitted designs, and calendars filled with gifts, treats, or activities.
25+ Beautiful Advent Calendar Ideas
The best Advent calendars aren’t necessarily the most elaborate ones — they’re the ones that become part of your family’s Christmas memories.
Here are some Advent calendar ideas to inspire you, whether you’d like to make your own or choose one to buy:
1. Fabric & Felt Advent Calendars
Fabric Advent calendars are a lovely choice if you’d like something you can bring out year after year. You can choose from individual hanging bags, rows of pockets, little stockings, or a quilted design…
- Fabric Pocket Advent Calendar – Check out the PDF pattern for the Festive House refillable advent calendar designed by TatiaCreativeStudio on Etsy. Fill it with small surprises that won’t break the bank.
- Here is another easy DIY fabric advent calendar from The Merrythought.
A reusable fabric calendar is a lovely choice if you’d like something you can bring out year after year. This is an easy and straightforward sewing project (image below).
Photo and project: The Merrythought (with permission).
- Mini Felt Stocking Advent Calendar – from A Beautiful Mess. This beautiful reusable Advent calendar from A Beautiful Mess is made with 24 handmade felt stockings, each individually decorated and numbered. Hung from a simple wooden frame, it’s designed to become a Christmas tradition that can be brought out year after year. The stockings can be filled with small treats, gifts, or Christmas activity ideas.
Photo and project: A Beautiful Mess (with permission)
- Felt Christmas Tree Calendar
- Hanging Fabric Advent Bags
- Quilted Christmas Village – by StitchNest provides ample inspiration for an adorable Christmas keepsake.
- Felt Pocket Calendar
- Christmas Character Pocket Calendar
2. Paper & Card Advent Calendars
Paper Advent calendars are an easy and inexpensive way to create a handmade Christmas countdown. Try paper bags, envelopes, paper pockets, Christmas trees, little houses, and festive paper villages you can decorate with your older kids to suit your Christmas style. It can turn into a real Advent activity.
Use the free cutting file and tutorial for the Silhouette machine.
- Envelope Christmas Tree
- Paper Cone Advent Calendar
- Numbered Paper Bags
- Christmas Card Advent Calendar
- Paper Christmas Village
- Hanging Paper Pockets
- Accordion/Fold-Out Advent Calendar
3. Recycled & Upcycled Advent Calendars
Give everyday items a festive makeover with these creative recycled Advent calendar ideas. Toilet rolls, cardboard boxes, jars, tins, matchboxes, and other household materials turned into unique DIY Christmas countdown calendars.
This is the perfect opportunity to recycle and save on Christmas decor. Let’s look at some examples:-
- Jar Advent Calendar
- Toilet Roll Advent Calendar
- Matchbox Advent Calendar
- Tin Can Advent Calendar
- Cardboard Box Advent Calendar
- Paper Cup Advent Calendar
4. Christmas Village Advent Calendars
Create a little Christmas wonderland with an Advent calendar made from miniature houses, cottages or festive village scenes. Number each house or compartment and fill it with a small treat, gift or Christmas activity. These charming displays can become a beautiful part of your Christmas décor year after year.
- Mini Christmas Village Advent Calendar
- Paper Christmas Village
- Wooden House Advent Calendar
- Christmas Village Shelf Display
- Gingerbread House Advent Calendar
- Mini Christmas Houses with Numbered Doors
Idea: Instead of hiding a treat behind each door, make each little house part of a growing Christmas village. Add one house each day until the whole village is complete.
5. Hanging Advent Calendars
Make the countdown to Christmas part of your festive decorations with a hanging Advent calendar. Suspend numbered bags, little stockings, envelopes or gift boxes from a branch, wooden ladder, garland or decorative frame. It’s a lovely way to display your creativity while keeping each day’s surprise within easy reach.
- Branch Advent Calendar – Small numbered bags hanging from a rustic branch.
- Ladder Advent Calenda – Great for farmhouse/rustic Christmas décor.
- Christmas Garland Advent Calendar – Numbered envelopes, bags or pockets attached to a garland.
- Wreath Advent Calendar
- Peg Advent Calendar – Numbered bags attached to ribbon/string with wooden pegs.
- Hanging Christmas Stockings
6. Creative Advent Calendar Displays
Your pretty Advent calendar doesn’t have to hang on a wall in a traditional row of pockets. Try hanging Advent calendars from branches, ladders, pegboards, wreaths and garlands, or create a creative Christmas display using bags, boxes or little numbered packages.
- Hula Hoop Advent Calendar
- Pegboard Advent Calendar
- Branch & Hanging Bags
- Ladder Advent Calendar
- Wreath Advent Calendar
7. Crochet & Knitted Advent Calendars
For knitters and crocheters, an Advent calendar can become a special handmade Christmas project. Try crochet Advent calendar pockets, knitted Advent bags, Christmas stockings, crochet Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, and festive ornaments for a reusable countdown.
If you start early enough, you may be able to make such a special calendar for the whole family.
- Mini Striped Crochet Mittens by MJs off the Hook Designs
These adorable mini striped mittens are a fun handmade addition to a Christmas Advent calendar. They’re quick and beginner-friendly to crochet, and you can fill them with little treats or hang them from an Advent tree as festive decorations.
- Crochet Pocket Advent Calendar
- Crochet Christmas Tree Calendar – A handmade Christmas tree with 24 little pockets makes a lovely reusable Advent calendar.
- Crochet Gingerbread House Calendar
- Knitted Advent Bags
- Crochet Ornament Advent Calendar
- Knitted Pocket Advent Calendar
- Crochet Christmas Stocking Calendar
- Knitted Christmas Stocking Calendar
- Knitted Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
- Crochet Christmas Character Calendar
- Mini Crochet Bags
Handmade Advent Calendar
A handmade Christmas calendar can be decorated with tiny Christmas trees, stockings, stars, ornaments or other festive motifs. Knitted Christmas Tree Hanging Advent Calendar
Turn a simple knitted Christmas tree garland into a fun Advent countdown! Knit the mini mitered trees using my free Mini Mitered Christmas Tree Garland pattern, then attach small numbered tags from 1 to 24 using miniature craft or scrapbooking number stickers, tags or clips. Hang the garland on a wall, mantel or shelf, and add a tiny treat, activity or Christmas message to each day. It’s a lovely way to give a simple handmade decoration a festive new purpose (and to reuse old Christmas crochet and knitting patterns…)
8. Advent Calendars for Kids
Make the countdown to Christmas extra exciting for young kids with colourful Advent calendars filled with small treats, toys, crafts, and daily activities. Reusable pockets, stockings, paper houses, and activity Advent calendars are all fun ways to build anticipation for Christmas.
Activity Advent Calendar
Each pocket contains an activity:
- Make something for someone else
- Make a Christmas card
- Bake cookies
- Decorate the tree
- Make a Christmas ornament
- Read a Christmas story
- Watch a Christmas movie
- Make paper snowflakes
- Do a Christmas craft
- Visit Christmas lights
9. Advent Calendars for Adults
Advent calendars aren’t just for children. Create a thoughtful Christmas countdown for adults with tea, coffee, chocolates, stationery, beauty treats, craft supplies, small gifts, inspirational messages or experiences to enjoy throughout December. I’m hoping to receive an adult advent calendar this festive season…
- DIY Gift Box Advent Colandar by Charlotte.M on Etsy (image below) – Purchase, Download, Print and Fold this very modern and cute advent calendar.
Original image is the property of the designer.
more adult Advent Calendar ideas
Other adult calendars are:
a crafters advent calendar
Instead of chocolates, make a homemade advent calendar. Make a calendar filled with:
- mini skeins
- buttons
- stitch markers
- embroidery thread
- beads
- crochet hooks
- knitting notions
- fabric scraps
- mini patterns
- project ideas
- craft books
- knitting or crochet courses
10. Advent Calendars Beyond Gifts
♥ Book Calendar
A book a day (keeps boredom away!)
♥ Acts of Kindness Calendar
One kindness activity for every day.
♥ Ornament-a-Day Calendar
Add one ornament to the tree every day.
♥ Family Activity Calendar
Bake, watch a Christmas movie, make decorations, visit Christmas lights, etc.
♥ Photo Advent Calendar
Reveal a family photograph each day.
♥ Christmas Memory Calendar
A memory, story or family tradition behind every door.
♥ Scripture Advent Calendar
A meaningful verse every day. You can be so creative here, think of a beautiful created image verse message, a quote, a printable to keep in your Bible….so many ways to sow seeds of eternity.
♥ Puzzle Advent Calendar
One puzzle/piece each day.
What Can You Put Inside an Advent Calendar?
For Kids
- stickers
- crayons
- small toys
- puzzles
- sweets
- craft supplies
- activity cards
For Crafters
- yarn
- buttons
- beads
- notions
- patterns
- fabric
- stitch markers
For Adults
- tea
- coffee
- chocolates
- stationery
- beauty treats
- inspirational notes
- gift cards
- date ideas
Free/Low-Cost Ideas
Give something from the heart…
- compliments
- Christmas jokes
- Bible verses
- family activities
- acts of kindness
- memories
- Christmas movie suggestions
- “Today we bake…” cards
How to Choose the Right Advent Calendar
Here is a small chart to help you decide which calendar to make:
| If you want… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Something reusable | Fabric calendar |
| Something inexpensive | Paper bags |
| Something eco-friendly | Recycled calendar |
| Something decorative | Christmas village |
| Something handmade | Crochet or knitted |
| Something for children | Activity calendar |
| Something for adults | Treat/experience calendar |
| Something meaningful | Kindness or scripture calendar |
Create Your Own Christmas Advent Tradition
Whether you choose a handmade fabric calendar, a crochet Christmas tree, a collection of little paper houses or a calendar filled with family activities, there are so many ways to make the countdown to Christmas special.
You don’t need an expensive calendar or a complicated project. Start with an idea you love, add your own creative touch, and make it a tradition that brings a little joy to December.
After all, the best Advent calendar is the one that makes Christmas feel a little more magical for you and your family.
Remember: Creativity has no rules. You can absolutely make what you want and how you want is. Nothing is perfect.
Michelle, I am so embarrassed because my pins are not displayed correctly at the moment. There is a glitch with my content builder and I had to share it to be fixed. Hopefully they can come to my rescue soon!
Such stunning ideas Amanda. We made our first Advent calendar this year but I wish I’d seen your lovely printables before. It would have made my life so much easier. Baie dankie, I’m pinning them for next year