If you are ready to celebrate the countdown to Christmas, make an advent calendar! Here are 20+ DIY advent calendars that will inspire you.
The holidays are so exciting – don’t you want a countdown calendar to mark when the “big day” is near? And by countdown calendar I mean advent calendar . . . counting down from the first of December to the 25th.
I particularly love the kind that have an edible treat behind the door, but hey, all advent calendars are fine by me.
DIY Advent Calendars
In doing a little research to see what kind of calendar I’d want to make this year, I found a ton of awesome ideas. Are you in love with DIY advent calendars too? If so, scroll down to get inspired!
(don’t forget check out our 20 free Christmas printables, 16 ways to make a Christmas tree skirt, or 20 DIY Christmas stockings!)
DIY Advent Calendars
Have fun counting down the days until Christmas with one of these unique DIY advent calendars.
Coffee Mug Wall Rack
With muslin bags, iron-on numbers and some little trinkets, you can turn a mug rack into a fun advent calendar!
Felt Shapes
Forego the candy for cute little felt shapes – you pick one out of the pocket and put on the tree each day.
Wood Snowman
Looking for one of those advent calendar ideas that is truly unique? Make this wood snowman advent calendar and use it again year after year!
Dry Erase
Turn an old window frame into a dry erase calendar that counts down the days until Christmas.
Chalkboard Boxes
Decorate a mini tree with these cute boxes – and it’s not that expensive to make.
Plastic Animals
Paint various plastic animals white and give them each a Rudolph nose. Attach them to numbered boxes to create your calendar. So cute!
Mini Matchboxes
For a teenie version of an advent calendar, use small matchboxes and and wrapping paper.
Vintage Look Wood
Count down the days until Christmas by turning over each numbered ornament. The other side is beautifully painted with distress oxide spray.
Felt Banner
Standard advent calendars hang on the wall – this one can hang across a frame or doorway.
Paper Rolls
This calendar is practically free, given that it’s made from toilet paper rolls – all you need are small gifts to fill it.
Printable Boxes
You don’t need anything more than the printable to make these fun black and white advent boxes.
Rustic Farmhouse
Turn a wood tray and discs into a beautiful farmhouse-inspired Christmas countdown. This design would go with any color theme you have for the holidays!
Big Canvas
Use a large canvas and boxes of all different sizes to create this large, statement advent calendar.
Budget Frame
I can’t believe how inexpensive this advent frame was to put together and how awesome it looks!
Etched Luminaries
You always knew those baby food jars you saved would come in handy for something! These etched luminaries make a beautiful advent calendar.
Favor Bags
Use treat bags and the provided fun graphics to create an advent calendar in minutes.
Christmas Street
You can create a Christmas street display using this colorful printable set.
Clothespins
A white picture frame and twine make a great background for the colorful washi tape covered clothespins used in this calendar.
Paper Chain
Children can assemble their own easy holiday paper chain countdown using this tutorial! This kids advent calendar is made from construction paper and is candy-free.
Punch Board
Take your holiday excitement out on this calendar by punching through a hole each day.
Magnet Board
This cool advent calendar uses sheet metal and vinyl stickers to make a fun magnetic board.
K-Cups
Save up some of your used k-cups to create this super cute advent calendar. You can put a little candy and a paper with an activity on it for each day.
Countdown Hanger
Use old toilet paper rolls and scrapbook paper to create a statement calendar that can hang in the doorway.
Would you try one of these advent calendar ideas? Let me know in the comments!
Lilian (karaimame)
Wednesday 13th of November 2013
Hi Amy! Thank you so much to have my Advent Calendar included in this delicious list of ideas! All of them are so great and surely a huge source of inspiration ;)