The countdown to Christmas has officially started! The suspense accompanying the holiday season is partially why it is one of our favorite holidays in the first place. Each passing day is filled with the promise of fun, friends, and presents from Santa—what’s not to like? One of our favorite ways to savor the season is with Advent calendars, which is why we’ve rounded up the best DIY examples to help you and yours countdown to the 25th in style. These homemade calendars are perfect for tracking the days until Rudolph, and his pals, come galloping across your roof, and their ability to fit in any holiday decor scheme makes them even cuter.
We have rounded up enough ideas to ensure everyone in your family has an advent calendar to fit their style. Favor something more traditional? Try crafting our calendar made from the ornaments of Christmas long, long ago. We’ve got everything from a homemade Christmas cookie advent calendar to a fun gumball machine method to keep the kiddos entertained all season. No matter the skill set, or the style of your home, you’re guaranteed to find an Advent calendar you’ll love. And, if you’re not feeling super crafty this holiday season, we have rounded up some of our favorite kids' advent calendars you can buy.
Star Garland Advent Calendar
Stars aren't just for tree toppers! This symbol of Christmas also makes the perfect advent calendar. Boxes of various sizes can hold all kinds of gifts and surprises.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Christmas Lights Advent Calendar
Brighten up your house before you even put up your Christmas lights. Each colorful "bulb" comes with a sweet surprise!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Felt Truck Advent Calendar
Your kids will love their advent calendar regardless, but we think they'll take to this cute felt version even more. The truck is packed with goodies, just like Santa's sleigh!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Mini Boxes Advent Calendar
Sometimes the simplest projects turn out the prettiest. All this DIY calendar requires? Mini boxes, pom-poms, and number stickers for an easy, yet colorful, countdown.
Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.
DIY Fabric Advent Calendar
If you're handy with a needle and thread, you can craft this ultra-contemporary Advent calendar. Looking for a more traditional feel? Swap out the black and gray for red and green or other holiday colors.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Colorful Paper Bag Advent Calendar
This showstopper features an array of bold colors, but if that's not your style, feel free to swap 'em out for neutrals, soft pastels, or classic black-and-white.
Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Party.
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
You can use scrapbook paper to make the evergreens in this homey Advent calendar, and then for extra fun write Christmas activities inside the trees!
Get the tutorial at Tried and True Creative.
Hanging Bags Advent Calendar
Kids will get a kick out of this playful piece featuring paper bags covered in penguin-printed paper and other fun designs. It's just the thing to hang in their playroom come December!
Get the tutorial at A Subtle Revelry.
Paper Christmas Village Advent Calendar
Unlike most Christmas village sets, which will set you back a few hundred dollars, this handcrafted series costs next to nothing to make and still packs plenty of Christmas cheer.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Mason Jar Advent Calendar
Is just isn't Christmas without at least one Mason jar craft, is it? And this one even helps the kiddos count down to Christmas with sweet treats inside inside the jars.
Get the tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage.
Wood Pallet Advent Calendar
Opt for rustic, reclaimed wood for the base of this piece (think discarded pallets, leftover timber, or a set of planks) to make it fit in with the rest of your country chic decor.
Get the tutorial at Average But Inspired.
Rustic Chalkboard Advent Calendar
Thanks to this blogger's free template, you can easily fold and craft these cute advent boxes. While painting them silver makes them look like galvanized metal, we think gold, red, or white would match, too.
Get the tutorial at Houseful of Handmade.
Tin Can Advent Calendar
Repurpose empty containers (coffee and tea canisters, cans, etc.) to make this eye-catching arrangement on the cheap. This blogger filled hers with coffees, though you can stuff yours with cookies, candy, or other treats.
Get the tutorial at Look What I Made.
Customizable Christmas Advent Calendar
This colorful advent calendar forgoes traditional Christmas hues in favor of a more modern palette.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Galvanized Garland Advent Calendar
You can assemble and display this easy-to-make arrangement just about anywhere. Tie teeny metal pails to colorful ribbon and then hang alongside your favorite garland.
Yesteryear Trinkets
Hung inside an old hotel key cabinet, numbered gift tags adorned with tiny ornaments make for a homespun Christmas countdown.
Fireplace Advent Calendar
Let guests play Santa for a day! Instead of candy, fill advent calendar pouches with guests' names, then let that day's Saint Nick choose the activity, from caroling to cookie making.
Envelope Advent Calendar
Count down the days until Christmas with little paper envelopes, sized to hold all sorts of surprises: candy, tickets, tiny toys. Use rubber stamps to ink the dates, and other motifs, on the envelopes. You can also embellish them by adding tags, string, washi tape, and clip art. Then, simply pin the envelopes on a pretty corkboard.
Advent Blessings Jar
Not only do your kids count down to Christmas with this ingenious Advent calendar, every craft stick also reminds them of their blessings. Even better, they drop coins in the jar each day, which go to their favorite charity when all the sticks all gone.
Get the tutorial at Thirty Handmade Days.
Chalkboard Style
"This calendar was part-inspired by an old-fashioned borrowing system used at my primary school library," writes blogger Kristine. She also combined her love of typography and wall charts to complete the craft.
Get the tutorial at The Painted Hive.
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