Make the Countdown to Christmas So Special With DIY Advent Calendars (2024)

Why make your average advent calendar when you can make a whole advent tree?! Decorate unfinished wood bird houses, fill them with tiny surprises, and nestle them into a mini Christmas tree for your most fabulous and festive countdown yet!

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

SHOP FAUX CHRISTMAS TREES

Encourage everyone in your family to get into the true spirit of the season with this kindness calendar that's filled with ideas for small but significant good deeds. Each day can you join together to do things like deliver candy canes to neighbors, draw holiday chalk art with friends, bake cookies for others, and more.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

Looking for a truly unique idea? This one is like an advent calendar and Christmas bucket list in one! It challenges you to do a different fun holiday activity every day, like go sledding, host a gift wrapping party, and make paper snowflakes. Then, you'll take a photo of each activity and display the pictures around your home.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

It's basically a fact: Everyone loves to cozy up with a mug of hot cocoa during the holidays. Now, you can do that each day of the month. This advent calendar tree is made out of hot cocoa packets, so you'll have a cup for every day of your Christmas countdown!

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

Simple yet cheery is our recipe for the most merry Christmas—and this advent calendar embodies that using numbered muslin bags stuffed with sweet treats, small treasures, or heartfelt notes. Hang the bags from some greenery with baker's twine for an added festive touch.

Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.

SHOP MUSLIN BAGS

They say home is where the heart is and that's never truer than at Christmastime. It only makes sense that your décor reflects that. This printable calendar features a lovely home decked out for the holidays and with little doors and windows you can open.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

We get it, the holiday season can be busy! If you don't have time to craft this year, opt for this printable DIY advent calendar featuring a blank gingerbread village scene and coordinating stickers to add each day leading up to Christmas.

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

If your home is already decked out in a chic Christmas theme that's ready to shimmer and shine, just add an advent calendar to match. This silver advent calendar doubles as decor with its metallic fabric tree, pearlescent ornaments, and a fur trim around the borders. You can reuse it every year, too.

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

Your decorations can be just as merry and bright as the holiday itself when you copy this idea. The vibrant advent is made from muslin drawstring bags painted in all shades of the rainbow. Hang them on a board or a wall and let the countdown begin. Here's to a colorful Christmas!

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Charming as can be, a little Christmas advent village is sure to light up your holiday décor. There are plenty of ways to personalize the houses, too. You can dress them up with snowy glitter on the roofs, paint on fine details, or add twinkling fairy lights.

Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.

SHOP PAPER HOUSES

Lean into the reason for the season with a Nativity-inspired advent calendar. This one tells the beautiful story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. A free printable pattern makes it so straightforward to make yourself.

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

To easily create this adorable calendar, wrap some matchboxes in vintage-inspired Christmas paper and attach them to a cookie sheet. A patterned ribbon on top gives it that finishing touch! It's simple yet still perfectly festive.

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

How tea-riffic is this tiny DIY tea house?! The design is easy to print and fold, and you can see your variety of teas through the little doors and windows. If you want to take this a step further, tape daily Christmas activity suggestions to each packet.

Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.

The more Christmas trees to decorate, the better! Your kids will love spending the days leading up to December 25 adding adorable ornaments to their own advent calendar tree. Watch it grow with decorative, festive cheer as you get closer to the big day!

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

Don't forget the kitchen! You can even bring some Christmas magic to your fridge with this fun magnetic calendar. Add this blogger's adorable printables to a set of magnetic spice containers, then arrange them in the shape of a Christmas tree or star.

Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.

SHOP MAGNETIC SPICE JARS

Fill these playful, pom pom-topped boxes with little treats and prizes for a daily surprise for your little ones. Place them on cake stands or a buffet table for a colorful display.

Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.

We love a pastel color scheme for Christmas! Hand paint house-shaped boxes and add a sprinkle of fake snow on top to create your own little holiday village.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.

Whip up all of your favorite Christmas cocktails with a little help from this beverage-filled calendar. Stock it with 24 tiny bottles of your favorite spirits, or even mini wine bottles!

Get the tutorial at Feast + West.

This colorful garland doubles as a festive holiday decoration for your living room or entryway. And filling these whimsical Christmas lights with little surprises is such a bright idea, too!

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Bring a splash of color to your Christmas décor with this vibrant nativity calendar. It looks even more whimsical when paired with coordinating bottle brush trees.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

SHOP FELT