One of the most requested holiday items I get each year is advent calendars! I’ve shared several ideas over the years, including Arlo’s officially advent calendar (below!) and thought I’d round them all up, along with some other faves across the internet for those of you looking to buy or make one this year. Some are complete DIYs from scratch, some involve a little crafting on a pre-made item and some are just ready to buy + go!!
Take a look below and see if one sparks an idea for your family!
DIY Felt Truck Advent Calendar
This is Arlo’s heirloom advent calendar, it doesn’t involve any treats or (actual) presents, just picking a felt present out of each felt pocket to place in the truck every day! I’m so proud of this DIY.
DIY Flair Advent Calendar
Great for a teen, make this flair advent calendar with keychains, hair clips, pins or patches hidden underneath each number! If you need some affordable flair, we have a ton in our shop right now on sale for as low as $1!
Sticker Advent Calendar
I love this simple, and budget friendly advent option for kiddos! Each day on the calendar has a slot for a festive sticker. You could even take a cue from each sticker to do a coordinating activity that day (like making hot cocoa, wrapping presents or hanging up your stockings!).
Heirloom Stocking Advent Calendar
I would plaster stockings all over my house if I could so I absolutely love this stocking inspired advent calendar!! You could have so much fun with the color palette and patterns, too!
Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar
I love this Christmas countdown that totally works as an advent calendar too. You can add a sticker each day to transform the building into a holiday magic land!!!!
Christmas Village Advent Calendar
I love that Chelsea turned our Christmas village idea into an advent calendar!! SO fun.
Tassel Advent Calendar Wall Hanging
This tassel advent calendar is a great, simple, ready-to-buy option!! The pockets are just big enough to fit a little candy or sticker!
Fabric Scrap Advent Calendar
This one doesn’t have a tutorial and it was a one of a kind, but I thought I’d share it for some inspiration if you have fabric scraps lying around. How GORGEOUS is it!?
Printable Scratch-Off Advent Calendar
We created this printable advent calendar a few years back and with the addition of scratch-off stickers, behind each one you’ll find a holiday activity to check off your list!
Advent Present Wall Hanging
This already made advent wall hanging has little strings to tie on tiny treats and presents!! Isn’t that such a cute idea?
Book Advent Calendar
Perhaps my favorite of the bunch! Wrap up all of your Christmas books that you collect and let your kiddos open one each night to read!!
Wall Hook Christmas Village Advent Calendar
This wall hook project would be a GREAT advent calendar. Just give the village a holiday spin, and then hang all different little bags or items from the hooks for each day!!!
DIY Take Out Box Advent Calendar
This is one from way back in the archives! Use take out boxes, or other boxes and bags you collect over time to upcycle and fill with treats!
Striped Houses Advent Calendar
I LOVE the stripes on Ashley’s advent calendar idea here! If you have bookshelves like these (or like our rainbow ones!) it would be a perfect spot to display this!
DIY Number Pillow Countdown
Turn the DIY number pillows I made for Arlo’s baby photos into an advent calendar, all you need is an additional “2”!
Leather Advent Calendar
This leather advent calendar is perfect if you want something you can use over and over again, and can fill with all sorts of fun goodies! It comes in a large and small size, and a few colors.
Printable Christmas House Advent Calendar
Apparently house-themed advent calendar’s are my jam. This one is a super affordable printable, but honestly I just want to live in that house IRL!!
DIY Cloud Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for an advent calendar that doesn’t SCREAM Christmas, this cloud idea is perfect!
Woodland House Advent Calendar
How sweet is this little calendar!? Each little woodland house is a pocket to hide a holiday activity or small gift/treat in. Comes in sets of 12 or 24, too, in case you wanted to do a shorter countdown!
DIY Felt Tree Wall Hanging
I just made this an interactive felt tree for Arlo, but you could easily turn it into an advent calendar. Just buy or make 25 different ornaments and stick them on the sides. Each day you can move a new one onto the tree!
Which one is your favorite?? Or do you have another advent calendar you use in your home!? Would love to hear it!!
at home with Ashley says
Ok the take out box one made me laugh. That’s such a fun idea and could be really inexpensive to make. I also love the fabric house one. There are so many options out there that you can really adapt it to your style.
Cari says
I love advent calendars! My grandma’s is my favourite, where it’s a little bear that goes all over his house looking for Christmas, and moves to a different spot each day. It’s very cute!
Lily says
Oh my goodness, I absolutely love the book idea! So easy and what a fun tradition. But the colorful wooden house is pretty stinking cute as well.