December is just a few days away, which means the countdown for Christmas has begun. Christmas is by far our most favorite time of the year but the real magic is in the anticipation. Baking cookies, drinking mulled wine, or listening to Christmas carols are definitely fuelling the festive excitement. And what better way to count down to Christmas than using an advent calendar? If you’re a DIY aficionado, we have the countdown to 25 December covered. Check out these creative advent calendar ideas and pick your favorite one to countdown to Christmas with your family.

Easy DIY advent calendar ideas for kids

Advent calendars are a fun way to get in the spirit of the holidays, especially if there are young children in the family. Beginning on December 1st, kids open one box or door on their calendar, every day, for 24 days. With the help of an advent calendar, every day leading up to Christmas is like a little mini Christmas. We did a quick search to draw up some inspiration and we’ve found DIY advent calendars from various blogs that are worth checking out this year. Sometimes simple ideas are the best!

Mix’n’match boxes advent calendar

A beautiful and simple idea for an easy DIY advent calendar is to use boxes wrapped with pretty paper, numbered with the individual days, and pinned to a board. You can use any type of boxes for this project – fill them with little presents like kinder eggs, hand written messages , Lego mini men, chocolate coins or even lottery tickets.

Christmas Countdown Calendar
Mix’n’match DIY advent calendar – this calendar is made of a random collection of matchboxes, raisin packets (both full and empty), old jewellery boxes and others.
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Christmas Countdown Calendar
Match Box Advent Calendar – you can use matchboxes with miniature gifts. To display the match boxes, you can mix them around the dates.
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Christmas Countdown Calendar
Gift Box Advent Calendar Tree – for this one, the boxes were creatively displayed to form the shape of a Christmas tree!
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Advent calendar in a jar

With just a few supplies, this standard kitchen item is easily transformed into a beautiful advent calendar. It is so easy – you’ll put it together in just minutes – and so rewarding to do with your family. Chocolate has long been recognized as the calendar filling of choice, but the only limit of your creativity is the size of the jars.

Christmas Countdown Jar
…what’s inside these Christmas countdown jars is up to you. This one is filled with chocolate treats!
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Christmas Countdown Jar
If you want an easy, last minute and home-made advent calendar, this Christmas countdown jar is perfect for you.
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DIY advent calendars
the Advent Jar is a super easy and creative alternative to the traditional advent calendar.
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Creative DIY advent calendar ideas

For us, DIY projects feel better than store bought-ones. Building something with your hands is always a satisfying feeling.  So, if you want to make the run-up to Christmas extra special, what better way to do it than using a DIY advent calendar? Some of them are easy, some of them require a little more effort, but all of them are beautiful. Pick your favorite one and get the magic started!

DIY magnetic advent calendars

You can create an advent calendar with some simple everyday items and choose the presents to use inside.  With a few supplies like magnet strips,  favor boxes and decorations – bells, kraft paper, plaid fabric, etc, you can make some amazing DIY magnetic advent calendars.

DIY magnetic advent calendars
There’s no better evidence of beauty in simplicity than this creative magnetic advent calendar!
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DIY magnetic advent calendars
These awesome hand-made advent calendar ideas make the holiday season even more merry.
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Christmas Countdown Calendars
this DIY magnetic advent calendar is made of favor boxes arranged in the shape of a tree and displayed on a fridge!
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Paper packages advent calendars ideas

If you’re looking for something different from the standard supermarket version, another super easy and last minute advent calendar idea is to use paper packages. The perfect start to a homemade Christmas.

DIY advent calendars
A great advent calendar doesn’t have to be hard. For this one you’ll need just some small paper bags, paper clips, tiny clothespins, some twine and tape. This easy-to-do advent calendar can be placed just about anywhere you need a little Christmas magic.
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handmade Christmas Countdown calendar
Some Christmas countdown calendars can even be made from recycled everyday items! This one is made from toilet paper rolls. With a few decorative items and some crafty folding, you’ll have an unique and easy DIY advent calendar!
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paper bags advent calendars
If you’re the crafty type, you’ll love these creative and inspiring alternatives for the Christmas countdown calendars. This could be the world’s simplest, quickest DIY advent calendar. But at the same time, one of the most beautiful!
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Tin can advent calendar ideas

Use recycled cans to create a one-of-a-kind advent Calendar with plenty of room to fit sweets and treats. Fill each date with a toy, candy, or an idea for family fun. If you’re looking for some creative DIY ideas to countdown the Christmas season, you’ll love these!

tin can advent calendars
Some recycled tin cans, white gift wrap paper and red rubber band and you’ve got a super cute way to count down to Christmas.
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Christmas countdown calendar
To make this unusual advent calendar you need old tin cans, newspaper sheets , spray paint and tissue paper and ribbon to decorate. And, of course, sweets and treats to fill the cans !
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DIY advent calendars
As an alternative to tin can advent calendars you can use galvanized buckets. To make your own, you’ll need a frame, mini galvanized buckets, some adhesive and numbered labels.
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