This crafts walkthrough stays in the order the work happens.
Adding an advent calendar to your holiday traditions is a fun and festive way to build excitement and enjoy the season with your family. But advent calendars can become quite the production – from getting all the materials, to putting it all together, to actually sticking to the countdown during an already hectic time. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Want to Handmade your own advent calendar, with no fuss or muss and without breaking the bank? Here are 80+ fabulous countdowns to Christmas – broken down into varying levels of Handmade-ability and ease of use. Find inspiration for your next Handmade Christmas advent calendar and get ready for the Christmas season now!
80+ Fun, Fast and Frugal Christmas Advent Calendars
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
NO EFFORT
Ok, so no effort may be a bit of a misnomer, but these advents are so very LOW-effort, that it’s almost nonexistent. Many of them include printables which mean the work is nearly all done for you!
Advent Christmas Tree // Lil’ Luna
Probably the easiest way to incorporate your advent calendar is to just put it on the tree! You’re going to decorate your Christmas tree anyway, so use clothespins to attach tags with numbers on the front and activities on the back on some of the branches while you’re at it. Done!
Minimalist Printable Black and White Countdown // The Pretty Blog
This really is no effort whatsoever. Follow the link to print out the direct and classic calendar. Frame it and mark the days in dry erase marker. Now you have no excuse.
Cookie Tree Calendar // Life is a Party
Here’s a tree of a different sort, and it’s delicious! Grab some cookies from Ikea (they come with holes to use as ornaments!) Use icing to write the numbers and ribbon to hang from a tree or branch. Now just eat a cookie a day!
Sticky Note Advent Calendar // Apartment Therapy
Post-It’s make a great calendar, since each one is already a box. Just decorate one side and write an activity on the sticky side, then stick them to the wall in a grid shape. You could even skip the activity part if you want to make it even easier and just pull one down each day.
Paper Chain Scripture Advent // Activities for Kids
This printable chain couldn’t be more direct. Just print, and loop together. Each day, take one down and read the scripture on it.
Folk-Inspired Advent Calendar// The Pretty Blog
Your advent calendar can double as striking Christmas decor! This free printable includes circles for each day – with the look of hand-brushed writing and botanicals and a lovely color pallet, it’s a clearly pretty way to countdown the days. Just print, cut and attach to string. It’s that straightforward.
Upcycled Shoe Organizer Advent // Laughing Abi
Seems like just about everyone has a shoe organizer laying around. You can get fancy and decorate it or just shove some little gifts in tissue paper in each pocket, then number them. Either way is pretty direct!
Gum Advent Countdown // Delia Creates
This clever option is well fitted for kids. Take two packs of gum in the slip out envelope packs (like Eclipse), decorate the outside or not, and number the foil side of each individual gum window. Each day, the kids can pop out a piece of gum while keeping track of how many days until Christmas!
Pillbox Countdown // Handmade Candy
Such a cute option for the week leading up to Christmas – this version was created for a back to school countdown, but it easily translates to any holiday. There are 7 boxes with flip lids, so you countdown each day for a week. This shortened version of the advent may be more appealing to you, or you could use it in conjunction with the normal calendar you do!
Lego Duplo Advent Calendar // Jacks and Kate
This is the easiest, most kid-friendly option I’ve seen! If your family has a collection of Duplos, you can use the mini people to create this fun advent with the free printable and straws! So quick and doable!
Matchbox Advent Jar // Just a Girl
Again, all you have to do for this one is decorate the boxes or not, then slip a little something inside (maybe a piece of paper with an activity?), number them and toss them in a pretty jar.
Neutral and Natural Advent Pouches // Mom in Music City
This is a great option, because it uses scraps of fabric – any kind at all – which you likely already have on-hand. Just cut them into circles, put the treat in the middle, gather it up and tie with twine. Hang from a branch with ornament hooks!
Craft Stick Activity Jar Advent // Mess for Less
OR, just write the activities right on some craft sticks. You don’t even have to number them, just have the kids pull one out each day until Christmas!
Mason Jar Advent // The Country Chic Cottage
And if you’ve got extra mason jars around, you can just put some little presents inside, then screw the lids on and number them. Keep them in the case they came in so you can’t see into them.
Colorful Advent Calendar Wall-Hanging // A Subtle Revelry
This whimsical advent is made using the free printable templates provided – just print out the colorful envelopes and put them together, fill with goodies, then hang on string from a dowel or branch and you’ve got a well fitted, colorful, fun and cheerful advent!
Take-Out Container Advent // Just a Girl
Take out boxes are a great option – they’re cute and little, you can decorate them or not and they’d still be adorable, and all you have to do is fold them shut – no tape or anything else necessary!
Magnetic Advent Calendar // Lemon Thistle
Pop some magnets on the back of small white boxes and, amazingly, you’ve got an advent calendar! Really, that’s all it takes. Put them on your fridge in a cute design and let your kids pick them off day by day. You could decorate them clearly cute, as on Lemon Thistle, but it’s not required.
“Sour Cream Container” Ornament Advent Calendar // 100 Things 2 Do
Those cute little sour cream containers you rip open to use? You can make them yourself! Better yet, all you need is wrapping paper and double sided tape! Hang them on the tree for ornaments, or string them along a garland. So cute and straightforward!
Hanging Mini Kraft Paper Envelope Advent // Inspired By This
If you can clip a mini envelope to a ribbon or twine, you can make this advent calendar! Decorate the envelopes to your taste (or don’t, they’re already cute) then hang ribbon vertically on the wall. Clip and enjoy!
12 Days of Christmas Stocking Countdown // Bower Power
Instead of an advent beginning on December 1st, cut yourself a little slack and start just 12 days before Christmas. Include goodies and and activity in each stocking for double the fun. If you’re often overwhelmed with 25 full days of advent calendar countdown, this is the well fitted solution. (Use store-bought stockings to make this Handmade even more doable.)
Candle Advent Calendar // Sugar Bee Crafts
To make a candle advent calendar, you just measure every inch or so on a long taper, then use a paint pen to make marks and numbers. Each day, light the candle down to the current number then blow out. straightforward and low-cost to make!
Candle Countdown // The Merrythought
If you like the candle option, and want to go even easier, get one in a jar and use this countdown printable.
Chalkboard Countdown // The Lily Pad Cottage
If you’ve got a framed chalkboard at your house, you’ve got a countdown all ready to go. Just make a grid and write the numbers! You can make it fancy too, just look at these tips for great chalk art!
Reverse Advent // Mum In the Madhouse
Here’s an option that take literally no effort, but makes a huge impact. Every day add an item to a basket – non-perishable food, toiletries, etc. – and then donate it to a shelter, food bank or family in need.
Next up, MORE Handmade Advent Calendars –>
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
More great Christmas options:
Adding an advent calendar to your holiday traditions is a fun and festive way to build excitement and enjoy the season with your family. But advent calendars can become quite the production – from getting all the materials, to putting it all together, to actually sticking to the countdown during an already hectic time. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Want to Handmade your own advent calendar, with no fuss or muss and without breaking the bank? Here are 80+ fabulous countdowns to Christmas – broken down into varying levels of Handmade-ability and ease of use. Find inspiration for your next Handmade Christmas advent calendar and get ready for the Christmas season now!
80+ Fun, Fast and Frugal Christmas Advent Calendars
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
straightforward
If you can make it in an hour or less, it’s considered straightforward. I lot of these advents use materials you can probably find around your house, so they’re nice and frugal too!
Christmas Book Countdown // Positively Splendid
If you’ve got some beloved Christmas books, you’ve got the makings for a great advent countdown. Wrap them up and let your kids find the number that corresponds to the day, then spend time reading them together!
Ribbon Roll Advent Countdown // Homework
Simply add numbers every few inches to a long piece of ribbon, roll it up and hang it from a dowel or (in this case) a small hanger. Every day, unroll to reveal the current date. It’s a fast, straightforward way to build anticipation for the holidays.
Dino-Advent // Boxy Colonial
This dinosaur advent it adorable and straightforward – all you need is spray paint! It’s an unexpected theme for Christmas, but one that kids will get a huge kick out of.
Christmas Carol Advent // A Girl and a Glue Gun
If you’ve got a vinyl cutting machine, you can make these Christmas carol ornaments. Then put them in a basket or jar, and pick one each day. Sing the song together and hang the ornament on the tree! Fun, fast and straightforward.
Magnetic Countdown // Sugar Bee Crafts
Here’s another option for your vinyl cutter. Cut out the phrase and numbers, then place them on a pizza sheet. Glue a magnet to a jingle bell and move it around the sheet by placing it on the correct number each day.
Rainbow Scripture Advent // Pars Caeli
All you need is paper in a rainbow of colors and tape to create the colorful and fun advent! If you get precut squares of paper, it’s even easier to create! Inside the folded, pop-up squares are scriptures to read each day leading to Christmas.
Stamped Mini Envelopes in a Tray // Simply Stamped
These cute mini envelopes were stamped and embellished in a direct, classic style – but you could easily recreate this project with printed labels or cards if you don’t own stamps. Just fill the envelopes with treats and line them up in a handmade tray for a direct but pretty display.
Printable Lift-the-Flap Advent // Delia Creates
This printable lift-a-flap advent has a fun, modern look and you can customize it to meet your needs! Under each flap you write an activity to do that day – but you could also write a scripture to read together, a song to sing or Christmas themed jokes!
Embroidery Hoop Wreath Advent Calendar // Lapinblu
Wire some greenery to the hoop and tie packages at different levels. That’s literally all it takes to make this pretty, direct advent.
Clothespin Advent Calendar // Bless’er House
Make this clothespin advent with things you’ve got at home. Use scrap wood, glue, clothespins and maybe a little paint, then pin up goodie-filled paper bags and numbers.
PVC Pipe Tree Advent // Dukes and Duchesses
It’s hard to believe this cute tree is made out of PVC pipe! Using only hot glue, it’s an straightforward build. The best part is that it’s sturdy, so will last for many years of month-long advent use!
12 Days of Christmas Muffin Tin Countdown // Domestic Imperfection
If 12 days of advent calendar activities and goodies seems more doable than 25, use a muffin tin for your countdown! This one uses scraps of paper and magnets to hold treats in the muffin holes.
Velcro Advent Wall Tree // Brit + Co
Velcro strips attach small boxes right to the wall. The velcro is remove-able for after the holidays, and you can decorate them or not, depending on your taste.
Stick-Up, Scratch Off Advent Calendar // Rae Ann Kelly
You can make your own scratch off cards! Write a fun activity underneath the Handmade gold scratch off paint. Then just tape these guys up where you’ve got space.
Mod Ribbon and Envelope Frame Advent // Yellow Bliss Road
With an old frame, some ribbon and the printable set found here, you’ve got a cute advent all ready to go! Print and assemble the envelopes, then stuff them with the printable activity and scripture cards.
Ribbons and Tags Calendar // Little Glass Jar
Again, make use of what you already have! If you’ve got chalkboards, neutral canvases, plank wood background or blank frames, just string them with wide ribbon. In this version, use mini clothespins, and ready-made envelopes and gift tags stamped with numbers.
Burlap Pocket Advent Calendar // On Sutton Place
With just a few quick stitches, you can sew up this pocket calendar that fits small treats or pieces of paper. Hang festive tags from each pocket to keep track of the date.
Burlap Bag and Ladder Advent // Twelve on Main
Making mini burlap bags is a cinch, and then all you have to do it stuff them with prizes and tie them on something! Here, they used an old, rustic ladder (which you can normally find at antique stores or sometimes thrift stores). But you could also hang them on a ribbon, or piece of twine to make a garland.
Muslin Advent Bags // More Like Home
Or make your bags out of muslin fabric and hang them along a branch! Cute and straightforward. look at how she filled the bags, too – Christmas themed felt ornaments you can use year after year!
Felt Stocking Advent // Kristi Murphy
These cute stockings are made out of felt! If you’ve got a Cricut machine, the work’s already done for you here, but these would be straightforward to cut out and hot glue all by hand.
Pill-bottle Advent Garland // Crafts Unleashed
The hardest part about this Handmade is finding the well fitted paper mache boxes to fit the bill. These cute tubes are about the size of a pill bottle, and well fitted for small candy or rolled up paper. Paint them to customize, then string them up and you’re all set!
Paper Tree Advent // Willowday
All you need to do is print out the template, cut and glue to create these direct trees. You can customize the color scheme for any decor and they double as decorations!
Toilet Paper Tube Advent // The Country Chic Cottage
Decorate TP tubes individually, put some candy inside, and fold down the ends. Number them and put them in a bucket. Voila! FREE!
Hanging TP Tube Advent Calendar // OHOH Blog
OR, cut your TP tubes to different heights, glue them in a grid, put candy inside and glue tissue paper on the ends. String them up with ribbon. straightforward and inexpensive.
TP Tube Tree // Nearly Crafty
OR, stick your TP tubes on the back of cardboard cut in the shape of a tree! Cut out some circles first, and cover the tubes with tissue paper. TP Tubes are free, and so versatile!
TP Tubes and Trees Advent // Morning Creativity
Here’s one more option for toilet paper tubes! (they’re just so straightforward to come by!) We love the simplicity of this advent, both in look and Handmade-ability.
Christmas Gift Advent Calendar Garland // Craft Thyme
Use brown boxes and decorate however you like. Then wrap them with twine to look like mini Christmas gifts and string them in a funky grouping along a garland. The final look is really fun.
Paper Cup Advent // Crafterberry Bush
Paper cups make a cute calendar too! With a little wire or string, you can hang them from ribbon with clothespins. Then just add some treats.
Egg Carton Advent // OHOH Blog
Believe it or not, an egg carton makes a great advent! Use the bottom of two cartons and glue them together to create 24 tiny pocket for treats. Then wrap it all in tissue paper! Frugal and fun!
Paper Bags and Branch Advent // Third Floor Design Studio
Brown paper bags can be a direct, modern advent with the aid of a festive branch, some twine and paperclips.
Floating Pod Advent Calendar // Fall for Handmade
Find inspiration from nature for your advent calendar! This version uses pods that are large enough for one small treat or a piece of paper slipped into the back opening. Utilizing number stickers makes this Handmade even easier – just string them up, fill them up and you’re good! It’s largely free, cute and all natural!
Next up, MORE Handmade Advent Calendars –>
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
More great Christmas options:
Adding an advent calendar to your holiday traditions is a fun and festive way to build excitement and enjoy the season with your family. But advent calendars can become quite the production – from getting all the materials, to putting it all together, to actually sticking to the countdown during an already hectic time. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Want to Handmade your own advent calendar, with no fuss or muss and without breaking the bank? Here are 80+ fabulous countdowns to Christmas – broken down into varying levels of Handmade-ability and ease of use. Find inspiration for your next Handmade Christmas advent calendar and get ready for the Christmas season now!
80+ Fun, Fast and Frugal Christmas Advent Calendars
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
MEDIUM
You may have to break out one or two tools to complete these, but even with the “build” aspect, these should only take a few hours to make.
Tissue Punch Advent // Gluesticks
A punch themed advent is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Kids will love poking through the paper to the treat inside the cups!
Felt Nativity Advent // The Thrifty Couple
This felt advent takes more effort, but it’s cute and meaningful – the numbered pockets hold the different nativity pieces. Just pull them out and create the whole nativity scene as the month goes on.
Felt Santa With Pockets Advent // 3 Little Greenwoods
Create a cute Santa out of felt. Embellish his beard with decorated felt pockets. Now you’ve got a cute Christmas decoration! Stick in some cards with activities or scriptures on them. and number them. And NOW you have a cute countdown!
Stacked Can Advent // Ideal Home
Paint, tissue paper and ribbon (or tape or rubber bands), is all you’ll need for this fun stackable advent. It has a carnival feel that’s unique and festive.
Advent Calendar Wreath // Crafts Unleashed
With some wire cardholders you can make an adorable advent calendar wreath in no time!
Chalkboard Advent Ornament Calendar // Sincerely, Sarah D.
You can paint a canvas with chalkboard paint and hang small ornaments on twine for this advent – or use an existing chalkboard for an even easier Handmade.
Chalkboard Activity Calendar // The Merrythought
Scrap wood and paint are the main ingredients for this calendar, but the Christmas foliage makes it pop.
Modern Wood Tree Advent Ornament Calendar // A Kailo Chic Life
This colorful wood tree is so joyful and fun to look at, and the kids will love hanging an ornament on the tree each day.
Deer Mount Advent Display // Cassie Bustamante
This truly unique calendar makes use of thrifted finds. If you’ve got a deer head, you can use some plywood or MDF to make the mount. Then simply paint, add hooks and tags. Cute and on trend.
Painted Sled Countdown // Jaime Costiglio
With a store-bought mini wood sled, paint, hooks and balsa wood, you can make an adorable countdown to use year after year! All you do is switch the numbers every day, so it’s straightforward to keep up with too.
Upcycled Shutter Door Advent // Lilacs and Longhorns
Use an old shutter door and some paint as a backdrop for mini-sized burlap pockets. Just attach them to the slats with clothespins! If you don’t have a shutter handy, pick one up at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or another thrift shop.
Envelope Advent // One Good Thing
You just need cards, envelopes, clips, wire (or ribbon) and a frame to make this happen. Decorating optional.
Clip-able Photo Cards Tree Calendar // Sarah Hearts
Make a Christmas tree display board with a wood plaque (or piece of plywood), paint, glue and some metal clips. Then, all you have to do is use the template provided for the photo cards and print them out! Adorable and colorful.
Origami Box Advent // Gathering Beauty
Origami boxes are quite straightforward to create, and it won’t take long to make 24. Use Christmas wrapping paper and you won’t have to decorate them at all!
Gold Tissue House Advent // Fellow Fellow
Create boxes without lids from cardstock, then stuff them with treats and cover with gold tissue paper. Stack them as a house and tape into rows for stability! This stacked house takes a bit of time, but comes out clearly cute.
Little Village Advent Calendar // A Turtle’s Life For Me
This cute little village is created entirely from the recycling bin! Using paper and some creativity, you can cut boxes, cartons and containers to the right shapes and cover them to make them match. Leave them hollow so you can set some candy and activity tags underneath them!
Christmas Bulb Advent Calendar // The House That Lars Built
These adorable Christmas bulbs are made from heavy paper or cardstock and open to reveal a surprise. They’re clearly festive and sure to be a hit with the kids!
Paper Ornament Garland Advent Calendar // Oh Happy Day
Paper ornament boxes hang from a garland for a colorful, happy advent variation. The pom poms put this one over the top!
P aint Dipped Advent Calendar Bottles // Fall For Handmade
Pretty little bottles with a paint dipped look serve as the starting point for this advent. You can string them up or set them out. They’re very tiny, just the right size for small treats, papers with activities or to use as memory jars as in the walkthrough.
Next up, MORE Handmade Advent Calendars –>
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
More great Christmas options:
Adding an advent calendar to your holiday traditions is a fun and festive way to build excitement and enjoy the season with your family. But advent calendars can become quite the production – from getting all the materials, to putting it all together, to actually sticking to the countdown during an already hectic time. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Want to Handmade your own advent calendar, with no fuss or muss and without breaking the bank? Here are 80+ fabulous countdowns to Christmas – broken down into varying levels of Handmade-ability and ease of use. Find inspiration for your next Handmade Christmas advent calendar and get ready for the Christmas season now!
80+ Fun, Fast and Frugal Christmas Advent Calendars
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
EXPERT
Anything that took multiple tools or techniques, building an entire background, or a whole afternoon (in most cases, maybe a weekend in others) is included here.
Snowman Clock Countdown // Mod Podge Rocks
This snowman acts like a clock, as you use his nose to count down the days to Christmas!
Paper House Advent // Delia Creates
Use the free cut file and walkthrough to make paper houses that illuminate with faux tea lights. Aside from being a countdown, it’s just plain adorable holiday decor!
Canvas and Shipping Tag Ornament Countdown // Bower Power
Here’s a cute Pottery Barn knockoff you can do in almost no time. It takes some effort (whip out those power tools!) but in the end, the advent is charming, fun and adds to your overall decor.
Christ-Centered Advent Calendar // Kemley Design
It take a bit to make this, but centering your holiday on Christ is worth the effort! The use is very direct – just turn a number over to reveal a photo of Christ along with a scripture references to look up and read together.
Chalkboard Ornament Advent // Love Create Celebrate
These chalkboard ornaments are adorable and if you’ve got a blank canvas or wood background already, all you’d have to make are the ornaments themselves! This walkthrough teaches you how to make the rustic plank wood background as well.
Wooden Tree Advent // The Merrythought
Cute, mini wooden Christmas trees come together pretty easily with a bit of cutting and sanding. The chalkboard paint allows you to write your advent activities on the backside.
Ladder Advent // Her Tool Belt
These whimsical little hand-painted canvas bags are too cute! Hang them from mini hooks on your newly created small wood ladder – the walkthrough is straightforward to follow but takes a bit of time. It makes an adorable little corner of Christmas decor when finished.
Wood Tree Countdown Calendar // Jaime Costiglio
Make a Pottery Barn Knockoff with plywood and thin wood bins from the craft store. These treat boxes can hold little gifts for the whole family!
Pallet Wood Christmas Tree Advent // Bekob
With pallet wood, cards and ornaments, you’ve got the makings of an adorable farmhouse style advent. You could also use the clips to attach small treat bags, garlands, envelopes, paper bags and more!
What’s your go-to way to create an advent calendar?
In this post:
Page 1: No Effort Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 2: straightforward Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 3: Medium Handmade Advent Calendars
Page 4: Expert Handmade Advent Calendars
More great Christmas options:
