Ditch the boring chocolate advent calendars and take a look at our 20 DIY advent calendar ideas to help you count down the days until Christmas.
20 DIY Advent Calendar Ideas
If you're bored of buying the same standard advent calendar with a small disappointing piece of chocolate behind a door, then get creative and consider making your own. Here's 20 DIY advent calendar ideas you can take inspiration from.
1. Paper Bag Advent Calendar
Have bigger pockets for your treats by making your calendar out of paper bags.
Find out how: norskeinteriorblogger
2. Paper City Advent Calendar
Make match-box size houses using a free printable from mrpintables, to create an entire paper city.
Find out how: mrprintables
3. Trinkets Advent Calendar
If you have an old key cabinet, you can hang numbered gift tags with cute trinkets attached to them to countdown each day.
Find out how: countryliving
4. Magnetic Tin Advent Calendar
Turn metal tins into small storage spaces for candy or toys, and apply magnetic strips to them so they stick to the fridge. You can arrange them in any order and can even make designs such as a Christmas tree.
Find out how: twigandthistle
6. Mini Bucket Advent Calendar
Store treats such as candy, toys or cute little notes in these tiny buckets which you can buy in bulk online.
Find out how: designdininganddiapers
7. Envelope Advent Calendar
Count down the days to Christmas with small paper envelopes filled with nice notes and other surprises.
Find out how: bespokebride
8. Bunting Advent Calendar
Decorate your home with an advent calendar made out of bunting. You can choose the same fabric for all of the bunting, or try to coordinate with different types. You could even try and match it to your home decor.
Find out how: snugonline
9. Stacked Can Advent Calendar
Recycle tins for your advent calendar by spray painting them and numbering the tins one to 25. Place a treat inside each tin before stacking them on top of each other.
Find out how: housetohome
10. Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar
Save up your toilet rolls to create this fun advent calendar that is shaped like a house.
Find out how: morningcreativity
11. Chalkboard Advent Calendar
This chalkboard calendar looks impressive, but it only takes an hour to make. Fill each box with a small toy or treat and tie them up with ribbon so no-one can peak.
Find out how: ohhappyday
12. Pegboard Advent Calendar
Make an advent calendar in minutes using a pegboard. All you need are small bags to put your treats in, and then just hang them up with pegs.
Find out how: youaremyfave
13. Shoe Organizer Advent Calendar
Pick up a regular shoe organizer with 24 pockets, and transform it into a 24 day countdown calendar.
Find out how: eighteen25
14. Boxes Advent Calendar
Transform a collection of boxes into a fun advent calendar. You can use a variety of different sized boxes so you can fit all sorts of treats in them.
Find out how: modpodgerocks
15. Clothes Hanger Advent Calendar
Create this shabby chic clothes hanger calendar which will look lovely in any room of your home.
Find out how: sillyoldsuitcase
16. Paper Cup Reindeer Advent Calendar
Your children will love this adorable reindeer advent calendar which is made out of paper cups. Hang it up in your home and place a candy of your choice in each cup.
Find out how: balancinghome
17. Stocking Advent Calendar
You don't have to settle for just one stocking, why not have one for each day in the lead up to Christmas? This stocking christmas calendar will take some time to make but the result is worth it.
Find out how: madetosew
18. Kraft Bags Advent Calendar
If you don't have much time, but want to create your own advent calendar, use kraft bags to store your treats and stick them on the wall with fabric tape.
Find out how: julieblanner
19. Pocket Advent Calendar
Turn card stock, paper and fabric into this pretty pocket calendar which can hold treats and festive notes.
Find out how: kimberlypetersen
20. Advent Calendar Jar
If you're short on space but want to have a homemade advent calendar then why not try an advent calendar in a jar. Place messages and treats into a jar, and take one out each day in December as you count down to Christmas.
Find out how: poppytalk
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