It’s the Christmas Countdown! 30+ Charming Advent Calendars to Make or Buy
As Christmas approaches, it’s time to consider family traditions. One of the most loved among many cultures is the advent calendar. There are many different variations on the advent calendar, from minimalist countdowns to extravagant daily presents and everything in-between. Some use candy, some small gifts and others incorporate family activities to get you in the mood for Christmas. If you haven’t planned out your advent calendar for 2017, now is the time! These 30+ charming advent calendars and Christmas countdowns are sure to inspire you!
25+ Christmas Countdowns and Advent Calendars
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Easy Christmas Countdown Calendars
The holiday season is so busy, sometimes an activity or gift to open can make the season feel overwhelming instead of anticipatory. If that’s your style, these easy countdown boards help you and your family get excited for the season while keeping it simple.
Printable Christmas Countdown Board // Remodelaholic
We shared this holiday countdown board earlier and we just love it so much! Count down to Christmas and all the other major holidays, plus fill in the cards for your own personal holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries.
Faux Chalkboard Christmas Countdown // Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body
Tasha shared here on Remodelaholic how to easily make these reusable faux chalkboard holiday signs, and this Christmas countdown is so easy and so cute! We also found a similar version here for purchase.
Chalkboard Christmas Countdown // Amazon
This chalkboard countdown board is so cute, and the number-change dial reminds me of the daily calendar my grandma had when I was growing up!
Christ-centered Christmas Countdown // Kemley Design
Keep the religious parts of Christmas present daily with this Christ-centered Christmas picture countdown board.
Christmas Paper Chain Countdown // The Crazy Craft Lady
It’s hard to get any easier than this printable paper chain, and kids will love that they can assemble and count down all by themselves.
Outdoor Christmas Countdown Marquee // The DIY Dreamer
Take the holiday anticipation outside with this jumbo outdoor countdown sign.
Snowman Countdown // Amazon
Just twist this little snowman’s nose a little each day and befor you know it… Merry Christmas!
Christmas Ornament Countdown // Remodelaholic
Build this ornament countdown tree following our tutorial, and then 25 ornaments later, it’s Christmas!
Envelope Advents
With snail mail on the decline, even for Christmas cards, these envelope advents can still give you the thrill of opening up a surprise!
25 Days of Giving Pocket Calendar // Unexpected Elegance
This version uses decorative treat bags in a variety of colors and patterns for the envelopes. Inside each is an act of service to complete for each day leading up to Christmas!
Plaid Advent // Houseful of Handmade
Use the template to make these cute bow envelopes that pop open. You can also make them magnetic and display them on a magnet board.
Christmas Tree Advent // Place of My Taste
Make a rustic Christmas tree frame with scrap wood. The envelopes are triangles of cardstock – which mimics the tree shape. Hang them with cute clothespins and you’re good to go!
Chalkboard Envelope Christmas Countdown Wall Chart // The Painted Hive
These are actually faux chalkboard envelopes – they are printed to look perfectly chalky! Use the free printable templates and vintage looking shipping labels to create this look.
Advent Calendar Wreath // Fleece Fun
All you need are small envelopes or cardstock to create them and ribbon to make an advent calendar wreath. Just hot glue the envelopes and tags to a pine wreath.
Galvanized Envelope Advent Calendar // Target
You can find this amazing Hearth & Home with Magnolia version of the advent calendar at Target. The envelopes are made from galvanized metal placed on a dark wood background, giving it a rustic feel.
Advent Boxes
Everyone loves opening up a boxed surprise at Christmas! These advent boxes are cute ways to have a little joy in every day.
Colorful Advent Calendar // Delineate Your Dwelling
This cute boxy calendar proves that Christmas can be more than just red, green and white!
Mini Tree Advent // Oh Happy Day
By attaching mini trees to the top of your simple boxes, and adding an extra touch or two (fun number flags, red car with tree, faux snow) you can turn your advent calendar into an adorable vignette.
12 Days of Christmas Advent // Three Little Monkeys Studio
These cute round gift boxes are dressed up with chalkboard tags, jingle bells and Christmas trees, making them part of the decor and not just a calendar. This version of the advent involves putting handmade ornaments and notes inside each box for someone else to open for the 12 days leading up to Christmas!
Wood House Calendar // World Market
This natural wood house frame has mini pull-out boxes to fill. Even better, it lights up!
White Wood Christmas Advent Drawers // Amazon
Another version of the advent drawers on Amazon, has a clean, classic look thanks to the simplicity of the monochromatic white.
Bags
Advent Calendar Hoop // My Fabuless Life
Use a giant quilting hoop to make this cute advent calendar. Just hang canvas bags with clothespins!
Tree Advent Calendar // Ana White
Modeled after a Pottery Barn advent calendar, this easy build is a great Christmas project. Create the simple, classic tree shape with pine boards, then staple on burlap bags stiffened with glue or mod podge to mimic the look of baskets. It’s rustic, but clean and minimalistic.
Stocking Ladder Advent // Brendid
Technically, these “bags” are really stockings. This is another Pottery Barn knock-off. Use a simple ladder you already have, or create a faux ladder that can be added to your daily decor when Christmas is over!
Fabric Tree Advent // Wayfair
This cute tree is made out of high quality felt. With brightly colored felt bags sewn directly to the tree, it’s sturdy and whimsical!
Just for the Kids (or Kids at Heart!)
Animal Advent // A Bubbly Life
The animals glued on these boxes create a playful, whimsical theme, while the white and brown paper color scheme create a crisp, clean look.
Magnetic Ornament Tree Advent // Wayfair
This wooden Christmas tree from Melissa and Doug is magnetic, so kids can pull out a new ornament magnet each day and hang it on their own! They’ll love rearranging their own tree, and the bright colors really pop.
Eric Carle Pop-Up Advent // Amazon
Eric Carle’s colorful and playful children’s books are wildly popular, and this cute pop-up advent will be too! Lift the flaps to reveal ornaments you can hang on the pop-up tree. Use it year after year.
Lego City Advent // Amazon
Lego Advent calendars are always a hit, and with the City advent you get to add some cute pieces to your Lego collection. There are skiers, a hot chocolate stand, a zamboni, and even Santa! The master builder in your family will love this one.
Unique Advent Ideas
Wood Clock Advent // Thrifty and Chic
Stylish, simple to use and very festive, this giant wall clock isn’t your ordinary timepiece. It counts down the days to Christmas starting on the first of December. But there’s a secret, too, because hidden on the back, behind each number is a felt pocket so you can slip in little pieces of paper with Christmas activities written on them.
Magnetic Advent Tins // Makoodle
Using magnetic favor tins and scrapbook paper, you can customize your calendar any way you want! The tins are perfect for hiding candy or small toys, and you can glue a piece of paper with an activity on it to the inside bottom.
Advent Calendar Ugly Sweater // Shrimp Salad Circus
You’re going to kill it at this year’s ugly sweater party! With a clever advent sweater that pulls double duty – counting down the days till Christmas AND looking horribly festive, you’ll win hands down.
Advent Calendar Door // The DIY Mommy
You may not have an old door laying around in your stash, but if you’ve got a thrift or repurposing store nearby you can probably find one for cheap. Then create this cute ornament advent with handmade ornaments and shipping tags!
Bonne Maman Advent Calendar // Amazon
This delicious advent gifts you with 24 tiny jars of preserves! It’s perfect for your sweet tooth when you’re looking for something a little different from the normal candy. Plus, they’d make a great Christmas breakfast addition!
What’s your favorite way to countdown to Christmas?
More advent calendar ideas:
Here’s a cute pallet wood tree advent calendar that’s easy to make.
Don’t miss this top ten advent calendars list!
And here are 25 MORE advent calendar ideas.
Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’ and Instagram.
