Our DIY Advent Calendars Over the Years
How We Started a Simple Family Tradition & how it’s evolved over time
When we moved to Austin, I wanted to start adding small traditions into our holidays especially being so far from our family. The holidays can be hard when you feel somewhat isolated from friends and family and are living in a new big city. I really wanted to focus on something that made the month feel a little more intentional. That’s when we made our first Advent calendar. It’s changed a lot since then, but each version has had its own charm (and let’s be honest, its own level of effort).
The First diy advent: Kraft Boxes and Tiny Surprises
We made our first advent calendar out of small gift boxes (I bought them on Amazon) arranged on the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree. We decorated each box lid and hung them on the wall with command strips. Dexi really enjoyed helping decorate the boxes and we had a lot of fun coming up with the designs. We just used the craft materials we already had for this.That year I bought a set of holiday themed earrings to fill a few boxes and the rest were all activities. Here’s a link to the earrings on Amazon. (I’m not getting paid for any of this, just sharing!)
The second diy advent: A Simple Craft Turned Décor
The next year, some of the boxes didn’t make it to the next Christmas because the command strips kind of messed them up, so we got one of the carboard advent calendar boxes from Hobby Lobby and I decorated it simply with mod podge and cardstock. I wouldn’t recommend unless you have a lot of free time because it was actually kind of annoying and didn’t turn out like I had hoped hence the reason there’s a third advent calendar below! lol
The third diy advent:
The Drawer Calendar
The other one served us fine, but it was rather flimsy and wasn’t made for long term. Not to mention I just didn’t like how it had turned out. So that led us to this one that I bought on Amazon. The boxes are rather small, but it worked for the Printable Advent Calendar Cards I make and a couple of small pieces of candy or other small trinkets. What really sold me was that the top could be changed out and it lit up which is always a fun addition during the holidays, because who doesn’t want more lights? Not this girl! Bring on all the fun lights and holiday decor!
Other Ideas for Crafting Your Own Advent Calendar
While I’m perfectly fine with our advent calendar now and will probably keep it for the ongoing future, I have more ideas that I wanted to share to really get the brain firing for you:
- A fabric hanging advent calendar with little sewn pockets. (could be made or bought)
- Cardboard Tube Punch Advent Calendar
- A simple set of cards with envelopes displayed on the wall as a tree.
- Hand sewn little cinch numbered fabric bags in a basket.
- You could have a little ornament that gets refilled on your Christmas tree.
- Make a small scavenger hunt that your kids can find every day with a candy surprise.
Literally… let your imagination guide you! The sky is the limit! Don’t overthink this, just do what is easiest and works best for you and your family dynamics.
Traditions don’t have to be big to matter
Sometimes it’s the little things… a few boxes on the wall, a handwritten note, or a moment of surprise that make the season feel like something to look forward to. For me and my family it’s the quality time we spend together.
