Posted by You know that feeling when December first rolls around and suddenly everyone is scrambling to find advent calendars? I found myself in that exact situation last year, standing in a stripped bare store aisle, looking at overpriced calendars filled with chocolate that honestly tastes like disappointment. That is when I decided to take matters into my own hands and create something that would make my kids actually excited to wake up each morning in December. Learn how to make personalized advent calendars with meaningful surprises.
The beauty of making your own Christmas countdown calendar is that you get to customize everything. I am talking about filling it with things your family actually enjoys, not just generic treats that sit around until someone finally throws them away in March. Plus, the process of creating these calendars together can become a cherished tradition in itself.
I started simple my first year. Twenty-four small paper bags lined up on a string across our fireplace mantle. Nothing fancy, but I decorated each one with stamps and stickers while watching holiday movies. Inside each bag, I tucked little notes with activities we could do together. Things like baking cookies, driving around to see Christmas lights, or having hot chocolate while reading a favorite story. The kids loved it so much more than any store-bought version we had tried before.
One of my favorite approaches involves using small boxes or envelopes arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree on the wall. You can find plain kraft boxes at most craft stores, and they are perfect for this project. I like to number them with a paint pen or attach little wooden number tags. The arrangement itself becomes part of your holiday decor, which means you are getting double duty from your effort. Have you ever noticed how the best decorations are the ones that serve multiple purposes?
For families who love a bit of whimsy, creating a countdown calendar with small stockings hanging from a ribbon is absolutely charming. I discovered vintage miniature stockings at a thrift store once, and they became the foundation for what is now our most beloved calendar. Each stocking gets filled with a small toy, a piece of quality chocolate, or an activity card. My daughter still talks about the year she found tiny figurines for her dollhouse tucked inside each one.
The fillable ornament approach works wonderfully if you want something that doubles as tree decoration. Those clear plastic ornaments that open up are perfect for this. You can find them in various sizes, and filling them becomes a creative challenge. Small candies work, of course, but I have also used folded up jokes, riddles, affirmations, or promises for special privileges like staying up an extra thirty minutes or picking the dinner menu.
Mason jars arranged on a tray create a rustic Christmas countdown calendar that looks like it belongs in a magazine. I number the lids with chalkboard paint, and each jar becomes a tiny treasure chest. This method is great because you can fit larger items inside if you want. Some years I have included craft supplies for a daily mini-project, which keeps the kids engaged beyond just opening something.
Creating a magnetic countdown on your refrigerator has become surprisingly popular in my house because it stays right where everyone sees it multiple times a day. I made magnetic pockets from felt and attached small magnets to the back. Each pocket holds a card with either a treat or an activity. The kids love moving the completed days to a “finished” section, which gives them a visual representation of how Christmas is approaching.
If you have a more adventurous spirit, consider a scavenger hunt style calendar where each day’s surprise is hidden somewhere in the house. I leave clues that lead to the next hiding spot, and the journey becomes just as fun as the discovery. This works especially well for older children who enjoy puzzles and challenges.
The materials you use matter less than the thought you put into what goes inside. I have learned that experiences often trump physical items. A coupon for a movie night, a promise to build a snowman together, or permission to sleep in the living room under the Christmas tree creates memories that last far beyond any toy or candy.
Involving your children in creating the calendar teaches them about giving and anticipation. My kids now help me plan what should go in each day, and they get excited thinking about what would make each day special. We spend an evening in November assembling everything while drinking cider and listening to music, and that preparation time has become its own tradition.
The real magic of DIY Christmas countdown calendars is not in how perfectly they are constructed or how expensive the contents are. It is in the daily ritual of coming together, the anticipation of what might be waiting, and the intentional way you are marking time during this special season. Every imperfect hand-drawn number and slightly crooked bag becomes part of your family’s unique story.
Reference
Fiese, B. H., Tomcho, T. J., Douglas, M., Josephs, K., Poltrock, S., & Baker, T. (2002). A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals: Cause for celebration? Journal of Family Psychology, 16(4), 381–390.
Van Boven, L., & Gilovich, T. (2003). To do or to have? That is the question. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(6), 1193–1202. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.6.1193
U.S. Department of Agriculture & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 (9th ed.). https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov