9 Chic Yet Easy DIY Advent Calendar Ideas to Add Some Creative Magic to Your Festive Countdown

For many of us, Advent marks the beginning of the festive period and having a beautiful Advent calendar to count down the days is a lovely Christmas ritual that helps us get into the festive spirit. DIY Advent calendars are all the rage at the moment and are a wonderful Christmas craft idea to bring a personal touch to your festivities. Unlike standardised off-the-peg Advent calendars, the beauty of DIY designs is that they can be customised around your loved ones' interests and seasonal traditions so that each family member is catered for - from the young to the young-at-heart.

DIY Advent calendars are also a lovely opportunity to get stuck into something mindful amid the frenzy of holiday preparations. For those looking for a sustainable celebration, a handcrafted Advent calendar that can be reused and refilled year after year is an eco-friendly option, plus they make cherished family heirlooms that can be passed down through the generations.

'DIY Advent calendars are having a real moment this year as shoppers look for ways to make the countdown feel more personal and meaningful. On Etsy, searches for Advent calendars are already up +109%*, a sign that shoppers’ are eager to put their own spin on tradition,' says Etsy Trend Expert, Dayna Isom Johnson.

'It’s less about what’s inside and more about building a ritual that truly reflects who you are. This year, try creating an Advent calendar that feels uniquely ‘you’—whether that means mini reads for the book lover or little nods to your own family traditions.'

Our Head of Living, Katrina, spoke to Jo Malone's fragrance expert Céline Roux about her festive traditions recently, and she revealed how a treasure hunt-style Advent calendar, was one of her favorite family activities for the holiday.

I've rounded up an array of creative DIY Advent calendar projects to inspire, including make-from-scratch ideas, to ready-made designs perfect for customising.

*Based on searches on Etsy in the last month (compared to the month before)

1. Style an Envelope Advent Calendar

For a super quick Advent calendar that has a big impact, this envelope wall calendar is a great option. Simply gather together an assortment of envelopes in different sizes and attach to the wall in a festive arrangement - a tree works particularly well, or a wreath could work too. For best results, use assorted colours, but stick to a limited palette, as shown here with silver and icy blue tones. These self-seal colorful envelopes from Amazon come in a whole spectrum of tones

To prevent damage to paintwork, use adhesive strips that won't chip the paint, such as Gorilla Putty (available from Walmart). Alternatively, mount the envelopes on a board like this large felt bulletin board (Amazon) – that way you can move it around the house, too.

2. Make a Mini Pouch Garland Calendar

This simple and sustainable garland calendar couldn't be easier to create, all you need is a length of string, 24 small canvas pouches, such as these Mini jute bags from Amazon, 24 mini wooden clothes pins (Walmart), and 24 small brown tags (Amazon).

Simply fill each canvas pouch with treats and gifts, peg the pouches at regular intervals along the string, and attach numbered labels to each pouch. For fillings, try 'sweet treats, tea lights, lip balm, crystals, lavender or herb bundles,' says Angela Maynard, author of The Art of Gifting Naturally.

'Peg the filled pouches to the string, either from left to right following the numbers 1-24 or mixing up the numbers so that recipients have to search for that day’s pouch.' This makes it a little more fun and exciting for little ones.

3. Hanging Toy Drum Advent calendar

Søstrene Grene's Drum Advent calendar makes a fun, festive idea for little ones in the family. Individually wrapped gifts are strung from a DIY cardboard drum trimmed with tinsel and suspended from the ceiling to create an interactive mobile. It's such a simple idea, which can be recreated with a strip of card formed into a cylinder shape and attached at the ends, then decorated with pretty paper. Make it super sustainable by using scraps of Christmas wrapping paper that are too small for gifts.

Why not get creative with different concepts? You could make a cluster of papier-mache covered balloons, decorated in a festive way. But you will need to make sure you choose small gifts such as chocolate coins, candies or stationery items so it doesn't put too much weight on the main creation.

4. Go for a Mantelpiece Village Advent Calendar

Take inspiration from Scandinavian village scenes and vintage Putz house villages with an Advent calendar of mini cardboard house gift boxes. The Advent Calendar Christmas Village House kit from Etsy features premade cardboard houses in three different sizes that can be easily folded together and finished with pegs and gold paper numbers. For a simple, rustic look, keep them plain, alternatively, you could customise them with paint and glitter to resemble a true Putz village.

The boxes can be arranged along a mantelpiece to double as a Christmas mantel decor idea. Alternatively, you could string them up along a foraged branch or a piece of festive ribbon to create a hanging mobile.

'One of my favorite ways to elevate an Advent calendar — especially a mini-box style like this one — is to give it a little stage presence. Try arranging the boxes at different heights using stacked books or small risers, then warm up the look by layering in cozy textures like greenery, ribbon, or soft linens underneath,' advises Etsy trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson. 'The mix of dimension and natural materials gives the display that warm, handmade feel shoppers are craving this season.'

5. Create a Cardboard Tube Advent Calendar

This ingenious Advent calendar idea from Swedish brand Søstrene Grene is proof that you don't have to spend a fortune to create something fun and unique. To create it, fill 24 cardboard toilet paper tubes with gifts and festive treats before wrapping them individually in beautiful paper.

Number the ends of each roll with a metallic pen, like these multi-colored ones from Amazon, and then, using a glue gun (available from Walmart), glue the rolls together in a tree formation. Finally, glue green felt (Walmart) over the top to finish. The gift is retrieved by simply punching through the paper to reveal, which kids will love.

6. Use Reclaimed Materials for Your Advent Calendar

If you love styling thrifted pieces then you'll love this simple and elegant DIY Advent calendar. Set against a beautiful vintage French screen, the frame is a repurposed antique child's bow and arrow - hung with simple white paper bags.

This makes a fun talking point, plus it's a great way to decorate sustainably at Christmas time. When you're next at a yard sale or thrift store, think a little outside the box - there are lots of items which could be repurposed for hanging Advent gift bags, like these from Amazon such as vintage wooden rulers or old wooden coat hangers.

'The easiest DIY Advent calendars often become statement wall decor pieces when designed with texture, color, and unexpected materials. In my experience, simple envelopes pinned on reclaimed wood, tiny glass jars hung from twine, or small linen pouches clipped to a minimalist rod transform ordinary walls into seasonal art,' says Erwin Gutenkust, CEO of Neolithic Materials.

7. Design a Pegboard Advent Calendar

For those looking to curb consumption at Christmas, why not try a simple Advent calendar featuring pretty pictures or Christmas messages? Harking back to the simple Advent calendars of the past, there's something lovely about a humble paper version that conjures the simple pleasures of Christmases past.

Choose an assortment of pretty Christmas postcards (you could even repurpose last year's Christmas cards) and write happy Christmas memories on them.

To make this, buy a simple memo board, like this one from IKEA, and place pins in a simple festive shape, such as a star or Christmas tree, then wrap some ribbon around the shape to create a Christmas-themed backdrop. You could even cover the board in Christmas wrap first to give it a more decorative look. Then use the pins to attach your meaninful memos.

8. Try a Wall Organizer Advent Calendar

If you're handy with the sewing machine, then this canvas wall organizer makes a great customizable Advent calendar that can be brought out year after year. Not only is it easy to store and fold away, it can be styled up and filled for different occasions throughout the year such as Halloween or Easter - simply fill with seasonal gifts.

This DIY wall organizer sewing pattern, available on Etsy, can be made using simple canvas, as pictured, for a classic look. Alternatively, why not mix in some festive prints or classic gingham or plaid for a traditional festive feel?

For an easier and quicker take, a simple ready-made hanging organizer, like this one from Wayfair which already features 24 pockets and comes in a range of colors to suit your decor, will work perfectly.

Once hung, try styling up your organizer with LED fairy lights, fresh seasonal foliage, then fill the pockets with sweet treats, mini toys, candles or beauty products.

9. A Wall-Hung Tree Advent Calendar

If you're looking for a super quick and easy DIY Advent calendar, then take inspiration from this wall-hung VINTERFINT wooden tree from IKEA, which is perfect for hanging countdown gift bags.

These colourful mini treat bags from Target would work well, or drawstring gift bags. Alternatively, if you are crafty, handmade knitted stockings or mittens are a lovely way to lean into the festive mood.

DIY Advent Calendar Essentials

Looking for more DIY Christmas craft ideas? We've compiled a guide packed with inspiration for a hands-on festive season, from wreaths to hand-made gift wrap.