7 Inventive DIY Advent Calendars

December is nearly here and with it comes, in our opinion, the start of the holiday season. Now you may have had your halls decked since November (and that’s fine; we’re not judging) but for us, the festive feeling hits in December. For one, December 1st means it’s time to bust out the Advent calendar. And nothing gets you feeling jolly like being met with a new piece of candy or holiday activity each day.

And so, in anticipation of the warmth and fun the countdown to Christmas brings, we decided to share our favorite DIY Advent calendars. This year, instead of going store-bought, why don’t you make something special and unique your whole family can enjoy? Be thoughtful with what each day brings, and make memories that will last for many Christmases to come. 

Pleasant Presents – A bit of Velcro, some cute wrapping paper, fun gifts, and a little vision, and you’ve got yourself one seriously cute Advent calendar. We’re big fans of having the presents make up the tree, but it might start to look a little less festive as you move further into December – so keep filling your house with lots of holiday cheer to offset this.

Image via Brit + Co

Beautiful Buckets – How cute is this craft? The buckets can be filled with almost anything (chocolates, toys, decorations, and more!), and the style of the calendar makes it a great addition to your holiday decor.

Image via The Feminist Housewife

Terrific Toilet Paper – We just love how this project turned out! If it’s a little too plain for your taste, give those toilet paper rolls a coat of paint. 

Image via Morning Creativity

Marvelous Muffin Tin – Making your own Advent calendar doesn’t have to be too hard! Muffin pans are perfect for this little project (as long as you’re using one with 24 wells!).

Image via Better Homes And Gardens

Enviable Embroidery Wreath – We absolutely love the look of this embroidery wreath and parcels! The embroidery hoop isn’t completely covered in greenery, which adds a nice rustic feel and the brown parcels are subtly festive.

Image via Lapinblu

Playful Pegboard – This simple calendar won’t take up too much space but will certainly add a lot of holiday cheer to your space. Instead of each day being marked with a treat or gift, there’s a different festive activity to be done. You can bake cookies, send holiday cards, do nice things for neighbors, and more!

Image via Country Living

Creative Canvas – Pegboard too small? This canvas Advent calendar may be more your speed. The brilliant details of the tree can really add to your holiday decor, and fun felt ornaments make the perfect day markers.

Image via Oh Happy Day

We hope these fun DIY Advent calendars help you and your family prepare for the holiday season. What are your holiday traditions? Let us know how you get in the holiday spirit by sharing your most festive shots with @HomeShows on Twitter and Instagram.