Kickstart the festive season with an interesting advent calendar; take your pick from our list of 15 Stunning DIY Christmas Advent Calendars for Kids!

You know how they say that when you have a big event coming up, it is often the anticipation of the event that brings more joy than the actual event itself. Well, I think that’s probably why advent calendars are such a hit during the Christmas holiday season!

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What is an Advent Calendar?

An Advent Calendar is simply a countdown calendar to count down the days before Christmas. The name implies that the countdown would begin from the first ‘Advent Sunday‘, but since the date of this day varies, most people start their countdown on December 1st, ending on Christmas Day, i.e. December 25th.

It is believed that the tradition of advent calendars began in Germany, and it is even derived from the German word ‘Adventskalender‘. However, it gained renewed popularity after American President Dwight D. Eisenhower was photographed opening an advent calendar in 1946.

Advent calendars can be simple, with just dates marking the countdown, or they can have hidden gifts like candy or trinkets. These days, it’s a great hit with kids, who often find it a fun way to wait it out till Christmas Day!

Well, if you’re thinking of having an advent calendar in your home this year, don’t rush out to buy one just yet – make one yourself! Here are 15 ideas for DIY Christmas advent calendars that range from simple to elaborate, for kids of all ages!

15 Stunning DIY Christmas Advent Calendars

1. Printable Santa Advent Calendar with Gift Tags

If you’re looking for really easy DIY Christmas advent calendars for young kids to make, try out this simple Santa calendar printable. Poor Santa here has a pretty flat beard, so keep adding a ball of cotton wool everyday so that Santa has a nice, full, fluffy beard by Christmas!

2. DIY Nativity Advent Calendar

We love this calendar from Lovely Indeed and we think it would go perfectly well with our Nativity Printable Craft! The instructions are simple enough and we think it’s make for a nice way to brighten up a plain wall!

3. Take Out Boxes Advent Calendar

Takeout boxes can do more than just store food – they can also store advent gifts! We love this idea from Studio DIY because it’s a great way to hold gifts that are just a little bigger than candy or trinkets.

4. Build Your Own Lego Advent Calendar

We love making Lego crafts here, which is why we think this idea from Frugal Fun 4 Boys is a great choice! It’s a fun project for siblings to make together, and then Mom and Dad can fill in the treats later!

5. Colorful Houses Advent Calendar

Sugar and Cloth brings us an advent calendar idea that uses little cardboard houses. You can find these in stores or websites that sell party favor boxes, or you can make your own from printable templates.

6. DIY Paper Bag Advent Calendar

If you’re not in the mood for something complicated and would prefer low-effort DIY Christmas advent calendars, this one from Tell Love and Party will be perfect for you!

7. Paper City Christmas Advent Calendar

Yes, Christmas villages are common, but have you heard of a Christmas city? Well, Mr. P makes brings us a fun city that features houses and buildings including skyscrapers, all numbered for the advent!

8. Mini Stocking Advent Calendar

It is customary to hang stockings on Christmas eve so that Santa can drop little treats in them, but Martha Stewart shows us that they can also work as an advent calendar, especially when you hang them up on a tree!

9. Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar

Here’s a fun way to keep things eco-friendly and waste-free – using toilet paper rolls! Curious Columbus has a fun video showing us how to create little pillow boxes out of toilet paper rolls and then decorating them for a fun, custom advent calendar!

10. Kindness Advent Calendar

Amid all the shopping, feasting and decorating, we sometimes forget that Christmas is also about giving and sharing. Lovely Indeed has a beautiful advent calendar idea that focuses on acts of kindness, perfect for kids of all ages.

11. DIY Punch Box Advent Calendar

Why make boring DIY Christmas advent calendars when you can make fun ones that you can punch? Yes, Studio DIY has an advent calendar project that you can actually punch to get your gift!

12. DIY Christmas Bulb Advent Calendar

Christmas bulbs are an iconic symbol of the holiday, and The House that Lars Built celebrates them in this pretty bulb garland that is both an advent calendar as well as a decor item for Christmas!

13. DIY Advent Calendar Village

We are in love with this Christmas village advent calendar from Juju Sprinkles! Those houses are absolutely adorable, and so is the little Santa on his way to deliver gifts. Arrange the pieces on a bed of cotton wool to mimic snow for the ultimate effect!

14. Matchbox Advent Calendar

We love upcycled and recycled crafts, and this one from The Craft Patch Blog is a winner in our eyes! The project uses matchboxes to hold treats, and is an easy, low cost idea for DIY Christmas advent calendars.

15. Upcycled Advent Christmas Tree

If you’ve got lots of cardboard tubes and have no idea what to do with them, try making this Christmas tree advent calendar from Chic and Jo. It’s easy enough, and also looks great when it’s up on the wall!

We’ve tried to include quite a variety of DIY Christmas advent calendars in this list, from matchboxes to toilet paper rolls to even takeout boxes! Yes, some of these advent calendars do require more effort, but you can always turn it into a family project. Perfect way to bond before the holidays start!

If you’re looking for more Christmas projects, check these out: