DIY Advent Calendars: Creative Ideas to Spruce Up Your Holiday Decor

Are you tired of the same old store-bought advent calendars that don’t quite fit your home’s style? Looking for a fun and festive DIY project to get you and your family into the holiday spirit? Well, look no further! Making your own advent calendar is a great way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor while building anticipation for the big day.

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Why DIY Advent Calendars?

DIY advent calendars are not only a fun and creative way to count down to Christmas, but they can also be a meaningful addition to your holiday traditions. Whether you prefer a minimalist and modern design or something whimsical and nostalgic, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating your own advent calendar. Here are some reasons why making your own advent calendar can be a great idea:

Tailor it to your home’s style and scale
Get the whole family involved in a fun holiday project
Save money by using simple materials and upcycling items
Create a meaningful and personalized countdown to Christmas

Modern Graphics Design: Urbanology Designs

Why not start with a modern advent calendar designed by professional interior designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs? This stunning advent calendar doubles as decor and is created using simple materials like envelopes, red stickers, and roomy goodie bags. The hanging structure is made with wooden dowels and string, making it a striking addition to any home with a neutral color palette.

Try Muted Colors: @home.and.spirit

For a more soothing and neutral advent calendar, take inspiration from Erica of @home.and.spirit. She created a wall-mounted advent calendar using fabric drawstring bags in a soft holiday palette of muted greens and reds. This simple DIY project complements modern color schemes and adds a touch of elegance to any room.

Let It Roll: Ohoh deco

Looking for an interactive advent calendar that will bring a smile to your kids’ faces? Check out this fun DIY calendar from Ohoh deco. Made from recycled baby food glass jars and scrap wood, this calendar features jars filled with treats and decorated with numbers and elf stickers. The inclining shelves allow the jars to roll and tumble as each day’s jar is removed, adding an element of surprise and fun to your holiday countdown.

Use Pegboard: The Merrythought

If you’re a fan of minimalism and graphic design, The Merrythought has you covered with their modern DIY advent calendar made with kraft card stock and DIY favor bags. The black-and-white look of this calendar is perfect for adults and minimalists who prefer a clean and contemporary aesthetic.

Embrace Unconventional Colors: The House That Lars Built

For those looking to add a pop of color to their holiday decor, The House That Lars Built offers a colorful DIY paper light bulb advent calendar template. With non-traditional colors like pale pink and yellow mixed with bright blue and red, this modern twist on a classic calendar is sure to make a statement in any room.

Put a Message In a Bottle: Your DIY Family

For a thoughtful and unique advent calendar idea, Your DIY Family created a chic bottle brush tree forest advent calendar using mini cork-top bottles filled with rolled-up paper messages. Each message is full of Christmas tidings and joy, making this calendar a meaningful way to spread holiday cheer.

Make a Driftwood Wall Hanging: Most Lovely Things

Blogger Annie Diamond of Most Lovely Things shows us how to create a tree-shaped DIY advent calendar using clay tags, driftwood, drawstring bags, and greens. This wall hanging doubles as decor and is perfect for smaller spaces or as an alternative to a traditional Christmas tree.

String It From the Bunkbed: Annie Sloan

Designer Annie Sloan demonstrates how to string an advent calendar from the top bunk of a kids’ room, keeping the holiday magic alive for the little ones. The chic black-and-white drawstring bags can be reused year after year, making this calendar both stylish and sustainable.

Make It 3D: Lia Griffith

Lia Griffith brings a whimsical touch to the traditional advent calendar with her 3D paper advent calendar village. Stacked on the mantel, this playful set of Christmas memorabilia is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Stay Neutral: Finding Lovely

Finding Lovely fills empty space between windows with a large DIY advent calendar featuring neutral-toned stockings and painted numbered wooden ornaments. This calendar is tailor-made for a pale coastal palette and adds a statement to any room while maintaining a light and airy feel.

Take It Out: Studio DIY

Studio DIY offers a modern advent calendar made from colorful stacked numbered take-out boxes that can be filled with anything you like. This fun and interactive calendar is a great way to get creative with your holiday countdown.

Make It Interactive: The House That Lars Built

The House That Lars Built takes advent calendars to the next level with a photo-based calendar that encourages Christmas challenges in the lead-up to the holiday. Decorating the staircase banister with captioned photos tied to a garland, each challenge completed is documented and can be cherished as a holiday memory for years to come.

Hang Envelopes: The Merrythought

The Merrythought adds a simple and minimalist touch to the advent calendar with a wooden dowel decorated with eucalyptus and dried orange slice garland. Strung with white paper envelopes filled with activity cards, this calendar is perfect for minimalists and can fit seamlessly into any interior.

String Up Some Stars: A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess gets creative with a DIY advent calendar garland made from numbered star boxes strung on a decorative wooden ladder in the hallway. This playful display adds a touch of holiday cheer to any space.

Highlights of the DIY Advent Calendar Ideas:

Personalized advent calendars reflect your tastes and lifestyle
Creative examples range from minimalist to whimsical designs
Interactive and fun ideas for kids and adults
Sustainable options using upcycled materials
Meaningful activities and messages to spread holiday cheer

Conclusion

DIY advent calendars are a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor while building anticipation for Christmas. Whether you prefer a minimalist, modern, or whimsical design, there are endless possibilities for creating your own unique calendar. From modern graphics design to interactive and sustainable options, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So get crafting and start counting down to the most wonderful time of the year!