Affordable DIY Advent Calendars

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. Even though the actual holiday is only one day, I am veerry good at stretching into a whole season. There's just something magical about the time of year: the joy, the giving, the activities!

A tradition in my family growing up was for us kids to open an advent calendar box each day starting December 1st. Even though it was the same quilted calendar that my grandma made each year, filled with the same little Christmas inspired trinkets, it was always exciting to watch the numbers count down the days until Jolly old Saint Nick shows up.

Now that my daughter is older and can participate and understand the excitement of the season, I've started to look for our own traditions to start this holiday. And of course an advent calendar has to be one of them! Obviously, we will have a chocolate calendar (I say it's for her but Mama loves her chocolate too), but I wanted to do something with a little more value.

What to put in your advent calendar:

FOR KIDS:

• Mini playdough

• mini figurine toys

• chapstick

• hair bows or accessories

• mini toy cars

• mini chocolates or other candies (be mindful of choking hazards)

• pack of hot chocolate

• bracelets or necklaces

• stickers

• temporary tattoos

• mini pictures for colouring

• markers or crayons

• money

• special note for your child

• gift cards to their favourite store

• bath bombs

FOR ADULTS

• Mini toiletries

• face masks

• socks

• Mini bottles of booze

• candy

• personalized Christmas ornament

• keychain

• small candles

• stationary

• packets of seeds

• chocolate

• nail polish

• golf tees

• golf balls

• necktie

• underwear

• jewelry

• perfume or cologne

  
  

I've scoured the internet for the best and affordable DIY advent calendars and here are the top five that I found!

1. Paper Bag Advent Calendar

2. Punch Out Advent Calendar

   
   

   

   3. Recycled Toilet Paper Roll Advent Calendar

   
   

   

   4. Hanging Envelope Advent Calendar

   
   

   

   PS: You can find a tutorial on how to make these dried orange slices here!

   
   

   5. Muffin Tin Advent Calendar

   
   

   

   
   

   BONUS: Reverse Photo Challenge Advent Calendar

   
   

   

   
   

   I have so many ideas for our new family traditions already, I hope I was able to give you some starting points as well. If you try one of these, I'd love to see it! Tag me on social or leave a comment!