The Best DIY Advent Calendar Ideas (+ The Top Filler Items)

Advent calendars can be an enchanting way to get in the holiday spirit and count down the days until Christmas. They also present the perfect opportunity to get creative as you transform your surroundings into a holiday dream world. Read on for DIY advent calendar ideas that can turn the countdown to Christmas into a daily adventure of surprise and wonder.

What is an advent calendar?

Advent calendars celebrate the 24 days leading up to Christmas with a special gift each day. Their structure can take many forms, but they’re generally made with a door for each day, and they typically include small gifts or treats.

This calendar’s name comes from advent season, which marks the four Sundays between November 30 and December 24. This tradition, which involves counting down the days to Christmas with snacks and spiritual readings, began in Germany. Today, advent calendars are a Christmas tradition that can bring a touch of magic right into your home.

DIY advent calendar ideas

The possibilities for your DIY advent calendar ideas are endless. You can go traditional, or you can add your own creative twist. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Gift bags

Who says a DIY advent calendar has to be complicated? Small gift bags can be an easy way to add a dash of joy. Use paper bags as a canvas and add festive adornments like fake holly or colorful pom poms to create a merry mood.

Gift boxes

You can make it feel like Christmas morning every day with small wrapped gift boxes. Jewelry boxes are the perfect size for adding individual pieces of candy or tiny trinkets and bringing character to your celebration.

DIY Christmas village

You can mentally transport everyone back to the Yules of yore with a DIY Christmas village. These mini-towns can add a touch of nostalgia to all your decor, and you can make them even more festive as DIY advent calendar ideas. Use paper, wood, or whatever your heart desires to create your own winter wonderland.

Great holiday bake-off

If baking is your creative medium of choice, whip up a scrumptious advent calendar. Ginger or shortbread cookie dough, for example, holds up well in calendar form. If there’s another sweet recipe that you shine at baking, don’t be afraid to get creative.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Transform your space into the North Pole with an ode to all things Santa. You can easily fashion mini Santa hats or boots into a charming advent calendar.

Christmas tree

A classic Christmas tree presents an array of options when designing your DIY advent calendar. That’s especially true if you elevate your Christmas tree calendar with elegant ornaments or a pastoral theme.

Stocking stuffers

A line of miniature advent stockings can create a merry and bright atmosphere. Hang each stocking by the chimney with care, or use a garland and other greenery to adorn this DIY advent calendar idea.

The best 15 DIY advent calendar fillers

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to filling all 24 days of your advent calendar. Read on for some inspiring DIY advent calendar filler ideas that might dazzle your family and friends.

1. Sweet treats

Candy is possibly the most traditional advent calendar filler, and for good reason – a sweet treat is often a welcome delight. You can stick to classic milk chocolate or personalize your sweet treats with your loved one’s favorite candy. A little something sweet each day can be a wonderful way to create a cheerful Christmas mood.

2. Galaxy star projector

Let your friends and family enjoy the brilliance of holiday lights year-round with a galaxy projector. These unique laser lights can add an ambience of amazement to any space. With the Sky Lite Evolve, for example, you can customize your own nebula cloud colors. With 360-degree wall-to-wall rotation and voice or phone control, you can transport yourself to a stunning galaxy of cheerful hues without moving an inch.

Sky Lite Evolve: Smart Galaxy Projector

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The latest evolution in smart galaxy lighting.

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3. Sports accessories

You can celebrate the sports fanatics in your life with all things athletic in your DIY advent calendars. Try sticking to a theme, such as a new golf ball each day, or mixing it up with a variety of advent calendar-sized basketballs. This slam-dunk gift idea is a great way to create daily moments of wow.

4. Art supplies

Inspire the artists in your life with a new art instrument each day. From paints to brushes to sculpting clay, there are limitless options. Fill this DIY advent calendar idea with supplies that can help your artist friend get into a boundless state of creative flow.

5. Personalized presents

Add a personal flair to your advent calendar with presents made specifically for the gift recipient. You can customize their favorite items with their name or initials. Alternatively, you can go completely DIY with personalized coupons for just about anything. A personal touch can go a long way in creating memorable moments.

6. A Variety of spices

Marvel the culinary creators in your life with a new spice a day. This is a great way to invigorate the senses with an idea that truly puts the “season” into season’s greetings.

7. Hot sauce selections

Heat up as the weather cools down with a variety of hot sauces. You can choose your favorite brands or spice it up with bottles that get hotter by the day. It’s a great way to instantly transport your friends and family to a world of true heat.

8. Books

Give the book lovers in your life a new story to dive into each day. A book advent calendar is a great way to transport your book-loving friends to another world without them leaving the couch all December long.

9. Stationery

Celebrate your loved ones who enjoy the art of letter writing with a variety of stationery and supplies. Fill your advent calendar with a collection of colorful paper and pens, and add a few fun accessories like stamps. This idea can also make things easier after the holidays when you have a long list of thank you notes to send. Handwritten cards can be a great way to create little moments of wonder all year long.

10. Coffee and tea samplers

Give the gift of comfort with samples of coffee, tea, or a mix of both. You can wow the caffeine aficionados or stick to herbal tea for your loved ones looking to slow down this season. After all, nothing says cozy like a warm beverage.

11. Tech accessories

Tech-themed gifts are always a holiday favorite. You can fill your advent calendar with practical tech gear or gifts like Bluetooth speakers that transform one’s surroundings with the push of a button. Tech products offer countless opportunities for your gift recipients to shift their perspective and reshape their environment.

12. Crystals

Use your DIY advent calendar to delight with an assortment of crystals. This way, your gift recipients can count down to Christmas with a glimmer of wonder each day. Crystals are just the right size for creating mini moments of awe.

13. Sleep essentials

Your gift recipients can drift off to slumberland with a sleep mask or calming essential oils. You can also create a soothing environment with the help of the BlissEmber smart multicolor night light. This adjustable plug-in creates a tranquil atmosphere so you can fall asleep long before Santa arrives.

BlissEmber Smart Multicolor Night Light

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14. Beauty samples

You can excite the cosmetic artists in your life with beauty essentials as advent calendar fillers. Lipsticks and eye shadows are the perfect advent calendar size, and they’re a great way to bring color every day until Christmas.

15. Self-care necessities

Indulge your loved ones in a spa day at home with self-care items in their advent calendars. For example, face masks and bath bombs are a great way to transform your home into a space of peace and relaxation.

You can also add a serene ambience with the BlissRadia. This phone- and voice-operated orb has nine preset color gradients, and it can shine in any color of the rainbow. It seamlessly transitions between calming colors for a home spa treatment that will leave your gift recipient glowing.

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Spread joy and good tidings with a DIY advent calendar

Crafting a DIY advent calendar can be an excellent way to spread holiday cheer and enter a state of creative flow. Gifts like BlissLights can help you concoct a spectacle of festivity as your loved ones eagerly await Christmas. Browse the BlissLights collection now to transform any holiday into a true celebration.