DIY Advent Calendars

Lots of Holiday traditions are getting ready to kick off tomorrow and one I absolutely adore is the Advent Calendar. Kids LOVE having a visual to countdown how many days are left til Christmas day!

Advent Calendars themselves run the gamut from preboxed, candy filled versions, to those pricey ones from high end shops, to fun DIY crafty ones! Well, quite frankly, I'm a cheapo AND I'm a crafter, so you KNOW which option I'm going for, right? I started mine last night using my new Advent Jar 2 kit.

Here are some fun DIY ideas for you to bust out your own Advent Calendar... and don't stress if you can't get it thrown together TODAY, you can start the advent at anytime, I'm sure your kids won't mind getting extra doses of goodies for a few days to catch up! :)

advent spools!!!! via justsomethingimade 

advent book by LeighTheo

made from a shoe organizer! via eighteen25 

advent boxes! via shabbychiccrafts

advent pockets!! via bluecricketdesign

advent trees!!! via pinksuedeshoe

advent cookie sheet! via katiebeecreative

advent boxes via bhg

advent tree!! via mayamade

machboxes!!! via countryliving

advent cones via theredthreadblog 

advent clothespins! via sundayinbed

advent packages via ohhappyday 

advent tp rolls! via stipje

advent mason jars via stipje

matchboxes via justagirlblog

advent cones via pickles

envelopes via designsponge

fabric chain via stitchcraftcreations

advent box via tatertotsandjello

boxes via 2boys2girls

advent calendar by kimbermcgray

advent jar by vwibbens 

Need ideas of what to put IN all those little boxes? Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Watch a holiday TV special
2. Decorate the tree
3. Make a holiday craft
4. Watch Elf
5. Assemble/address holiday cards with music and cocoa
6. Wrap gifts by the tree
7. Read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
8. Have lunch with Santa
9. Bake/decorate cookies
10. Make pinecone ornaments
11. Take a drive and look at holiday lights
12. Donate toys to a family in need
13. Cut out paper snowflakes
14. Go ice skating
15. Deliver baked goods to friends
16. Make breakfast for dinner and eat in our pajamas
17. Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage
18. Write down the 10 best memories from the past year
19. Attend a holiday concert
20. Take a family photo
21. Watch the snow fall
22. Share your favorite holiday memories with your kids
23. Go sledding
24. Read a Christmas story
25. Family movie night
26. Unwrap new jammies
27. Decorate cookies
28. Have a candlelit dinner
29. Leave cookies/milk for Santa
30. Enjoy giving as much as receiving

more filler ideas:

• via kimberlypetersen
• via thepetitcadeau
• via activityvillage