DIY Advent Calendar ideas (Christmas countdown)

Can you believe we were just celebrating Thanksgiving last week, doing some crazy shopping on Friday, and when the calendar turned Monday it is already DECEMBER!? I don’t know about about you but I am ready to start a petition that Thanksgiving be moved to the 2nd Thursday in November. These years when there is no week between Thanksgiving and December makes for an extra packed few days/weeks before Christmas.

I am pretty much done decorating (there was no way I could have gotten it done if I didn’t start early) but I do have a few homemade and DIY things that I hope to accomplish this week. One of them being an advent calendar or a DIY Christmas countdown display. I will incorporate many of the things off my Christmas bucket list into the advent calendar so we can accomplish two things at once.

So I went searching for ideas for DIY Advent calendars or Christmas countdowns and thought I would share them with you. There are so many great ideas out there by bloggers that you could put your own spin on and have one perfect for your family.

DIY Upcycled Burlap Closet Door Advent Calendar by Lilacs and Longhorns

Advent Calendar made with little bags

Advent ornaments made from doilies – You decorate the tree as you take down one doily each day. This could be done with so many thing – homemade ornaments, cutouts of any kind, Christmas balls, etc.

Do a book countdown – wrap up 24 books (new or old) and unwrap one to read each night.

Vintage Coke Crate Advent Calendar

Chalkboard Tag Advent Calendar

Christmas Chalkboard Countdown by Lily Pad Cottage

Treat bag calendar – with free printables from Yellow Bliss Road

DIY Advent calendar using little tins from View from the Fridge

Ornament Countdown to Christmas

Muffin Tin Advent Calendar

Clothespin Advent Calendar

These advent calendar bags are so cute and Honey We’re Home has some great ideas to go inside

DIY Illustrated Nativity Advent Calendar

Cardboard tubes countdown

Advent Calendar in a jar

Canvas Advent Calendar

Christmas tree countdown on the wall

Santa Christmas Countdown printable

Advent Activity Jar

And if you are wanting ideas for what to put in your advent calendar, some activities to include here’s some ideas and even some free printable cards.

Holiday Movie Advent Cards