The countdown is on: Make your own custom Advent calendar

The holiday season is a magical time. If you love the fun and surprise that holiday traditions bring, you’re likely a big fan of Advent calendars. The fun of an Advent calendar starts on Dec. 1 with 24 special surprises, counting down the days until Christmas. It’s surprisingly easy to learn how to make an advent calendar yourself.

Originating from German and Lutheran traditions, the first Advent calendars would reveal verses or pieces of the Nativity story leading up to Christmas. Contemporary versions are still used to celebrate Christmas but have devolved into premade calendars full of goodies.

There’s an Advent calendar for just* about everyone, from adults to kids.

You can seek out a premade Advent calendar that is decorative and festive. Anthropologie sells calendars that look like mini cabinets with 24 drawers to fill with custom goodies and feature designs of winter villages. (anthropologie.com, $78) Some calendars even include LEDs for extra Christmas magic. The best part? You can reuse these sets for years to come.

If store-bought is not your thing, Advent calendars are easy to make.

How to make an Advent calendar

When it comes to making one, there are two things to consider: How to store your 24 gifts and choosing the gifts.

At a basic level, all you need are 24 boxes, bags or prebuilt drawers. Any small gift boxes are perfect for building your Advent calendar and filling with small gifts and trinkets. Once you have all of your boxes, label them “1” through “24.” A set of paint markers, such as oilbased Christmas Sharpies, will come in handy for decorating your boxes. (amazon.com, $16.50)

You don’t have to be a master crafter to create a special Advent calendar display. In fact, those crafters have done a lot of the hard work for you, offering Advent calendars you can print or have shipped to you.

On Etsy, OhHelloMaker created a PDF of DIY Christmas houses for you to print and make at home. (etsy.com, $12)

What to put in your calendar

Once you’ve secured your Advent calendar set up, it’s time to fill it up. This is the fun part because you can customize it to suit the preferences of your giftee. Pick a theme (think 24 days of chocolate or nail polish) or choose a variety of little toys. Advent calendars are a joy for kids and adults alike, so you can make one for anybody.

Here are some Advent calendar gifts ideas for kids:

⬤ Legos

⬤ Cute erasers

⬤ Mini art supplies

⬤ Cozy socks

⬤ Fidget toys

Advent calendar gift ideas for adults:

⬤ Chocolate bars

⬤ K-Cups or Nespresso pods

⬤ Alcohol minis

⬤ Fancy votive candles

⬤ Makeup minis

⬤ Jewelry

⬤ Gift cards