With the holidays fast approaching, many will want to count the days and experience something magical daily. Let’s explore unique advent calendar ideas for every taste and interest.
Get crafty Advent calendars can be a budget-friendly and fun way to celebrate the holidays with friends, family or yourself. Create a DIY calendar from simple items like small envelopes pinned to a board, paper bags hung on string or mini gift boxes displayed on a shelf. Consider making reusable advent calendars from fabric or wood that can be enjoyed year after year. Personalize them with small pockets or drawers that can be filled each season. If you’re on a tight budget, use recycled cardboard, small paper bags or leftover jars and containers to hold items like spiced sugars, teas or bath salts.
Fill your DIY advent calendar with a variety of inexpensive and thoughtful ideas. Consider small candies, stickers or homemade crafts like origami. For a more natural or biodegradable touch, include items like soaps, seed packets, homemade candles or treats. Get creative with fun-themed DIYs like a cozy hygge calendar, a gratitude calendar or a foodie calendar.
Wellness/Beauty Calendars There are many beauty product calendars from Macy’s, Sephora, and other stores, as well as unique branded calendars like Lancôme and MAC. These tend to be expensive, but you can try them out with the mini products before committing to and purchasing the whole product. If you want to focus on more of a wellness advent calendar, DIY it with self-care activities like “take a five-minute meditation break” or “go for a winter walk.” Each day’s activity can focus on physical or mental well-being. Make it more fitness-challenged with “10-minute stretching” or “10 squats or plank hold.”
Fur babies Let’s not forget our precious four-legged friends! Get Snoopy and Garfield involved with holiday fun each day. Costco, Chewy and Trader Joe’s have unique and affordable advent calendars for dogs and cats. If you would rather DIY a pet-friendly advent calendar, fill it with treats, mini chew toys or a special grooming brush. Be sure they are all safe. For instance, avoid small items that could be a choking hazard and ensure that treats suit your pet’s dietary needs. Make it a themed calendar like “treat-a-day” for a food-focused countdown or “activity-a-day” with ideas like extra playtime, a short walk or even a holiday pet photo shoot, which can make a fun holiday card for next year!
Global Advent Craft an advent calendar inspired by different cultures if you’d like to be more inspired culturally for the holiday season. Each day could feature a holiday tradition, a fun fact or a small item inspired by a different culture. For example, day one could explore German holiday markets and Krampusnacht, while day two might highlight Japanese holiday light displays. Include recipes from around the globe, like a Swedish gingerbread recipe or a Polish star ornament craft, adding a unique, hands-on element. Filler ideas can include Mexican hot chocolate or teas from the UK.
Acts of Kindness Advent calendars do not need to be a physical gift each day. Instead, focus on experiences for 24 days of fun. Activities can include ideas like “decorate cookies,” “watch a holiday movie,” “go ice skating,” or “make holiday crafts.” Document each experience with photos or journal entries, creating a keepsake to remember the season by. You could create a scrapbook, a digital photo album or a journal with daily entries. Themes can include a “Cozy Countdown” with indoor activities or a “Holiday Spirit” calendar with acts of kindness, such as writing cards for seniors or donating to local charities.
So, whatever you choose to do this holiday season, remember to be grateful and lead with gratitude in your heart because you made it to yet another holiday season with family and friends!
