There’s something magical about waking up each December morning to a small surprise hidden behind a tiny door or drawer. Advent calendars bring warmth, excitement, and a sense of tradition to the holiday season, whether you fill them with candies, mini gifts, craft items, or heartfelt messages. reating your own filled Advent calendar makes the countdown even more meaningful.
With a blank calendar or a simple DIY design, you can personalize each day with thoughtful surprises for children, adults, partners, or anyone you want to make a smile. This guide highlights the best DIY ideas, affordable fillers, themed gift lists, and beautiful refillable Advent calendars to help you make this year’s countdown extra memorable.
Table of Content
- Choose a Blank or DIY Advent Calendar
- Kids’ Advent Calendar: 24 Affordable Gift Ideas
- Advent Calendar for Men: 24 Practical & Fun Ideas
- Advent Calendar for Women: 24 Cute & Pampering Gift Ideas
- Phrases for Advent Calendars
- Ideas for a DIY Advent Calendar (Low-Cost & Easy)
- Where to Buy Advent Calendars
Choose a Blank or DIY Advent Calendar
A refillable Advent calendar is a thoughtful way to share the excitement of Christmas with the people you love, day by day. You don’t need to build a full calendar from scratch; simply select a blank Advent Calendar with drawers, doors, or numbered compartments and fill each with small surprises.
You can choose:
- Classic wooden houses
- Sleigh-style designs
- Tree-shaped calendars
- LED-lit wooden villages
- Wall-hanging fabric Advent calendars
They double as décor and can be reused year after year, making them both festive and eco-friendly.
Kids’ Advent Calendar: 24 Affordable Gift Ideas
Want to avoid a sugar-only Christmas countdown? Here are 24 non-candy, budget-friendly ideas perfect for children:
- Mini figurines
- Finger puppets
- Crayons
- Activity sheets
- Origami animals
- Marbles
- Mini stamp set
- Bead craft kit
- Yo-yo
- Toy cars
- Pop-its
- Scented pencils
- Stickers
- Bubbles
- Modeling clay
- Sidewalk chalk
- Mini puzzles
- Glow-in-the-dark stars
- Holiday ornaments to decorate
- Temporary tattoos
- Cookie cutters
- Keychains
- Small notebooks
- DIY bracelet strings
Perfect Refillable Option:
Advent Calendar for Men: 24 Practical & Fun Ideas
Whether you’re making one for your husband, boyfriend, dad, or brother, here are 24 thoughtful ideas:
- Beard balm
- Aftershave
- Mini cologne
- Socks
- Power bank
- Keychain
- Travel-size coffee packs
- Pocket notebook
- Inspirational notes
- Golf tees
- Multi-tool
- Bottle opener
- Leather bookmark
- Hot cocoa mix
- Phone cleaning wipes
- Car freshener
- Chapstick
- Tie clip
- Mini screwdriver set
- Earbuds
- Cufflinks
- Mini flashlight
- Bottle of spices or rubs
- Gift card (coffee shop or fast food)
Refillable Option You Can Use Yearly:
Advent Calendar for Women: 24 Cute & Pampering Gift Ideas
Make her December feel warm and special with these 24 mini gifts:
- Lip balm
- Essential oil
- Nail polish
- Face mask
- Scrunchies
- Earrings
- Bracelet
- Mini candles
- Perfume sample
- Tea sachets
- Bath salts
- Eyeshadow
- Body scrub
- Hand cream
- Hair clip
- Makeup sponge
- Scented wax melts
- Notebook
- Keychain charm
- Cocoa packets
- Compact mirror
- Pen set
- Travel-size moisturizer
- Mini pouch
Refillable Option You Can Use Yearly:
Phrases for Advent Calendars
Adding daily messages to an Advent calendar is a simple way to make the countdown to Christmas feel meaningful. Whether the calendar is for kids or adults, thoughtful notes can bring joy, encouragement, reflection, or fun. Below are two complete lists, one designed for children and one for adults, to help you create a calendar filled with uplifting surprises.
Phrases for Kid’s Advent Calendars
A children’s Advent calendar becomes even more magical with short, uplifting messages. These simple notes add excitement, build confidence, and bring a little extra joy to each day of December.
24 Unique Phrases for Kids
- Your kindness can make someone’s whole day brighter.
- You are brave, curious, and full of potential.
- A good deed today can create a little holiday magic.
- Your smile brings joy wherever you go.
- Believe in yourself, you’re capable of great things.
- Every day is a chance to learn something new.
- Your imagination can take you anywhere.
- Helping someone today will make your heart feel full.
- Be proud of the effort you make each day.
- You make the world better just by being in it.
- A little kindness goes a long way.
- You are stronger than you think.
- Your ideas matter, share them boldly.
- Today is a perfect day to try something new.
- You are growing in amazing ways.
- A simple smile can spread a lot of joy.
- You can accomplish great things one step at a time.
- Your creativity makes life more colorful.
- Doing something thoughtful today can inspire someone else.
- Be patient with yourself, you are learning every day.
- You bring light everywhere you go.
- Kindness makes you shine even brighter.
- Believe in the magic you carry inside.
- You are loved more than you can imagine.
Phrases for an Advent Calendar for Adults
Adult Advent calendars feel more meaningful with thoughtful, calming messages. These short phrases offer encouragement, reflection, and gentle reminders to slow down and enjoy the season.
24 Unique Phrases for Adults
- Give yourself credit for how much you’ve overcome.
- Slow down today, peace begins with one calm moment.
- You don’t need to be perfect to be worthy.
- Take time for something that brings you joy.
- Your effort matters, even when it goes unseen.
- Let go of what drains you and protect your energy.
- You deserve the same kindness you give others.
- A small act of gratitude can shift your entire day.
- Be proud of the person you’re becoming.
- You’re allowed to rest without feeling guilty.
- Choose progress over perfection.
- Your resilience is one of your greatest strengths.
- Notice the small blessings, they add up.
- Trust yourself; you’ve made it through difficult seasons before.
- Let today remind you of what truly matters.
- Give yourself permission to slow down.
- You can start fresh at any moment.
- Celebrate every step forward, no matter how small.
- Your presence makes a difference to others.
- Peace often comes from letting go, not holding on.
- Hope is powerful, carry a little with you today.
- Be gentle with your expectations of yourself.
- You are stronger than the doubts you feel.
- Look for moments of light, they’re always there.
Ideas for a DIY Advent Calendar (Low-Cost & Easy)
If you want a creative Advent calendar without spending much, there are plenty of DIY options you can make using basic craft supplies or items already at home. These ideas are simple, festive, and perfect for kids, adults, or families who enjoy hands-on holiday fun.
1. Envelope Tree Advent Calendar
Create a charming display by arranging envelopes in the shape of a Christmas tree on a wall or door. Use different envelope sizes, number each one from 1 to 24, and tuck a small message, activity, or treat inside. This version looks beautiful and doubles as holiday décor.
2. Hanging Bag Advent Calendar
This easy DIY idea uses small burlap, fabric, or kraft paper bags. Place a tiny gift inside each bag, add numbered tags, and hang them on a long string or piece of twine using clothespins. Drape the string across a mantel, wall, or hallway for a cozy, rustic look.
3. Pegboard House Advent Calendar
Cut out little house shapes from cardstock, decorate them with markers or stickers, and then attach them to a pegboard. On the back of each one, write a daily activity or prompt, like “watch a holiday movie” or “bake cookies.” This option creates a colorful, display-style countdown you can reuse next year.
Where to Buy Advent Calendars
If you don’t have time to craft a DIY Advent calendar, you can find beautiful, reusable wooden designs on Aosom.com. With drawers, LED lights, Christmas figurines, and charming holiday details, they double as décor and become a tradition you can bring out every year.
You can also explore more Christmas décor, including:
All designed to bring festive cheer into your home.
FAQs
1. Do you start with 24 or 1 on an Advent calendar?
Most Advent calendars start with number 1, and you open one door or drawer each day beginning on December 1st. The numbers match the date, so you work your way up from 1 to 24 as Christmas approaches. Some people choose to count down from 24 instead, but the traditional and most common method is to start with 1 and count up.
2. What do you write on an Advent calendar?
You can fill your Advent calendar with short, meaningful notes, things like sweet messages, small compliments, shared memories, or simple reminders of why the person is special to you. These can be fun, romantic, motivational, or even silly. Anything that brings joy, encouragement, or a smile works perfectly.
3. In what order should you open an Advent calendar?
An Advent calendar is usually opened in numerical order, starting with the lowest number. Most people begin on December 1st and open one door or bag every day until they reach 24. The numbers are often arranged in a random layout, so part of the fun is hunting for the next day’s number.
4. How do you properly use an Advent calendar?
To use an Advent calendar, simply open one door or drawer each day beginning on December 1st. Most calendars include daily surprises like chocolates, small gifts, activities, or messages. The idea is to mark the passage of each day and visually follow the countdown to Christmas, building excitement throughout the month.