Kids will be thrilled! A collection of DIY Christmas advent calendar ideas
How about turning the countdown to Christmas into an even more exciting time? If you make your own Advent calendar, the joy of opening each day becomes something special.
Here, we’ll introduce a variety of DIY Advent calendars you can create with 100-yen shop items: box-style and gift-bag types, space-saving board styles, and house-shaped versions made with origami.
These ideas use everyday materials like plastic cups, paper bags, and coffee filters, so they’re perfect for making together with your kids.
Choosing the sweets or messages to tuck inside will also become one of your cherished Christmas memories!
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Kids will be thrilled! Handmade Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas (1–10)
House-shaped Advent calendar
How about making house-shaped Christmas ornaments out of kraft paper? They’re simple and stylish, and if you put candy inside, they become an advent calendar.
First, prepare a house-shaped template and cut the kraft paper.
Next, use a white pen to draw roof patterns, windows, and a door.
Fold it up, apply glue to the tabs, and assemble.
Then punch a hole in the roof and thread a string in your favorite color through it.
Put in your child’s favorite treats, attach another string, and hang it on the Christmas tree.
The window and roof patterns will look cute in a variety of colors, too!
Also works as ornaments! How to make an advent calendar
Let me share an idea for an Advent calendar made with coffee filters that can also double as Christmas ornaments.
First, write the date in the center of a coffee filter and punch a hole at the top.
Put candies or small toys inside, then fold the left and right edges inward and staple them closed.
Make as many as you need in the same way, then thread a string through the holes to hang them up.
Since coffee filters are simple, I recommend adding Christmas stickers or decorating them like ornaments.
Origami Boots Advent Calendar
A Christmas stocking advent calendar is a festive idea that also works as a wall decoration.
Make the stockings with origami and tuck individually wrapped candies into the pocket-like part.
Write the dates with a pen, add holly made from another small piece of origami, and it’s done! The stockings only take a few folds, so even kids can give it a try.
The holly here is made with small origami paper and red round stickers, but you can also draw it or use other stickers.
Making the stockings in several colors will make the display even more vibrant.
Kids will be thrilled! Handmade Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas (11–20)
At-Home Advent Calendar
Here’s how to make a cute house-shaped advent calendar using gift bags! Just decorate the opening of gift bags (available at 100-yen shops) with free printable stickers to create the roof, and you’re done! String them together and hang them on a hanger, and it looks super cute—highly recommended.
You can also have fun customizing the roof by making your own with construction paper or drawing illustrations.
It’s also fun to make the bags themselves, so give it a try!
Advent Calendar File
A fun countdown to Christmas! Here’s how to make a cute book-shaped advent calendar.
First, cut the cover from thick cardstock.
Cut out a window in the middle.
Wrap the cardstock with wrapping paper and glue it down.
Leave about a 1 cm glue margin and trim.
Snip the corners and stick the wrapping paper firmly, then cut the wrapping paper to match the window you cut out in the middle.
On the back, attach a slightly larger piece of wrapping paper, leaving space for the spine.
Imagine the shape of a book.
Attach a piece of clear plastic sheet to the window area and decorate.
To turn it into an advent calendar, glue pocket-shaped envelopes to the inside, and once you put sweets in the pockets, it’s complete!
Advent calendar-style gift box
Have fun with an advent calendar! Here’s how to make a Christmas present box.
First, prepare a large main box that will be the present box.
Then, add small boxes for each day leading up to Christmas.
It’s also fun to find or make small boxes that fit nicely inside the main one.
Fill the small boxes with little items or sweets, and finally decorate the lids however you like—that’s it! It’s enjoyable to spend time thinking about what will delight the person you’re giving it to, so give it a try.
Collage Advent Calendar
It’s fun to make, too! Here’s an introduction to a ticket-style advent calendar.
Materials: flake stickers, construction paper, number stamps or numbers cut from flyers, backing paper for date labels, decorative wrapping paper, double-sided origami paper, wood glue, etc.
First, cut the construction paper into 6 cm-wide strips.
Use a hole punch to punch a half circle between each ticket, then punch holes on the sides.
Add the dates to each ticket.
Number stamps or numbers cut out from flyers are recommended.
Next, tear pieces of origami or wrapping paper to decorate.
If you’re decorating with washi tape, stick it onto the construction paper first and then cut.
Attach a jump ring at the top, and you’re done!