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 Love It! Handmade Ideas for Christmas Advent Calendars (31–40)
Using small gift envelopes (pochibukuro) and stickers
Let’s make an advent calendar using small gift envelopes (puchi-bukuro) from the 100-yen shop.
It’s very easy, so try making it with your child if you’d like.
We’ll decorate the envelopes using things like origami paper, stickers, and washi tape.
Buy simple plain envelopes and decorate them cutely in your own style.
Once you’re done decorating, put a date sticker on each one.
Place some candy or other treats inside, hang them on twine or similar, and you’re done! Take one down each day until Christmas and enjoy!
Advent card
Advent calendars are often the box type, but this one is a card type.
You make the cards using Christmas-themed stickers, memo paper, and masking tape you can find at 100-yen shops and the like.
The stickers are collaged, so try finding stickers you like, spark your imagination, and give it a try.
Once the cards are ready, put them in envelopes and write the dates on them.
It’s exciting to see which card comes out each day.
If you’re giving it to a child, they might be delighted if you tuck in a little treat as well.
Using a wall pocket
A wall pocket that’s great for organizing letters and medication.
It can actually be used as an advent calendar, too! Just put sweets into envelopes or bags, seal them, stick on date labels, and pop them into the wall pocket.
Since wall pockets can be hung, they won’t get in the way—another nice perk.
You can buy a transparent wall pocket to show off the patterns on the envelopes or bags, or decorate the wall pocket itself with stickers and more.
Think up a Christmas-themed design and have fun decorating!
Made with origami
An Advent calendar made of numbered origami boxes lined up, with their dimensional look as part of the charm.
Each box has an attached lid, so you can open them without deforming the shape and easily keep them as a memento.
You’re free to choose any colors for the inner boxes, but make the lids in Christmas colors like red or green to emphasize a festive atmosphere.
Boxes alone can look a bit simple, so it’s recommended to add liveliness through decorations—such as writing the numbers alongside illustrations.
three-dimensional tree type
Let’s try making a standout 3D tree-shaped advent calendar that will look lovely even in your entryway.
The finished look is like stacking small boxes to form a tall, slender pyramid.
Use mostly green boxes with a touch of red to get a more Christmassy feel.
Decorate with things like cotton “snow” and Santa figurines.
If you have a Christmas tree at home, you can also tie the small boxes directly onto the tree.
It’s a great activity for the whole family, and you can even do a mini gift exchange!
Kids Will Be Thrilled! A Collection of DIY Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas (41–50)
Using a shipping tag
Here’s an idea for making an advent calendar using shipping tags.
Decorate the tags with stamps or other designs to make them cute.
Make small bags from origami paper, punch holes in them, then thread them together with the tags using jute twine and tie them.
And that’s your advent calendar done! If you don’t have stamps, stickers work well too.
Since shipping tags are often white, you can keep it monochrome for a chic look, or go colorful—the atmosphere can change a lot depending on your ideas!
Advent calendar you can send
Introducing a “mailable advent calendar” you can make using boxes commonly used for online flea market and auction shipping.
First, prepare a mailing box—you can usually buy one at 100-yen shops.
Next, put 24 small gifts into paper bags.
Make the paper bags using origami paper, chiyogami, or pretty wrapping paper.
Don’t forget to label the bags with the dates from the 1st to the 24th.
Then, using double-sided tape, attach them inside the box in reverse date order—and you’re done.
The thrill of opening a bag every day lasts all the way until Christmas! You’ve just got to make one!