Advent calendars may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I grew up on ways to count down to Christmas. My dad calls me his “snow baby” despite being born in August because I LOVE Christmas and winter because of the snow.  As a kid, I was rather crafty and loved any reason to make Christmas decorations, and advent calendars happen to still be a favorite craft of mine. I even read a post earlier in which a man proposed by using an advent calendar which is one of the cutest things ever.

I believe making an advent calendar is a great way to show someone special to you that you love and care about them. A homemade advent calendar not only takes a lot of patience but thought and love as well. If you do it right, it can be one of the most romantic gestures because you really have to know the person.  It is also something you have to make and think about way ahead of time because the gifts start on the first of December. 

Some of the oldest advent calendars to date are simply chalk marks on the back of a door according to my dad. This eventually progressed to clocks and candles and soon enough the pictures and wooden masterpieces we see today. An advent calendar doesn’t have to be expensive though, it can just be a letter or an act of kindness every day.  This type may be cherished more deeply than items depending on the kind of person, I know I would love to receive a little letter every day or merely a note telling me why I’m special to that person.

Let’s start this off with the advent calendar itself, here are some ideas that vary in price that all are very cute and thoughtful:

These are all adorable and easy to make with the exception of the white box advent calendar from Amazon Fashion EU. There are kits sold that help you to build an advent calendar such as the white one and even more extravagant versions such as mansions.

Items to Put Within 

The advent calendar itself is not the most important part, its what you put in the calendar that matters. I believe that anything personal or memorable is the way to go, but that’s not saying you can’t just make an advent calendar for a friend for fun. Since there are a few different ways an reasons to create an advent calendar, I figured I would share with you a few ways to fill your advent calendar starting with something personal. 

 Personal Ideas

• Letters
• Notes (there is a difference)
• Pictures
• An ornament
• Charms for a charm bracelet
• Scrapbook 
• Experiences (leave a note or a ticket saying what you are doing)
• A keepsake or a memory from old times (ex: Ticket from a concert you went to, a vacation you went on)

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Normal/ Gift Based

• Chocolate
• Flowers
• Sunglasses 
• Wallet
• Purse
• Perfume
• Shoes
• Earrings
• Bracelet
• Book
• Clothes
• Watch
• Wine
• Home Decor Items
• Bath items (fancy soap, bath bombs, moisturizers)

Themed Calendar

Maybe you want to give you calendar a theme, this can be especially good if you are worried about what to get someone because having a theme narrows down your options.

• Love/Romantic/ Proposal or Anniversary
• Wine 
• Makeup
• Beauty 
• Chocolate 
• Coffee
• Jewelry 
• Memories
• Letter/Notes/Pictures

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The possibilities for an advent calendar are endless, I could go on for days about ways to make an advent calendar, themes, and what to put in the calendar. Just remember it’s not all about the money, you can spend a ridiculous amount of money over 25 days, and it still has the possibility of not meaning anything.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

~Madison Eran~