DIY Lego Advent Calendar

The Lego Advent Calendar is always popular, but can be hard to find or expensive to buy when people scoop them up and resell them.  But now you can make a Lego Christmas tree countdown calendar all on your own.

DIY Lego Advent Calendar from Willowday

DIY Piñata Advent Calendar

DIY Piñata Advent Calendar from Sarah Schmutz

Favorite Christmas Books [Christmas Stories]

Christmas Book Advent from Funky Polkadot Giraffe

Printable Advent Calendar

Printable Advent Calendar from DecoIdeas

DIY Chocolate Advent Calendar

Chocolate Advent Calendar from Somewhat Simple

Santa Beard Advent Calendar

Printable Santa Advent Calendar from Inviting Printables

Giant Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

Giant Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

Halloween Candy Christmas Advent Calendar

Candy Christmas Advent Calendar from Giver's Log

Punch Board Advent Calendar

Punch Board Advent Calendar from You Are My Fave

DIy Advent Calendar Pillow [Ballard Designs]

DIY Advent Pillow Inspired By Ballard Designs

Snowman Christmas Countdown Calendar

Snowman Advent Garland from WhiMSy Love

Christmas Book Advent

So the best part about a Christmas advent is that if you don't get it done before December starts, you can always just use it for the 12 days of Christmas and that gives you a couple extra weeks to get it done.

Which is really handy when you find a cute idea like this Christmas Book Advent from Funky Polkadot Giraffe:

She wraps up a Christmas book for each day and they choose one to unwrap and then read it together.  I am going to dig out our Christmas books from the bookshelf and then head to the bookstore to see if I can get enough for the 12 days of Christmas.

Matchbox Advent Calendar

I am in love with this matchbox advent calendar from Martha Stewart:

I think it would be so fun to let the kids have next to their beds and I can leave them cute little notes fore each day of the month!

I will have to see if I can find 96 little match boxes at the store!

Flashcard Advent Calendar

I don't know about you, but this year we are excited to get the Christmas decorations out.  I am planning on the traditional day after Thanksgiving decorating activities.

I have a couple of advent calendars that we use every year, but I think I might make one that is a countdown for when we leave for Arizona.  I like this idea from Country Living and I think I might have all of the materials already, which is a big plus:

And I love the little ornaments that are hanging from each flashcard.  The kids can take them off each day and hang them on the tree.

Do you have an advent calendar that you traditionally use or do you like to create something different each year?

Snowflake Advent

You only have a few more days to make a Christmas countdown calendar or Advent before December hits, so if you are still looking for ideas I love this idea from Maya*Made:

The fun festive winter colors could be used for other winter holidays and celebrations too.  I am going to make one that counts down to Christmas break!

Magnetic Advent Calendar

I love this magnetic advent calendar from Twig and Thistle:

And I love it ten times more when you make it look like a Christmas tree:

Grinch Advent Calendar

Chica and Jo used an over the door shoe organizer to make this Grinch Advent calendar:

Brilliant!  Who knew that a shoe organizer had 24 pockets!  And Thanksgiving happens to be on the 25th this year too.

Lollipop Tree Advent Calendar

I absolutely do not want my children eating these lollipops on a daily basis, but this tree is so cute that I might have to have to torture them by making them look at the beautiful lollipops and never eat them:

image from Garnet Hill

Maybe add one every day instead of take one down.  Or just make it a lollipop tree and not an advent calendar.

as seen on OhDeeDoh

Chaising Fireflies Advents

There are two advent calendars from Chasing Fireflies that I think are adorable beyond words. First is this one where you dress the doll as the days go by:

Such a cute idea, but I don't think my daughter would be able to wait to finish it. The doll would be dressed the first day.

And the second is Santa and his reindeer pulling all the presents with his sleigh:

Each of his presents holds a treat for you to enjoy.

Both fun, both way too cute, and both decently easy to replicate if you are crafty enough.

Paper Tree Advent

Tomorrow is December 1st. I am trying to find a way to balance finding Christmas spirit without dragging out all of the Christmas decorations that will be moved to our new house in four weeks.

I think we will make this advent calendar from Make and Takes tonight:

It is cute, the kids will love it, and we won't have to pack it up when it is time to go!

If you are looking for a last minute Christmas countdown, this might just be the one for you too!