Advent calendars have been around since the early 1900’s, and if you’re over the conventional calendar and its bland chocolate discs, we’re here with 8 new ideas on how to countdown to Christmas! Because advent calendars that offer more than chocolate are way better! Choose from the charitable reverse advent calendar or get your craft paper out and whip up our super simple DIY advent calendar filled with 24 jokes.
One of the ways our family counts the days till Christmas Day (besides my kids asking hourly “How many days till Christmas, again?”, is with an Advent Calendar.
Awesome Advent Calendars Kids and Parents Love
my kindness calendar
The reusable My Kindness Calendar Christmas tree and daily acts of kindness stickers are both adorable and durable. Each morning the kids work together (which is a miracle in itself!) to decide what our act of kindness will be, then they think about who would benefit the most from their kindness. It’s been so heart-warming to see them doing for others who need it. We use it year after year.
a Story book advent calendar
A few years ago, I was feeling both educational and frugal, so I made my kids a Book-A-Day Advent Calendar like this one. I know what you’re thinking 24+ books is not a frugal idea! But I was able to score some great deals at Salvation Army, Value Village, Once Upon a Child, hand-me-downs from friends, and my kids’ classroom Scholastic order. Plus, I’ve got those same books out again every Christmas, so the cost-per-use is pretty low, and books are a great investment!
Reverse Advent Calendar
And if you’re like me, and working towards less stuff and more compassion, try this idea for a Reverse Advent Calendar. Each day, you add an item to donate to the basket, and at the end of your countdown, you have less stuff in your house, and a charity or local food bank reaps the rewards. Love that!
gingerbread advent calendar
End the year on a sweet note with this beautiful and delicious, totally edible, Gingerbread Advent Calendar! Customizable with a name or names at the top, this yummy hand-crafted calendar offers enough cookies for sharing, or not. We don’t judge- but, remember, Santa is always watching!
Build With The Lego Advent Calendar
Lego calendars have been all the rage for the last few years, but don’t think you have to buy one when you can DIY one just like this impressive build! This would be a great project for the older Lego lover in your house, and the kids will love it just as much! Image credit.
laugh along with a joke-a-day advent calendar
Counting down to Christmas doesn’t have to mean 24+ days of MORE STUFF. This Joke Calendar is just the right way to start off your day – with giggles and groans! This is one of our favourite diy advent calendar ideas because it’s just so simple. Send your kid off to school with a new joke for their friends every day!
Countdown To Christmas Calendar
These little packs can be filled with stufed with advent calendar fillers such as coins and trinkets or special notes and activities. If you still love the sweet delight of chocolatey advent calendars, don’t fret! You can customize the sweet treats in your calendar with an easy-to-replicate brown paper bag version!
A Christmas movie-a-day countdown
Max and relax as you countdown to Christmas with Movie-A-Day advent calendars! My kids love nothing more than to know there’s time for TV after dinner! Let the kids choose the movie (and clear the table while you get it set up!) It’s less structured, less pressure on parents, and just ,may be a new holiday tradition for your family.
learn the story of Christmas
This free, printable Christmas Story is the perfect way to learn or remember the story of Christmas. Print it, and hang it, and each day, learn a little bit more about the origin of Christmas.
If you’re wondering where and how Advent Calendars came to be, this article does a good job of giving you the facts and timeline. And be sure to check out our Pinterest Board with dozens more ideas on how to countdown to Christmas, including more advent calendars that aren’t chocolate!
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