25 Best Advent & Christmas Countdown Ideas by Category

From DIY Advent calendars to simple Christmas countdown ideas, you are sure to find the perfect Advent countdown for your family’s interests here.

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I always remember advent season in my home growing up.

My mother hung a house made of fabric on my bedroom door, and each day had a tiny treat or trinket or something special in it. Before bed each night we’d open it together and have a nice chat.

Though small, it felt special and meaningful. Especially because it was a tradition.

Advent and Christmas countdown ideas don’t have to be elaborate or expensive… it’s the thought that counts.

DIY Advent Calendar Ideas

• Paper Sack Clothespin – Gather up 24 small brown paper sacks, some cute or simple clothes pins, and some craft twine. For this idea, I recommend writing a fun family activity in each bag. Something that helps prepare the family for Christmastime or brings togetherness (a scripture to read together, Christmas cards to write, a recipe to bake, etc.) Don’t forget to number your bags.

• Envelope Advent Calendar– Use Christmas craft paper or even used wrapping paper, a wooden clothes hanger, mini clothes pins glue, scissors, and some twine. Use a cut-out like the one Here to cut and glue each unique envelope. Then, use twine and clothes pins to hang in order (or random order) on the hanger. For this one, I put either a funny Christmas joke or an old Christmas family photo in each envelope.

• Mason Jar – Use the Smallest Mason Jars you can find, cut Christmas paper in a circle (use the lid as a form) and decorate each circle to be the lid of each jar. Placing the paper circle instead of the metal lid in the mason jar frame will allow you to “pop” open each jar during your advent countdown. Kid’s love this! Within each jar, place a memorable Christmas token such as photos, candies, figurines, or anything else that goes with your family traditions.

Thoughtful DIY Ideas

• Hanging Buckets of Blessings – All you need for this fantastic decorating and advent countdown idea is some cute Christmas ribbon, some garland (if you wish) and some simple hanging buckets like These. In an archway, doorway, or corner of your living room, hang your Christmas ribbon and garland, and tie little buckets up in order (don’t forget to number them.) In each bucket, write out a thoughtful thing that you can do for someone else. As you plan the days, you can be more in depth with what you plan for the family to do.

• 24 Acts of Kindness – Using a 14″ Circular Frame, twine, and index cards… attach 24 cards around the ring. One one side of the card, write the number to correspond with the day of advent. On the other side of the card, write an act of kindness to be completed that day. If you plan ahead, some acts of kindness can be more substantial such as feeding a family, doing community work, or helping out an elderly neighbor.

Spiritual Advent Calendar Ideas

• The Advent Storybook – This beautifully written and illustrated books includes 25 Biblical Stories telling why Jesus came. It’s a great way to count down Advent with the kids through storytelling.

• Advent Cards – This Advent 🕯️, turn your attention to the only thing permanent in our world today 🎁. Our Advent Cards help you countdown to Christmas 🎄 everyday with a Bible verse. The gorgeous cards will take you on a journey towards the night when Jesus was born, and are a great evening Christmas tradition for your whole family. 

• The Way to the Manger – A Family Advent Devotional that is sure to bring the family together while waiting for Christmas. This 25 day devotional book redirects children to the true meaning of Christmas and the beautiful gift that Jesus came on Christmas Day.

• The Christmas Advent Calendar Coloring Book – This coloring book has simplified verses and tells the countdown story of Christmas in a simple and fun way. A great option for simplicity. You can find it Here.

• Nativity Advent Activity Book – Count down the days until Christmas with lessons, Bible stories, activities, and coloring pages in the Nativity Activity Book– Waiting for Christmas.

Books & Other Media Ideas

• A Book a Day – This popular advent countdown takes some preparation, but it is enjoyable for the whole family. Collect and place the 24 books of your choice in a central location such as table in living room or sand by the Christmas tree. Each day, take the next book on the stack and enjoy as a family (or with the kids). For a special twist, wrap each book with Christmas paper and have the kids unwrap before reading.

• Color a Page a Day Calendar – Great for the parent looking for something simple, yet fun. With this Advent Coloring Book, you get to take one page a day to enjoy. If you’re looking for something totally fun, here is a The Grinch Advent Coloring Book.

• Bite-Size Holiday Lessons – What a cute read! Christmas Cookies is a book perfect for short and enjoyable stories sure to spark your child’s interest. They would be an easy way to incorporate Advent into your daily reading schedule.

• Letter Writing– This is a great way to teach thoughtfulness or thankfulness. Gather the kids around each day, and write a letter to a loved one or friend. You can mix it up by creating a post card or drawing a picture with a “thank you note”. But more importantly, you are teaching appreciation and letter writing skills.

• A Child’s Guide to Advent & Christmas – This book entitled Look, A Child’s Guide… is beautifully illustrated and at a very reasonable price. It includes short stories and poems to teach the true meaning of Christmas.

Sweet Tooth or Candy Ideas

• Mini-Stockings on Garland – I love this idea for decorating your kid’s room or handing someplace festive in the house. First of all, grab up some mini-stockings and number them – Here is a 24 pack. Then, hang them in order where they can easily be seen. All you have left to do is place one piece of candy in each day and count down the days until Christmas.

• Tea Advent Calendar – This calendar can be a DIY with the purchase of some of your favorite teas arranged so that the family can share a cup together daily. Or, you can purchase something like This which has various tea’s laid out for you to try and celebrate. You could also switch it up and Hot Chocolate if the kids like that more.
• Disney’s Frozen 2 Advent Countdown – This super cute countdown reveals a new piece of Frozen 2 character chocolate with each new day of advent.

• Recycled Baby Jar Calendar – I’m always about “up-cycleing” something when possible. For this countdown, use hot glue to arrange empty jars on some sturdy cardboard. You can arrange them in the shape of whatever you want (Christmas tree, simple lines, or even a snowman.) Number the jars and place enough candy in each jar for everyone in the family. Let the countdown begin!

• Reese’s Christmas Countdown Calendar – Talk about excitement! Open up a new flap each day to reveal a recess cup!

• Madeleine Chocolate Advent Calendar – Gourmet chocolate to open each day! It’s a Christmas countdown with large chocolate treats in holiday foils.

Advent Calendars to Purchase

• Cute & Squishy Toy Character Calendar – These Mochi Toys are sure to engage your little one in a fun advent countdown. Set in a Christmas scene, these toys will be fun to unwrap each day.

• Lighted Santa’s Worship – This advent calendar is a spectacular yule-tide scene with 24 surprise drawers. You will use this beautiful piece year after year with a new family tradition.

• Lego Avenger’s Building Calendar – Perfect for Marvel fans or kid’s who love legos. This fun calendar is perfect for a family who loves to build.

• 24 Day Wooden Christmas Tree – Such a cute table topper! Also, a very unique idea to celebrate Advent with the family.

• National Geographic’s Rocks, Mineral, and Fossil Advent Countdown – Just when you think you’ve seen it all. An advent calendar that’s sure to spark your little geologist’s interest.