Store-bought advent calendars can be expensive, and what’s behind the little doors doesn’t always feel worth it. A homemade version costs very little, uses things you probably already have and lets you decide exactly what goes inside. It’s also a great weekend project to do with kids. Here’s how to make a simple, reusable advent calendar in an afternoon.

Pick your format

There are three easy approaches, depending on what you have on hand:

  • Small boxes, such as matchbox-style boxes, jewelry boxes or folded paper boxes, arranged on a tray or shelf.
  • Paper bags or envelopes clipped to a string or a branch with mini clothespins.
  • Cardboard tubes from paper towels or wrapping paper, cut into short sections and closed at both ends with paper.

Decide how many days you want. The traditional calendar runs from December 1 to December 24, but a 12-day version is perfectly fine and much quicker to make.

What you’ll need

  • 12 to 24 small containers (boxes, bags, envelopes or tube sections).
  • Brown kraft paper, leftover wrapping paper or plain paper for covering.
  • Twine, ribbon or string.
  • Tape or a glue stick.
  • A marker, stickers or stamps for numbers.
  • Optional: a sturdy branch, a dowel, a corkboard or a wooden tray for display.

Step 1: Prep the containers

Collect and clean your boxes or tubes. If you’re using tubes, cut them into sections about 3 to 4 inches long. Fold one end closed or cover it with a circle of paper and tape. For paper bags, fold the tops over once so they look neat when filled.

Step 2: Wrap and number

Cover each container with kraft paper or wrapping paper. Plain brown paper with red or white numbers gives a classic, rustic look. Mixed patterns feel more playful. Write or stamp a number on each one. If kids are helping, let them decorate a few with drawings or stickers.

Step 3: Fill them up

Here’s the fun part. Small, flat or light items work best. Ideas include:

  • Wrapped candies or chocolates.
  • Small notes with jokes, riddles or compliments.
  • Tiny toys, stickers or hair clips.
  • Coupons for activities, such as “movie night,” “pick dinner” or “bake cookies together.”
  • Ornaments to hang on the tree one at a time.

Activity coupons are a great way to keep costs down and make the calendar feel special. They also cut down on clutter.

Step 4: Close and display

Tape or tie each container closed. Then choose how to display them:

  • Hang envelopes or bags from a branch or a length of twine across a wall with clothespins.
  • Line up boxes on a tray in rows by number, or stack them into a little tower.
  • Pin envelopes to a corkboard in a grid.

Put the calendar somewhere visible but out of reach of very young children or pets, especially if it contains candy.

Make it last for years

If you’d like to reuse your calendar, choose sturdier containers such as small tins, fabric pouches or wooden boxes, and use ribbon instead of tape. Number them with paint or stickers that won’t come off. Each year, you only need to refill it.

Safety notes

Keep small parts away from toddlers, as tiny toys and candies can be choking hazards. If you hang the calendar on a wall, make sure the hooks can hold the weight, and avoid placing paper decorations near candles, heaters or fireplaces.

The finishing touch

Add a small card on December 1 explaining the “rules,” such as one door a day, and maybe a final bigger surprise on the last day. A homemade advent calendar isn’t just cheaper; it turns the countdown into a little family tradition you can repeat every year.

Image: Holiday Paper Gift Wrapping (Unsplash) by Nathan Lemon processrepeat via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0