Fill your own advent calendar: Ideas and tips for 24 creative doors

Do you want to bring joy to a loved one during the Advent season and fill an Advent calendar yourself , but are finding it difficult to find 24 little surprises to fill each door with? We've compiled some unique ideas for filling your Advent calendar that are guaranteed to bring little moments of joy during the Advent season.

Where does the tradition of Advent calendars actually come from?

The rich history of the Christmas season has given rise to many customs. One of these is the Advent calendar, which shortens the time until Christmas in December. Advent calendars originated in 19th-century Germany. To count the days until Christmas, families marked them by lighting candles or drawing lines. In the 20th century, printed calendars with little doors became popular. Today, Advent calendars can be found in many parts of the world, where they bring a smile to many faces during the Advent season.

Homemade Advent calendars - A personal token of appreciation

These days, there are advent calendars for every taste: whether chocolate, cosmetics, seeds, toys, or socks – there's practically nothing you can't find. But many people want to give their loved ones a truly personal treat during the Advent season and fill an advent calendar themselves . This way, the contents of the 24 doors are perfectly tailored to the recipient. However, finding 24 little advent calendar surprises isn't always easy. We'll give you a few tips on how to find creative gifts to fill your own personal advent calendar.

The early bird fills the Advent calendar: Plan ahead!

If you want to fill your own advent calendar, timely planning is essential. Nothing is more stressful than rushing out on November 30th to find 24 gifts at short notice. So ask yourself the following questions beforehand:

What little surprises could I give the recipient? Do they have any hobbies that might inspire gift ideas? What's my budget for a homemade advent calendar? Do I want to make the calendar myself, or would I use pre-made bags, for example? This will also determine the size of the individual gifts. Our tip: Start looking for small gifts weeks or even months in advance. This will make your gift search easier, and you might even find some special little things for the advent calendar that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

Fill your own advent calendar: Advent calendar ideas for children, adults and nature lovers

Even if you know best what the person you want to give the advent calendar to likes, a little inspiration never hurts. That's why we've compiled a few advent calendar ideas for adults, children, and nature lovers below.

Filling an Advent calendar for children: Inspiration for your DIY calendar

Anticipation is known to be the greatest joy! We all know how it is: children, in particular, can hardly wait to open a door on their Advent calendar each morning during Advent. There's no one better to celebrate the wait for Christmas with than children.

Whether it's pens, funny socks, cookie cutters, miniature board games, or their favorite treat – there are countless ways to bring joy to children during Advent. Is there a test coming up in December? Then why not give them a lucky charm on the day of the exam? Non-material gifts like gift certificates are also a great idea. How about a movie night with popcorn, a trip to the ice cream parlor, or a sleepover in the living room? Baking cookies together is always fun for little ones, too.

An Advent calendar is also a wonderful way to introduce children to nature – even in winter. With suet balls for wild birds or peanut wreaths , they learn to do something good for other creatures and thus contribute to protecting our natural world. The small meals for hedgehogs , birds , or squirrels delight not only wildlife but also children. Colorful flower marbles heighten the anticipation of the vibrant floral wonders of next spring and summer.

DIY Advent calendar ideas for adults: Gift ideas that come from the heart

Even adults appreciate a homemade advent calendar during Advent – ​​especially if it's heartfelt and the gifts are chosen to suit the recipient. Whether it's an advent calendar for women or men , depending on the recipient's preferences, small items like scented candles, bath bombs, homemade cookies, seeds , tea, or cozy socks are perfect. Since the most precious gift is time, you could use our "wish-fulfillers" to treat them to mulled wine at the Christmas market or a home-cooked dinner.Lucky charms or trinkets representing a loved one also express love and appreciation and make for a wonderful surprise in your homemade advent calendar.

If you're looking for something special for your homemade advent calendar, why not give a growing kit for milk chocolate flowers or for a gingerbread tree that smells wonderfully of cinnamon and gingerbread? This unique gift is guaranteed to be a pleasant surprise – and the recipient will enjoy it for a long time.

Advent calendar for nature lovers: Ideas for amateur gardeners and gardening professionals

Does the recipient love spending time outdoors, in the garden, or on the balcony? Then fill your DIY advent calendar with little gifts for nature lovers! Seeds for flowers, fruits, or vegetables like marigolds , physalis , or chili peppers will delight (hobby) gardeners and lay the foundation for the next planting season. For something truly special, surprise them with a Christmas tree (2030) or a gingerbread tree in the advent calendar.

Nature lovers will also appreciate a wildflower sponsorship , bee-friendly seed bombs , and suet balls for wild birds . Our pre-assembled advent calendars in sets of six or three are also very practical. Other ideas include vouchers for a picnic in the countryside or a hike in nature. A seed advent calendar with 24 different packets is also a lovely idea for passionate gardeners.

DIY Advent Calendar Ideas: Inspiration for DIY Calendars

Want to make your own advent calendar for a loved one? Depending on your time and budget, there are many individual ideas, varying in complexity and cost. A classic approach is to wrap gifts in fabric bags, kraft paper bags, or wrapping paper, which you then hang up or display. Hanging planters or planters are particularly well-suited for this, as they can be reused afterward.

Or how about an upcycled advent calendar made from screw-top jars? You can paint or decorate the jars and then write the numbers on them with a glass marker or attach them with a gift tag. In the Kartenmacherei magazine, you'll find this and many more DIY advent calendar ideas. As you can see, the ideas are diverse and can be adapted to your individual needs. Twine, wrapping paper, or old jars are a great starting point for crafting and creating your own unique work of art. Want to make a nature-inspired advent calendar? Then fir branches, pine cones, dried flowers, and other natural items will give it an authentic and personal look.

DIY advent calendar vs. store-bought advent calendar

If you take the time to make your own advent calendar, you'll score points primarily with your personality. Your calendar will be a unique creation that your loved ones are guaranteed to appreciate. However, the preparation can be quite involved. A store-bought advent calendar that you fill yourself can be significantly more expensive, but it's also less time-consuming than a homemade one. Even with a homemade calendar, you can add a personal touch by tailoring the contents to your loved one. Another option, of course, is a store-bought advent calendar that you don't have to make or fill. While this option lacks a personal touch, it saves a lot of time – making it a viable option during busy periods – provided, of course, that the contents are appropriate for the person you want to surprise.

Filling your own advent calendar: Conclusion

Let's recap: A homemade advent calendar offers a wonderful way to spread personal joy during the Advent season. With creative gifts that are a perfect fit for the recipient, you can personalize each of the 24 doors. Planning ahead makes gift-giving easier and avoids last-minute stress. Whether homemade or purchased and filled, the calendar is sure to delight your loved ones. It's the perfect way to celebrate the anticipation of Christmas!