In our guide to advent calendar ideas, we’ll explain what you need and how to create this timeless classic.
Looking for a new craft idea to liven up this Christmas? Advent calendar arts and crafts are a fun way to get into the seasonal spirit. Whether it’s an advent calendar for adults or children, this versatile Christmas craft can be personalised for any member of the family.
When it comes to filling the bags, you don’t have to go overboard with expensive presents - they can range from chocolates to sentimental gifts. There aren’t many rules to creating your advent calendar, other than someone getting to open a small present every day from the first of December!
Here are some ideas for what to put in your advent calendar:
- Small sentimental gifts
- Gift cards
- Winter accessory like gloves and socks
- Small toys
- Chocolate, sweets or biscuits
There are different ways you can make an advent calendar. You can hang numbered stockings around the house, or put numbered presents in or around your Christmas tree. The possibilities are endless!
How about trying a wall hanging advent calendar using rope, paper bags and clothes pegs? Here’s what you need:
- Twine or thin rope – roughly 2 metres (long enough to fit 24 small bags)
- 24 clothes pegs
- 24 small paper gift bags – alternatives are stockings or paper boxes
- 24 number markers – to mark the days of the month.
- All purpose glue – like Loctite Extreme Non-Drip Glue
- Optional decorations for gift bags – glitter, holly sprig, tinsel or other Christmas decoration
Assembling your calendar is simple and fun. Here’s how to do it:
- Decorate your bags or stockings with the numbers 1-24. Use glue where needed to bond the decorations you've chosen.
- Feed the twine through the hinge hole on the clothes pegs. You can also glue the pegs to the twine, but make sure they’re evenly distributed before attaching.
- Tie a small loop at both ends of the twine to hang the ends.
- Attach the twine to the wall at the ends using small nails. You may need an additional support point at the middle of the line.
- Pin the numbered bags to the clothes pegs in numerical order.
- Fill the bags with small gifts for each day of the month.
