Make Advent Calendar Craft

Advent calendars are a fun holiday project.

Learning how to make Advent calendar crafts is easier than you might expect. From simple preschool projects to elaborate designs that coordinate with the rest of your holiday décor, you're sure to find a calendar that fits your needs.

About Advent Calendars

An Advent calendar is a calendar used to count down the days until Christmas. In the Christian church, Advent calendars are used to mark the period of expectant preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

The origin of the Advent calendar can be traced back to Protestant families in the 19th century. Many families would make chalk markings in their homes to note the days of Advent or hang up small pictures to count off each day. By the early 1900s, however, commercially manufactured Advent calendars were available to the general public. Some newspapers would also print calendars at the start of Advent as a holiday gift to their readers.

Today, Advent calendars typically have small doors that can be opened to reveal a seasonal design. Another common variation on the traditional Advent calendar is to include tiny pockets that contain small treats or toys.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of the Advent calendar, Online Advent Calendar Museum has beautiful pictures of vintage calendars for you to enjoy. Reprints of selected designs are also available for purchase.

Make Advent Calendar Crafts for Kids

If you're looking for quick and easy Advent calendars that your children can create, LoveToKnow Crafts suggests visiting the following helpful resources:

Printable Advent Calendar: Domestic Goddess has a free printable Advent calendar that you can quickly assemble with your children.
Advent Wreath: This printable Advent wreath features one leaf for each day of the Christmas season.
Santa's Beard Advent Calendar: Preschoolers will love adding cotton balls to this simple Advent calendar project.
Advent Christmas Tree: Make a calendar that features colorful ornaments for each day of Advent.
Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar: This clever calendar will appeal to both the young and the young at heart.

Advent Calendar Crafts for Adults

If you'd like to make an Advent calendar that's sure to become a treasured family keepsake, consider completing one of the following great projects:

3D Advent Calendar: Using a blank calendar from Karen Foster Design, you can create a customized holiday work of art.
Felt Advent Calendar: This beautiful calendar consists of a garland made of red and white felt pouches connect with fabric bows. Each pouch contains a chocolate treat and a paper charm to hang from the clasp in order to count down the days until Christmas.
Cookie Sheet Advent Calendar: Scrapbookers, card makers, and other paper crafters will find they already have most of the supplies they need to make this pretty magnetic Advent calendar.
Tin Advent Calendar: Metal tins attached to a decorated canvas make for a pretty calendar that can be customized to match any style of holiday home décor.
Advent Blocks: While this project is a bit time-consuming, it's a great way to showcase the true reason for your Christmas celebration.
Painted Calendar: This painted Advent calendar would be a wonderful addition to a Victorian-themed Christmas celebration.
Sewn Christmas Tree Calendar: Use your favorite holiday fabrics to stitch up this beautiful calendar.
Recycled Tin Calendar: Recycle old snack tins to create an Earth-friendly Advent calendar.

Hobby Lobby, Michaels Crafts, Joann Crafts and other craft supply retailers typically carry a large selection of Advent calendar craft kits during the holiday season. Kits make it easy to make Advent calendar crafts, since all the supplies and directions are included in one convenient package. To save money, check your local newspaper for sales and coupons before making your purchase.