10 Best DIY Advent Calendars

I love an advent calendar that gives a small surprise each day. It really makes the season feel special, and sates, temporarily, the growing hunger for presents. If you don't want to give small toys or candy, try a joke written on a slip of paper, or a coupon for something ephemeral, such as, "you choose the next family movie," or "it's time to decorate cookies!" These ten DIY advent calendars are the best (IMHO) I've found online. They are in no particular order. As you will see, none require a tremendous amount of time, money, or skill.
(Want to make a traditional, all-paper advent calendar with windows to open? There's a template for that, thanks to the wonderful Small Object.)
​Let's count 'em up!

1. The Sweet Escape created this modern felt advent. Each colorful diamond actually has a pocket on the back where you can hide small treats. I love the combo of the earthy, rough-barked branch and the vibrant felt. 

2. I actually have enough toilet paper tubes (or, as Mamas Kram would call them, toiletten papier rollen) to make this right now. They are just so useful for craft-making. I love that they're allowed to stay their natural color, here.

3. ​Pink Suede Shoe's advent calendar is a forest of evergreens, each one hiding a gift inside. Lovely!

4. This clever count-down can be used year after year. It's simply a shoe organizer with a few crafty additions. The pockets are plenty big enough for some fun surprises! 

5. Ever seen the Price is Right game where the contestant gets to punch through paper to find out what she's won? You Are My Fave came up with this advent calendar version! So much fun. 

6. These are a few of my favorite things: random bags and packages, tied up with string to a hanging branch. The idea is from La Petite Cuisine, and it's in German, but it's pretty clear how it's made.  Simple, cheerful, warm — I love it. 

7. This might be my first Martha Stewart craft in a round-up. Sometimes she is just too good to pass up. This calendar is made of a stack of matchboxes. When each "drawer" is pulled out, flipped around, and put back, it helps complete a picture. Clever, Martha!

8. What's this? More toilet paper tubes! This time they form the hollow, goodie-filled bodies of two dozen Nordic elves. This is another reuseable calendar, which makes the effort even more worth your while.

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9. I dig these paper envelopes from A Beautiful Mess. They're sewn together, but you could use staples instead. I love how it's a cheerful jumble of patterns and colors. 

10. If you already have a big enough jar for this, it may be the quickest advent calendar of the bunch. Simply wrap each item in white paper and seal with colorful washi tape. Silly Old Suitcase (which is in Dutch, and worth translating) has two other advent ideas accompanying this one, so be sure to click on over.  

Enjoy these numbered days! 
​xo