Homemade advent calendar: How to make your own advent calendar

Homemade advent calendars are a treat for the whole family.

Get the family excited in the run up to the big day with this personalised paper homemade advent calendar!

With this homemade advent calendar, you can avoid the chocolatey offerings this Christmas and go for a fabulous paper crafted advent calendar instead!

If you're looking for a diet-friendly or sugar-free advent calendar alternative this festive season then look no further - you can make one of these for yourself, for your other half or your kids, the possibilities are endless.

In them you can really get creative, the goodies you put inside each one can be anything you fancy, include playing cards, sweets, hand written promises, tickets to their favourite concert, a travel game, personalised crosswords, or even a cute Christmas decoration to pop on the tree. You can have so much fun deciding!

And if it's a bit of a dreary day outside, get the kids involved in helping you - paper crafts are safe and easy to do and you only need half an hour to dedicate to these festive makes - it's time to get creative!

You will need:

-Gift wrap and tissue paper -Ribbon/string -Scissors -Sticky tape -24 fun gifts for the family

How to make a homemade advent calendar

Step 1

Take each gift and wrap in different wrapping papers, securing tightly with sticky tape - if you wanted to be up to date with current affairs, why not use newspaper.

Step 2

Next, number each gift with the date it should be opened - why not mix and match the colours for a super stylish edge.

Step 3

Tie with string, leaving a long piece on one side and hang them to a coat hook, banister, door, or branch ready for your loved one to start opening from 1st December!

Homemade advent calendar from high-street shops:

Of course, if you don't quick feel brave enough to make your own homemade advent calendar entirely from scratch, some of our favourite high-street retailers are there to give you a head start.

Hobbycraft

Delight the kids this year with this fun and affordable reindeer cup advent calendar! It comes complete with all the different things you'll need for building an decoration - all you need to do is put it together. Your little ones will have hours of fun sticking pom poms and googly eyes onto their cup reindeers. And when you're finished, simply pop in a treat for each day of December.

SHOP NOW: Buy the Hobbycraft reindeer advent calendar here, £5

The Book People

For a real homemade touch, this felt advent calendar is perfect, and may offer an ideal way for you to wind down at the end of the day! Simply sew together the 24 felt bags that come with this calendar from The Book People, attach them to a festive backing sheet, and watch as your kids bubble over with excitement every morning. The calendar comes with its own plastic needle too, so it's safe for the whole family.

SHOP NOW: Buy The Book People Make Your Own Advent Calendar, £7

Notonthehighstreet

This pick is an eco-friendly option, and means there won't be any plastic rubbish to throw away when Christmas is over. To make it, all you need to do is fill the stickered envelopes with whatever you fancy, and peg them up onto the attached twine. NOTHS recommend you fill them with fun Christmas messages, such as suggestions for festive activities with the kids, or chocolate treats, as per a traditional advent calendar. Whatever you decide, the kids are sure to be thrilled!

SHOP NOW: Buy Not on the High Street Personalised Advent Calendar, £15.95

Will you be giving a homemade advent calendar a go? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know your thoughts!

Craft: Victoria Eggs