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

Do you want to make a loved one happy in the run-up to Christmas and fill an Advent calendar yourself , but are having trouble finding 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 in the run-up to Christmas.

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 Advent calendars, which are used in December to shorten the time until Christmas. Advent calendars originated in Germany in the 19th century . To count the days until Christmas, families marked the days 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 people's faces during the pre-Christmas period.

Homemade Advent calendars - a personal gift

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 very personal treat in the run-up to Christmas and fill an Advent calendar themselves . This way, the contents of the 24 doors are a perfect fit for the recipient. But finding 24 little Advent calendar surprises isn't all that easy. We'll give you a few tips on how to find creative gifts to fill your personal Advent calendar.

The early bird fills the Advent calendar: Plan in time

If you want to fill an Advent calendar yourself, timely planning is key. Nothing is more stressful than setting out on November 30th to find 24 gifts at short notice. So ask yourself the following questions in advance:

What little surprises could I offer to please the recipient? Does he or she perhaps have particular hobbies that could inspire me with gift ideas? What is my budget for a DIY Advent calendar? Do I want to make the calendar myself, or should I use pre-made gift bags, for example? This, in turn, will determine how large the individual gifts should be. Our tip: Start keeping your eyes open for small gifts weeks or months in advance. This will make your gift search easier, and you might even find little special items for the Advent calendar that you wouldn't have noticed just a moment ago.

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

Even if you know best what the person you're giving the Advent calendar to likes, a little inspiration is never a bad idea. 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, as we all know, the greatest joy! We all know how it is: Children, especially, can hardly wait to open a door on the Advent calendar every morning. 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 a favorite treat – there are countless ways to bring joy to children during Advent. Is there a test coming up in December? Then 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 also always fun for the little ones.

An Advent calendar is also a great way to introduce children to nature—even in winter. With food balls for wild birds or peanut wreaths , they learn to do something good for other creatures and thus do their part to protect our natural world. Small meals for hedgehogs , birds , or squirrels delight not only the animals but also children. Colorful flower marbles heighten anticipation of the vibrant floral wonders of next spring and summer.

Filling Advent calendars for adults: Gift ideas that come from the heart

Adults also enjoy a homemade Advent calendar during Advent – ​​especially when it comes from the heart and the gifts are chosen to suit each person. Whether it's an Advent calendar for women or an Advent calendar for men – depending on what the recipient likes, small gifts like scented candles, bath bombs, homemade cookies, seeds , tea or cozy socks are suitable. Since the best gift is known to be time, you can use our wish-fulfilling gifts to invite people to a mulled wine at the Christmas market or a home-cooked dinner. Lucky charms or emotional charms from a favorite person also express love and appreciation for the other person and make for a wonderful surprise in your homemade Advent calendar.

If you're looking for something unusual for your homemade Advent calendar, why not give a growing kit for milk chocolate flowers or a gingerbread tree with the wonderful scent 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 hobby gardeners and garden professionals

Does the person you're giving a gift to love spending time outdoors, in the garden, or on the balcony? Then fill your DIY Advent calendar with little things for nature lovers! With seeds for flowers, fruit, or vegetables like marigolds , physalis , or chilies, you'll delight (hobby) gardeners and lay the foundation for the next planting season. If you want something special, surprise them with a 2030 Christmas tree or a gingerbread tree in the Advent calendar.

Anyone who loves nature will also appreciate a flower sponsorship , bee-friendly seed bombs , and food dumplings for wild birds . Our ready-made Advent calendars in sets of 6 or 3 are also practical. Other ideas include vouchers for a picnic in the countryside or a hike in nature. A seed Advent calendar with 24 different seed packets is also a great idea for passionate gardeners.

Make your own Advent calendar: Inspiration for DIY calendars

Would you like to make your own Advent calendar for a loved one? Depending on your time and budget, there are many individual ideas that vary in complexity and cost. A classic is wrapping the gifts in fabric bags, kraft paper bags, or wrapping paper, which you then hang or display. A hanging basket or planter , for example, is particularly suitable for this, as it can be reused later.

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 the jar with a glass painter or attach them to the jar with a gift tag. In the Card Making Magazine, you'll find these and many other DIY Advent calendar ideas. As you can see, the ideas are diverse and can be implemented in a variety of ways. String, wrapping paper, or old glass jars are a great place to start crafting and create 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 create an authentic and unique look.

DIY Advent calendar vs. store-bought Advent calendar

If you take the time to make your own Advent calendar, you'll really score points with your personality. Your calendar will be a unique creation that your loved ones are sure to appreciate. However, the preparation can be very time-consuming. A store-bought Advent calendar that you can fill yourself can be significantly more expensive, but less time-consuming than a homemade calendar. Here, too, you can give the Advent calendar 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. This will make some compromises in terms of personality, but it will save you a lot of time - which is also an option in stressful times - as long as the contents suit the person you want to surprise with the Advent calendar.

Filling your own Advent calendar: Conclusion

Let's summarize: A self-filled Advent calendar offers a wonderful way to give personal joy in the run-up to Christmas. With creative gifts that are a perfect fit for the recipient, you can personalize the 24 doors. Planning ahead makes the gift hunt easier and avoids stress just before Advent. Whether you make it yourself or buy it and fill it yourself, this calendar will delight your loved ones. It's the perfect way to celebrate the anticipation of Christmas!