I still remember the year I tried my very first advent calendar. It wasn’t anything fancy, just little envelopes with handwritten notes tucked inside. But every morning, opening one felt like a gift—not because of what was inside, but because of the anticipation it carried. That’s what I think makes advent calendars so special. They slow us down, one day at a time, and remind us that Christmas isn’t meant to be rushed.
Now, I know the struggle—sometimes the season feels more chaotic than holy. Between shopping lists, church programs, and family gatherings, it’s easy to forget those little pauses. But that’s where styling a holiday advent calendar comes in. Done thoughtfully, it can be both beautiful and meaningful. You’ll find it creates a rhythm of joy in your home. Stick with me, and I’ll share ways to make yours something you’ll look forward to each day.
Holiday Advent Calendar Styling
Envelope Wall Display
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One year, I used small kraft envelopes pinned neatly across a wall in the fellowship hall. Each envelope held a verse or a little prayer, and families would gather to open them day by day. It turned into more than just a calendar; it became a way of drawing closer to Scripture together. I remember watching the children eagerly run to open the next one—it gave them such a sense of ownership and joy. The beauty of this style is in its simplicity. You don’t need expensive supplies, just envelopes, pins, and a bit of love poured in.
Advent Calendar with Hanging Pouches
One year I stitched little fabric pouches and hung them on a branch I found in the backyard. It wasn’t fancy, but every pouch held something small—a chocolate, a prayer card, sometimes just a sweet note. The kids loved untying the strings each morning. What I loved most was how simple it was to set up. In my opinion, there’s something humble yet beautiful about seeing those little pouches swaying gently in the air. It feels like waiting in motion, like the season itself is alive.
Chalkboard Countdown Advent Calendar
I once painted an old chalkboard and turned it into an advent countdown. Each day, we wrote a short verse or a simple act of kindness for the day. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be such a hit, but my family really embraced it. The chalk dust got on our hands, but we didn’t mind. It became a living calendar, something we interacted with daily. I found that even the smallest reminder scribbled in chalk carried deep meaning during Advent.
Advent Calendar with Wrapped Surprises
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There’s a certain joy in wrapping tiny gifts, even if they’re simple things like a bookmark or a cookie. I remember placing 24 little wrapped bundles in a basket one year. The children didn’t care what was inside—they just loved the surprise of tearing open a new one each morning. To be fair, it took me some time to prepare, but the excitement on their faces was worth every bit. The anticipation mirrored the waiting of Advent itself, which is what made it so special for me.
Scripture-Filled Advent Calendar
I once dedicated a whole Advent calendar to scripture alone. Each day had a verse tucked inside a little envelope. We read them together at breakfast, sometimes discussing them, sometimes just letting them linger in our hearts. It grounded the season, reminding us daily why we celebrate. In my opinion, this kind of calendar doesn’t just mark time—it shapes the spirit of the days. It’s a quiet but powerful way of keeping Christ at the center of the waiting.
Wooden Crate Advent Calendar
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I found an old wooden crate at a flea market and thought, “why not turn it into something meaningful?” I divided it into little compartments and placed small tokens or slips of paper with prayers. Honestly, I didn’t think it would look so lovely, but it did. The rustic feel reminded me of the manger itself. Every time someone pulled something out, it felt like we were drawing closer to that humble stable in Bethlehem
Wooden Crate Countdown
I once set up a wooden crate filled with numbered bags, each one tied with twine. It looked rustic, almost like something you’d find in a country chapel, and that’s what made it special. Every morning, someone from the family would reach in and pick out the bag for the day. Sometimes it held a treat, other times a note of encouragement. It was a reminder that small surprises carry deep joy. To me, this style feels grounded, humble, and fitting for a season meant to prepare our hearts, not just our homes.
Hanging Stocking Line
I stretched a simple string across the fireplace and clipped twenty-four tiny stockings on it. Each was different—some knitted, some stitched, others bought at a local fair. Filling them became a family project, and we often tucked in little acts of kindness written on paper. What struck me most was how it shifted the focus away from just sweets or gifts. The stockings themselves became a conversation starter with guests who stopped by, and more than once, it led us into sharing the story of the true gift of Christmas.
Jar of Blessings
Source: Pinterest
One advent season, I set out a large glass jar with slips of paper tucked inside, each numbered for the days. Instead of receiving something tangible, the children and I would draw out a “blessing challenge”—like praying for a neighbor, writing a thank-you card, or reading a psalm together. At first, they weren’t too sure about it, but soon it became something they looked forward to each day. I think this idea is special because it teaches us that blessings often come in the giving, not the receiving.
Paper Bag Ladder
I once saw a wooden ladder leaned against the wall, with brown paper bags clipped on each rung, and I just had to try it myself. It felt homely, approachable, and creative all at once. Each bag was decorated by the kids with stars and scribbles, which made it all the more personal. Pulling one down each day gave us that shared moment of excitement. It didn’t matter if the bags held candy or a handwritten verse, the ritual itself brought us closer. That ladder became the centerpiece of our living room that year.
Window Frame Calendar
I had an old window frame sitting in the garage, and instead of tossing it, I transformed it into an advent calendar. I hung little numbered tags inside each pane and clipped tiny treasures to them. It was a bit rough around the edges, but I think that’s what made it beautiful. Guests always asked about it, and I’d smile, telling them it was just something repurposed. It reminded me how God often takes broken or forgotten things and gives them new purpose—a lesson I still carry each season.
Wreath Countdown
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One of my favorite advent styles was creating a large wreath with twenty-four small ornaments hanging on it. Each day, we’d take off one ornament and reflect on a verse or prayer. It gave the wreath a deeper meaning beyond just decoration. Watching it grow lighter with each passing day made the anticipation of Christmas even stronger. The circle itself reminded us of God’s unending love, and I can’t think of a more fitting symbol for the countdown to Christ’s birth.
Chalkboard Calendar
I once used a chalkboard to sketch out the advent days, drawing little boxes for each date. Inside each box, I wrote a short scripture or activity. It was nothing fancy, but the children loved taking turns erasing the boxes as we went along. It kept things interactive and playful, and at the same time, it centered us on the Word. Sometimes the simplest methods, like chalk and board, bring the richest memories. That chalk dust still makes me smile whenever I think of it.
Garland of Envelopes
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I tied envelopes along a string of evergreen garland and draped it over the sideboard. It became this blend of decoration and devotion. Opening each envelope revealed either a verse or a small token, and the greenery tied it beautifully into the season. Friends who visited often commented how thoughtful it felt, like the garland itself was alive with meaning. For me, this was a way to make faith part of the very fabric of the decor—not just an add-on, but woven right into the celebration.
Fabric Pouch Calendar
One year, I sewed small pouches out of leftover fabric scraps, numbered them, and strung them up. Each pouch carried a surprise, but more than that, it carried the memory of the hands that stitched it. My children helped pick the fabrics, and even their uneven stitches made the calendar feel more alive. There’s something about using fabric that holds warmth—you can feel the time and care in it. Every time we untied a pouch, it felt like unwrapping a bit of love.
Mason Jar Advent Calendar
One Advent, I filled 24 small mason jars with simple things—candies, handwritten prayers, and even tiny ornaments. They sat in a neat row along the sideboard, glowing when I added fairy lights around them. To be honest, there was something cozy about opening a jar each morning. The clinking of the lids and the joy of discovery made it feel like a holy little ritual. In my opinion, mason jars carry a homely charm that fits perfectly with Advent’s quiet anticipation.
Advent Calendar with Mini Stockings
I once hung a row of tiny stockings across the fireplace, each numbered for the days of Advent. Some held treats, others small notes with acts of kindness. The children loved reaching into them, and I loved watching their eagerness grow each morning. To be fair, I didn’t make those stockings myself—I bought them—but they still held so much meaning. It felt like every day was its own little Christmas morning.
Advent Candle Countdown
I remember placing 24 small candles in a tray, lighting one each night as we drew closer to Christmas. Honestly, it was one of the most peaceful calendars I ever tried. The room filled with a soft glow, and we’d sit together in prayer or quiet reflection. I found that the rhythm of light growing stronger each day mirrored our hope building toward the birth of Christ. It was simple but profoundly moving.
Fabric Pocket Wall Hanging
One year I sewed a large piece of fabric with 24 little pockets stitched across it. Each pocket carried something small, sometimes even just a word like “peace” or “hope.” The children liked checking the pockets, but I enjoyed watching the wall slowly empty as we neared Christmas. In my opinion, this type of calendar feels timeless—soft, warm, and handmade with love.
Advent Calendar on a Ladder
I once leaned an old wooden ladder against the wall and tied small paper bags to each rung. Honestly, it looked rustic but very charming. Every day, someone climbed a little higher to grab the next bag, which felt symbolic in its own way. To be fair, it wasn’t the most practical idea, but it sparked joy and laughter. I loved how it turned something ordinary into something sacred for the season.
Advent Calendar with Prayer Cards
I tried creating a calendar filled entirely with prayer cards—one for each day. Some were handwritten, others printed, but each one felt like a gift of encouragement. We read them together, sometimes in the morning, sometimes before bed. In my opinion, it gave us a rhythm of prayer that softened the busyness of December. It wasn’t flashy, but it rooted us in faith, which is what Advent is all about.
Advent Countdown Garland
I once crafted a garland with little paper envelopes strung across the living room. Each envelope carried something—tiny notes, treats, or scripture verses. Honestly, the beauty of it was seeing it draped like a banner of anticipation. The children raced to find the right envelope each day, and I loved how it made the room feel festive without being overwhelming.
Wooden Box Advent Calendar
I remember painting a wooden box with small drawers, numbering each one from 1 to 24. Filling it became almost as fun as opening it. To be fair, the kids always hoped for candy, but I mixed it up with small messages and even little tasks like “say thank you to someone today.” I found it encouraged gratitude in a very gentle way.
Advent Calendar with Hanging Ornaments
One year, instead of treats, I hung ornaments as part of the calendar. Each day the children would hang one more ornament on a bare tree, slowly dressing it up as we approached Christmas. Honestly, watching that tree transform day by day was magical. In my opinion, it reminded us that preparation is just as important as celebration.
Advent Calendar with Scripture Scrolls
I once rolled up tiny scrolls of scripture and tied them with ribbon. Each day we’d open one and read it aloud. The children enjoyed unrolling them, and I enjoyed the hush that followed as we listened. To be fair, it was simple to make, but it carried deep meaning. Every scroll felt like a little message from God, waiting to be unwrapped in His time.
FAQ
How do I choose the right Advent calendar style for my home?
I’d say it depends on your family’s rhythm and what feels most natural to you. Some prefer something simple, like scripture cards or candles, while others enjoy more playful calendars with treats and surprises. In my opinion, the best style is the one that keeps you looking forward to the season with joy rather than feeling pressured to do more.
Can I make an Advent calendar if I’m not crafty?
Of course you can! I’ve known families who simply wrote numbers on envelopes and taped them to the wall, and it still brought so much excitement. To be fair, Advent isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparation. Even something small and humble can hold deep meaning when shared with love.
Should Advent calendars always include gifts or treats?
Not at all. Honestly, some of the most meaningful calendars I’ve tried had no candy at all—just prayers, verses, or little acts of kindness. Those left a lasting impression. Gifts are fun, yes, but they’re not the heart of Advent. The heart is drawing closer to Christ day by day.
How early should I start preparing an Advent calendar?
I’ve found that starting a couple of weeks before Advent begins gives enough breathing room. That way, you’re not rushing at the last minute. But even if you prepare it a day before, don’t worry—God blesses the effort. The important thing is the intention, not the timeline.
Can Advent calendars be reused every year?
Yes, and I actually love the tradition of reusing one. A wooden box, fabric pockets, or stockings can become part of your family’s memories year after year. In my opinion, reusing makes it even more special because it carries the touch of past Advents along with the new.
I’m father joaquin perez, we are a catholic church with all the sacraments where everybody is welcome. we celebrate catholic mass every Sunday at 12:30pm at saint stephen episcopal church at 2750 McFarlane road, Miami, Florida