Did you grow up counting down the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar? The holiday tradition has taken on an entirely new life of its own, thanks to the creativity of some very design-savvy moms and crafters. Whether you prefer to DIY or click and buy, we've rounded up 12 absolutely beautiful Advent calendars to add a beautiful spin on the December countdown for your lil ones!
Here's a post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:
The second day on the road to Christmas brings the finalized advent calendar. The whole thing ended up being rather heavy, so I finally decided to hang the buckets from the garland that runs on the stairwell balustrade. A bit risky since the kids pass them a zillion times a day and the height is just right. Guess it's time to teach these little nippers some self-control!
Did it take a long time to hang these buckets — oh yes! At least a little smooth background music and romantic candlelight and the lights in the tree created a fun atmosphere to work in. End result: not quite what I originally pictured but pretty nice anyway. Leaves some space for improvement next year . . .
Finally here — what surprises will the first bucket hold this year...
All 24 ready, first kids to sleep, then buckets up, tissues in, and first lot of surprises too (not trusting that the newly taught self-control will kick in immediately)
The night before December first - our advent calendar is ready to go up (and it's nicer to work in candlelight)
Romantic candlelight and a glass of wine helped this little elf to complete the crafting project
The last ones are up. We'll see how many will come down because of nosy little kids . . .
Like what you see? Start following House of Anaïs to read more! Or start your own OnSugar blog and maybe it will be featured here as well!
Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Funkytime from the Su Casa group:
Alright, I did it. I made the advent calendar I have been wanting to make all of November. I procrastinated and procrastinated, and then ended up doing it in one night, finishing it up December 1st . . . just in time!
All you need is:
Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member seefree from the Su Casa group:
Advent Calendars are such a fun tradition in our house. I love to watch the kids' faces as they realize Christmas is drawing near. This year I created a DIY version and thought I'd share it with you!
You can read the details on how to make your own, along with lots of other Christmas crafts, at Hi Sugarplum!
Have you been doing any DIYs lately? Be sure to post them in the Su Casa group!
The anticipation of Christmas facilitated by my mother's advent calendar was always my favorite part of the holiday season growing up. (These days, it's mulled wine.) But I've never been a fan of those store-bought advent calendars where you opened a little paper door each day. They're cute, but certainly not as fun as a calendar filled with treats or activities. The possibilities for making your own advent calendar are endless, but I thought I'd round up a few DIY projects to inspire you (and woo you away from the drugstore variety).
If you didn't go for the Tiny Shoe Advent Calendar, but you're still open to the tradition of advent calendars, you're in luck. I'm sure you can arrive at plenty of ways to DIY your own, but perhaps you'd just to prefer to shop. I know I should cut back, but as a San Francisco dweller, I'm personally loving the Gump's Painted Ladies Advent Calendar ($125). If you're not familiar with the Painted Ladies, they're colorful, embellished Victorian houses here in SF, which appeared in the opening credits of Full House. Perhaps you'll find an advent calendar that's right up your alley when you read more
In my house, we hung an advent calendar each year, made of miniature gift bags filled with candy. I think it's a fun tradition for children that fosters their excitement for Christmas — as if they weren't already bursting at the seams. 
Although it's obviously a religious tradition, the countdown calendars can be used for all sorts of celebrations, like birthdays or even the election! That is, if the calendar itself isn't specifically Christmas-y in theme. For example, the Great Craft Disaster Advent Calendar ($45) is composed of 24 tiny fabric slippers, although Christmas fabrics in particular weren't used. Considering that I love anything mini, I can't get enough of this calendar! Each slipper has a numbered tag on it denoting the date, or the number of days left in the countdown. What do you think?
When I saw the Littlest Pet Shop Advent Calendar for kids on lilsugar, I was instantly motivated! Being a fairly crafty gal, I decided to make an advent calendar for my lil' guy, North. I stopped off at a hardware store after work for some creative inspiration and was actually able to conceptualize and make this calendar from items I purchased or had lying around my house. It was so easy to make that when I sat down to work at the beginning of last night's Gossip Girl episode, by the end, I was done! To see how to make an Advent Tree-at for your pooch, kitty, or kiddie, read more
I always loved advent calendars. I mean...what greedy kid wouldn't? A present every day for 24 straight days! I know the tradition is just for kids, but this Hat and Mittens Advent Calendar new at Garnet Hill is so cute and sweet I'm wondering if I can be grandfathered back into the tradition. It's a string of tiny hand-knit hats and mittens cross stitched with the dates of December. Each one is crafted by hand, so each calendar is unique. Even better. I love the holidays!
