There’s just something about Advent calendars.
The quiet magic of counting down the days. The tiny surprises tucked behind numbered doors. The joy of watching your kids’ faces light up each morning in December—it’s a ritual that turns time into a celebration.
And for me, Advent calendars are more than just a tradition… they’re a memory.
A Little History, Because I’m a Sentimental Girl
Advent calendars date all the way back to 19th-century Germany, where families would mark each day of Advent by drawing a chalk line on the wall or lighting a candle. Eventually, they evolved into cardboard calendars with paper doors hiding Bible verses or illustrations—simple, sweet, and deeply symbolic.
The chocolate-filled versions many of us grew up with? Those became popular in the mid-20th century, and let’s be real… they’re still a classic. (IYKYK: the thrill of racing your siblings to the kitchen to see who opened their tiny door first )
But as I’ve gotten older—and as a mom of five—I’ve found myself craving something more meaningful, more lasting. Something reusable. Something beautiful that we can pass down through the years, even as the little hands that open the drawers get a little less little.
Why I Made My Own
Like so many of my projects, this one started with a late-night scroll. You know the kind.
I stumbled across the prettiest wooden advent calendar. Vintage-style, numbered drawers, totally heirloom-worthy… and $140. Not to mention, the drawers were tiny—barely big enough for a Hershey’s Kiss, let alone anything meaningful for a family of seven.
So I did what I always do when something I love feels out of reach:
I figured out how to make it myself.
What I Used (and How I Spent Less Than $70!)
When I tell you this is one of the most satisfying “high-end look for less” projects I’ve ever done, I mean it.
Materials:
- 2 Wooden drawer chests from IKEA – $29.99 each
- Leftover wallpaper – FREE (from our bathroom project)
- Dowel rods – $2.99
- Wooden thumbtacks (for knobs) – $5.00
- Hot glue gun – $5.00
Total cost: ~$70 for a fully custom, beautiful, reusable Advent calendar with drawers big enough to hold real surprises. Yes please.
Let’s Get Into the DIY Details
1. Flip the drawers for a clean slate
The IKEA drawer chests are meant for storage—but I flipped the drawers around so the plain, smooth backs faced out. That gave me the perfect canvas to decorate without the pre-drilled finger holes messing up the aesthetic.
2. Wallpaper = instant charm
I cut wallpaper scraps into squares and glued them to the face of each drawer. It instantly gave the whole piece a collected, vintage-y look—and because it was wallpaper I already loved in my home, it tied into my existing decor perfectly.
3. Dowel rod frames (the fancy part)
I used thin dowel rods to frame each drawer face. This little detail made a huge difference. It gave the drawers dimension and made it feel so much more high-end and intentional.
4. Drawer pulls, but make them charming
Instead of metal hardware, I drilled small pilot holes and inserted wooden thumbtacks as knobs. They’re affordable, adorable, and perfectly sized for little hands to open each drawer.
5. The numbers game
I used gold adhesive numbers for that classic Advent countdown style. Lining them up perfectly was a little tricky, but once they were on, I had that “it’s really happening” moment.
Now for the Best Part: Filling the Drawers
This is where the magic really happens.
I didn’t want to just throw in candy (although, yes, there’s chocolate too). I wanted each drawer to feel like an invitation into a memory, a tradition, or a shared moment.
Here are a few things I included:
- Mini Instax film + a frame – to take a family photo and make a mini ornament
- Hot chocolate pouches + marshmallows – for a cozy cocoa night
- “Family movie night” ticket – we’ll pop popcorn and cuddle up
- Cupcake liners + sprinkles – baking night!
- Christmas socks – festive AND practical
- Gingerbread decorating kit
- “Drive to see Christmas lights” card
- Little notes of encouragement or scripture
- Tiny toys and trinkets for the littles
Seriously—this part was so fun, I didn’t want it to end. (Confession: I may have overfilled a few drawers )
What This Calendar Means to Me
I know it’s “just” a DIY project. But it’s also a memory-maker. A rhythm-setter. A container for the kind of slow, joyful, connective holiday season I want for my family.
It reminds me that magic isn’t found in perfectly styled homes or expensive decorations. It’s in the handmade, the slightly crooked numbers, the drawer stuffed with socks and Nutella, the giggles at bedtime, the countdown to something more.
Want to Make One Too?
Here’s your permission slip: you don’t have to spend a fortune to create something truly special.
This project is beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and endlessly customizable. You can adapt it to your family’s traditions, your aesthetic, and even your schedule. Whether you’re team minimal or maximalist, nostalgic or modern—this one can be yours.
📸 And if you make your own version, please tag me on Instagram:
@abby_roadhome—I would love to cheer you on.
DIY Advent Calendars are about the countdown, yes—but they’re also about slowing down. Making space for memories. And remembering what this season is really about.
Wishing you the coziest, most magical December yet.
– Abby
