8 Clever DIY Advent Calendars You Can Make from IKEA Finds

It’s never too early to get ready for Christmas. A surefire way to get into the holiday spirit is to set up an Advent calendar.

What’s Advent?

For most parts of my life, I had no idea there was such a thing as an Advent, what more an Advent calendar. Later on, I learned that the Advent (the word means “arrival” in Latin) is a countdown to Christmas.

While many modern Advent calendars focus on little treats and surprises hidden behind each calendar day, the original purpose of the Advent season was to help Christians remain focused on the birth and return of Jesus Christ. In each Advent package, there could be scriptures, Bible stories, and prayers to help children understand what Christmas is all about, besides the sweet treats.

Traditionally, it can range from 22 to 28 days leading up to Christmas. All in all, it’s a fun way to get children (and adults) excited for the holiday season.

IKEA’s 2025 Advent Calendar is here now

The IKEA VINTERSAGA Advent Calendar is available for sale again. Priced at $14.99 this calendar is worth every cent as IKEA hides surprises for its customers behind the flaps.

Open a new flap each day from December 1st to Christmas Eve, and you’ll discover tasty pieces of chocolate behind most of them, along with other surprises. Previous buyers have noted that “the coupons alone are worth the price of the calendar,” and you might even find a free meatball meal.

Don’t miss your chance—head to your nearest IKEA store and grab one before they’re gone. If not, roll up your sleeves and check out our ideas and hacks for a unique DIY Advent Calendar.

3 steps to a DIY Advent Calendar

Making an Advent Calendar is a fun project. Rope your kids in to help. The process is just 3 easy steps.

Step 1: Get ready your packaging

Gather any kind of small gift bags, boxes, or tin cans that can hold your Advent gifts and treats. While they are usually of the same kind, you’re not confined to having the same-sized bags or boxes. In fact, a variety of bags and boxes can create a surprising vignette and generate more excitement as your kids open something different every day. The key is to keep some similar themes like color (black, as in the picture below) or material (cardboard boxes) to avoid it looking too chaotic.

Step 2: Get goodies and accessories ready

Shop for chocolates, Christmas cookies, and small toys to fill the packages. Beautify your packages with ribbons and strings. Use stickers and tags to number the packages.

Step 3: Put them on display

Now that the Advent bags or boxes are ready, arrange them on a DIY tree or hanger, or stand. Get creative and decorate them any way you like. Some popular choices for Advent Calendars using IKEA products are:

1. IKEA VINTERFINT wall decoration
2. SÖSDALA Memo board
3. MOPPE mini chest
4. KOMPLEMENT multi-use hanger
5. BEKVÄM spice racks
6. LUSTIGT wall shelf
7. EKET cabinets
8. A wreath

Now that we know how to make our calendars, let’s get some inspiration from these 8 IKEA Advent Calendars.

1. IKEA advent gift bags and wall decoration

A fun use of the IKEA VINTERFINT wall decoration. Make your own gift bags like how DIY Mommy did, or get the IKEA VINTERFINT gift bags. Stick the supplied numbers on the bag, and fill them up with chocolates and candy. Finally, place them on the wall decoration. So easy.

2. DIY castle Advent Calendar

Here’s an idea for a reusable calendar from IKEA made from the KOMPLEMENT multi-hanger. Rolls of corrugated cardboard tubes slot into the multi-hanger and keep the surprises intact until they are opened. The multi-hanger has only 18 rings, so the remaining surprises are hidden in paper cone trees. When the holiday season is over, use the multi-hanger in your wardrobe.

3. Wreath Advent Calendar

Adults can get into the Advent Calendar fun too. Make one for your partner or friends that’s not about sweets and chocolates. All you need is an elegant wreath and numbered paper stars. On the other side, scribble down compliments, promises to a treat (Spa day!) or a date (Let’s go dancing tonight).

4. Bowl them over day by day

Need an unconventional calendar for your resident chef? How about wrapping beautiful bowls, plates, and cutlery, and letting your loved one unwrap his or her way to a complete table setting? Replicate this idea with other themes to suit the recipient, such as art supplies, craft goodies, books, travel gifts, and more.

5. Fabric Christmas tree countdown

This makes use of the printed IKEA Christmas Tree fabric. Use some clothes pegs and hang up the bags.

Add string lights behind the fabric for a whole lot more festive zing! See the video below for effect. Wait for it. It’s awesome.

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A post shared by Jules Yap (@ikeahackersofficial)

See Also

Christmas Decor Ideas with IKEA: 6 Ways to Style Your Home for the Holidays

6. Advent Calendar Box

There’s also the trusty MOPPE chest — a container of all things sweet and nice.

7. Large-scale Advent calendar

Go big and bold with a KALLAX. See tutorial here. There are 25 boxes in the 5×5 KALLAX with Christmas right in the middle. Sweet!

8. Quick and easy DIY napkin calendar

A simple and quick Advent calendar with IKEA napkins. It’s an inexpensive DIY for a simple, subtle calendar. See the napkin Advent Calendar.

So, do you have a DIY advent calendar? Share your ideas with us.

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NEXT: See more IKEA Holiday Hacks