DIY advent calendar: 30+ filler ideas and when to actually start

1. When to start: the real advent calendar timeline

The classic mistake is thinking of the advent calendar as a December job. It is a November job — and partly an October one.

• Late October: decide who it's for and pick a theme (experiences, sweets, small gifts, notes).
• First half of November: collect your 24 ideas and order anything that needs posting.
• Last week of November: build the structure (bags, boxes, pegs) and fill it.
• 30 November: the calendar is finished and hanging. Not "nearly finished" — finished.

2. The structure: three formats that always work

You don't need to buy a blank calendar: the nicest frames are made from things you already have.

• Paper bags or envelopes pegged to a length of string: the classic, cheap, hand-numbered option.
• 24 numbered boxes or recycled jam jars: sturdier, and reusable every year.
• 24 folded notes in a jar or tin: the minimal format, perfect when the contents are activities and messages rather than objects.

3. Filler ideas for kids

With children the temptation is to fill every door with chocolate and toys. It works — but the doors they remember are the ones with things to do together.

• A chocolate coin (yes, some doors need one).
• A note: "tonight you pick the Christmas film".
• A sticker sheet or a temporary tattoo.
• A Christmas colouring page you've printed yourself.
• A small decoration to hang on the tree.
• A note: "today we bake mince pies (or gingerbread) together".
• A small book or comic, split across several doors.
• A craft to make together: paper chains, cards for the grandparents.
• A note: "tonight we walk around the neighbourhood to see the lights".
• An early "intercepted" letter from Father Christmas.

4. Filler ideas for adults

For a grown-up the value isn't the object — it's the daily thought. Small things chosen well beat one big last-minute present.

• A different tea bag, herbal blend or speciality coffee each day.
• Good chocolate, or a sweet from their childhood.
• A note with a memory: "the day we…".
• A voucher: "dinner's on me tonight", "Sunday lie-in, I'll do breakfast".
• A skincare or fragrance sample.
• A printed photo of a moment together.
• A playlist or film recommendation written on a card.
• A small scented candle.
• Seeds to plant or a tiny succulent.
• A joke, a riddle or a kind thought a day.

5. The trick that makes it easy: one theme

Finding 24 different ideas feels daunting. Finding 24 versions of one idea isn't. Pick a theme and the calendar fills itself.

• Tea theme: 24 different blends to discover.
• Memories theme: 24 notes with photos, stories and quotes.
• Experiences theme: 24 things to do together, free or nearly free.
• Sweet theme: 24 different chocolates or biscuits.
• Craft theme: 24 small supplies for making things.

6. The reverse advent calendar

A tradition growing fast in the UK: instead of taking something out each day, you put something in — a tin, a packet, a toiletry — and donate the full box to a food bank at the start of December.

One catch: food banks need donations early, so the "reverse" calendar works best run through November rather than December. A note in late October to start collecting is the whole secret.

The golden rule: write the list early

Door-fillers aren't found on 28 November: they're collected through the year. When you spot something suitable — an unusual tea, a trinket, an activity someone would love — note it down at that moment.

In early November you reopen the list, pick the best 24 and order what you need. The calendar stops being a scramble and becomes the best bit of December.

How MiRicordi helps

With MiRicordi you keep an "Advent calendar" note where you collect ideas during the year, plus a yearly repeating reminder in late October: "choose the theme and contents". A second alert in mid-November covers online orders, a third in the last week covers assembly.

Alerts arrive even when the app is closed. It works straight away with no account, and it's free on Google Play.