A fill-your-own advent calendar is one of the nicest ways to count down to Christmas. Instead of 24 identical chocolates, you choose a little surprise for every day, and the calendar itself can come back out year after year. If you are staring at 24 empty boxes wondering where to start, this guide covers how to plan, what to put inside, and 24 ideas split for kids, adults and couples.
Choosing your advent calendar
Before you fill anything, check the size of each compartment. Drawers and boxes vary, and it is much easier to shop for fillers when you know what fits. Some popular styles from our advent calendar collection include:
- Box calendars such as the Luxury Fill Your Own Advent Calendar with 24 boxes and ribbon, which suit slightly larger treats.
- DIY kits like the DIY Christmas Advent Calendar Kit with boxes, ribbons and stickers, which you assemble and hang or display however you like.
- Tree-shaped calendars such as the Vintage Christmas Tree calendar (Kids Mix), which doubles as a festive decoration.
How to plan 24 days of surprises
- Measure a compartment and note the rough size limit.
- Set a budget for the whole calendar, then divide it. Mixing a few pricier gifts with lots of small treats keeps costs sensible.
- Mix treats and experiences. Not every day needs a physical gift. A note promising an activity works brilliantly.
- Save the best for last. Put a slightly bigger surprise behind door 24.
- Fill it before 1 December. Filling it at the end of November avoids a late-night scramble.
8 advent calendar ideas for kids
- Chocolate coins or a favourite sweet
- Stickers for a festive sticker chart
- Mini crayons and a colouring sheet
- A note: "Tonight we watch a Christmas film together"
- A small ornament to hang on the tree
- A hot chocolate sachet
- A clue that leads to a hidden treat somewhere in the house
- A note: "Today we bake Christmas biscuits"
For younger children, keep small items out of reach until an adult opens the door with them, and avoid anything that could be a choking hazard.
8 advent calendar ideas for adults
- A miniature bottle of gin, whisky or liqueur
- A luxury tea bag or coffee pod
- A face mask or travel-size skincare treat
- A lottery scratchcard
- A scented tealight
- A pair of fun festive socks
- A voucher for a lie-in or breakfast in bed
- A gourmet chocolate or truffle
8 advent calendar ideas for couples
- A note: "Date night: dinner at your favourite restaurant"
- Printed photo of a favourite shared memory
- A love letter or list of reasons you are grateful for them
- Two cinema tickets or a streaming film night voucher
- Ingredients for a cocktail to make together
- A note: "Tonight we go for a winter walk and hot chocolate"
- A board game or puzzle night token
- A song you want to dance to in the kitchen
Themed calendar ideas
If you want to go a step further, pick a theme for the whole month:
- Kindness calendar: each door holds a small act of kindness to do that day.
- Book lover's calendar: bookmarks, reading lights and short stories.
- Festive baking calendar: a recipe card and one ingredient each day.
- Cracker-style calendar: a DIY Glitter Christmas Cracker Advent Calendar Kit gives you 24 fillable cracker-style boxes for jokes and tiny gifts.
Filling tips that save time
- Sort before you fill. Lay all 24 treats out on the table and number them with sticky notes before anything goes into a box or drawer.
- Spread out the big hitters. Put a favourite treat on each weekend so there is always something to look forward to.
- Roll notes into scrolls. Activity notes tied with a little ribbon feel more special than a folded slip of paper.
- Think about melting. If your calendar sits near a radiator or fireplace, choose wrapped sweets rather than loose chocolate.
- Check for allergies. If the calendar is for someone else, confirm any dietary needs before adding food.
Making it last year after year
- Avoid sticky tape directly on boxes or drawers so they stay tidy.
- Store the calendar flat or boxed somewhere cool and dry after Christmas.
- Keep a note of what you used this year so you can mix things up next time.
Related guides: What to Put Inside a Christmas Cracker: 40 Filler Ideas for Adults and Kids and Christmas Cake Decorating Ideas with Toppers: Yule Logs, Cupcakes and Iced Cakes.
Start your countdown
A fill-your-own advent calendar turns December into 24 little moments to look forward to. Browse our full advent calendar collection to find the right style for your home, with free UK delivery, and start planning your surprises.