Make Your Own Last-Minute Advent Calendar – 6 Easy DIY Ideas

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Make your own last-minute Advent calendar: 6 quick DIY ideas with chocolate, vouchers, affirmations and jokes. Simply print and give as a gift!

Would you like to make your own last-minute Advent calendar but don't have the time or desire for elaborate crafting and 24 little gifts? Then I have six easy DIY Advent calendar ideas for you! With my printable Christmas wrappers, you can turn small chocolate bars, tea bags or heartfelt messages into a personal Advent calendar in no time. Perfect for kids, adults and anyone you want to make happy during the Christmas season.

Does this sound familiar? It feels like we've only just put away the Halloween decorations, and suddenly December 1st is just around the corner! And with it comes the question: What should go into the Advent calendar this year?

My Minis and I love the weeks leading up to Christmas! Baking Christmas cookies, making Christmas presents, decorating the house together, spending cozy Advent afternoons with friends and, of course, the daily excitement of looking forward to Christmas – all of this makes this time of year especially magical for us.

And of course, an Advent calendar is a must! Even as a child, I looked forward to opening a little door every morning. Today, I enjoy surprising my Minis or loved ones with a homemade Advent calendar just as much.

But let's be honest. There isn't always enough time in November to buy 24 little gifts, wrap them and make an elaborate Advent calendar. That's why today I'm showing you my favorite last-minute Advent calendars to make yourself.

With just a few simple materials and my printable Christmas templates, you can create lovely little Advent calendars that come straight from the heart in no time.

And the best part: You don't need any special crafting skills!

Make Your Own Last-Minute Advent Calendar – It's That Easy

A homemade Advent calendar doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes all it takes is 24 little chocolate bars, a few pretty paper wrappers and a heartfelt message to put a smile on someone's face every morning.

That's why I particularly like using printable wrappers for my quick DIY Advent calendars. You can print the templates at home, cut them out and then wrap them around small chocolates or tea bags. And just like that, an ordinary sweet treat becomes a personal Advent gift.

What You Need for a Quick DIY Advent Calendar

• A suitable printable Advent calendar template
• A printer
• Paper
• Scissors
• Adhesive tape or glue
• 24 small chocolate bars, tea bags or other suitable little treats
• Optional: a pretty box, a jar or a gift box

Mini-Tip If you're particularly short on time, you can simply place the finished chocolate bars in a pretty box. Add a ribbon and a small gift tag, and you've got a lovely last-minute Advent calendar.

1. Last-Minute Advent Calendar with Chocolate and Christmas Wrappers

Chocolate is always a good idea, isn't it? At least according to my Minis!

That's why a last-minute Advent calendar with little chocolate bars is one of my favorite ideas when time is short. With the Christmas-themed DIY wrappers, you can turn 24 small chocolate bars into a pretty homemade Advent calendar.

Simply print out the wrappers, cut them to size and wrap them around the chocolate bars. And just like that, each chocolate becomes a little Christmas gift. The wrappers fit Ritter Sport Minis particularly well and turn the small chocolate bars into a lovingly designed Advent calendar.

You can then give the chocolates as a gift in a pretty box, place them in a jar or arrange them decoratively on a tray.

A particularly lovely idea for kids, chocolate lovers or colleagues.

Here you can find the Christmas Advent calendar wrappers in my shop.

2. Last-Minute Advent Calendar with Vouchers – Time Instead of Things

Does there really have to be a little gift in the Advent calendar every day? I don't think so! Especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it's also about creating beautiful memories together. That's why I particularly like our "Time Instead of Things" Advent calendar. Instead of 24 little gifts, this DIY Advent calendar is all about giving the gift of time together.

The printable template contains 90 different ideas for Christmas activities, from which you can choose your favorite 24.

How about, for example:

• Baking Christmas cookies together
• Having a cozy Christmas movie night
• Drinking hot chocolate
• Taking a walk to admire the Christmas lights
• Making Christmas cards together
• Reading a Christmas story aloud

You can also personalize the wrappers with your own heartfelt messages. This allows you to adapt the Advent calendar perfectly to your family and your Christmas traditions.

I think this is a wonderful way for kids in particular to consciously enjoy the weeks leading up to Christmas together. Because sometimes the most beautiful gifts aren't things, but shared experiences.

A particularly lovely idea for families with kids, grandparents and anyone who would rather give the gift of time together than little presents.

Here you can find the Time Instead of Things Advent calendar with 90 voucher ideas.

3. Last-Minute Advent Calendar with Affirmations for Kids

Sometimes all it takes is a few loving words to give a child a positive feeling for the day. And that's exactly the idea behind our Advent calendar with affirmations for kids.

Every morning, a little positive message is waiting for your Mini. A loving reminder of how valuable, brave and unique they are.

With this Advent calendar, I don't just want to make the weeks leading up to Christmas a little sweeter, but also create small moments of encouragement. After all, there are always situations in everyday life when our Minis could use an extra dose of self-confidence.

The affirmations can be a lovely opportunity to pause together for a moment in the morning, read the message aloud and talk about it. Perhaps this will even become a new little Advent tradition.

A particularly lovely idea for kindergarten kids, elementary school kids and all Minis you want to give a loving message to every day.

Here you can find the Advent calendar with affirmations for kids.

4. Last-Minute Advent Calendar with Christmas Jokes for Kids

My Minis love jokes! As soon as they hear a new joke, it's told to the whole family by lunchtime at the latest. And usually more than once.

That's why an Advent calendar with Christmas jokes for kids simply had to be part of my collection.

The idea is very simple: Every morning, a new little Christmas joke is waiting to be discovered and read aloud. This way, the day starts with a smile – and perhaps even with a particularly funny fit of laughter at the breakfast table.

You can wrap the joke wrappers around small chocolate bars or combine them with tea bags, for example.

I think this is also a lovely gift idea for grandparents or other family members who enjoy laughing together with the Minis.

A particularly lovely idea for kids, families, grandparents and little jokesters.

Here you can find the Advent calendar wrappers with Christmas jokes.

5. Last-Minute Advent Calendar for Adults – 24 Little Breaks

For once, this Advent calendar isn't meant for the Minis! After all, we adults deserve a little surprise during the weeks leading up to Christmas, too. Especially in December, everyday life is often pretty busy: buying presents, baking cookies, organizing Christmas parties, decorating the house and, of course, normal family life continues alongside all of that. Sometimes a little break comes at just the right time.

Our mindful Advent calendar for adults is designed to remind you to take a few minutes of peace and quiet every day. Perhaps with a cozy cup of tea, a lovely Christmas song or a little moment just for yourself.

The wrappers are particularly suitable for an Advent calendar with individually wrapped tea bags. But you can also give them as little messages in a jar or a pretty box.

And perhaps this year you'll simply treat yourself?

A particularly lovely idea for moms, dads, friends, colleagues and anyone who wishes for little breaks during the Christmas hustle and bustle.

Here you can find the printable mindful Advent calendar.

6. Last-Minute Advent Calendar in a Box with Toffifee

Are you still looking for a little gift for a dear friend, your Minis' kindergarten teacher or your child's teacher?

Then our last-minute Advent calendar in a box might be just what you're looking for! With a Christmas-themed printable template, you can turn a box of Toffifee into a pretty little gift idea. It's quick, looks lovingly designed and is a lovely alternative to an elaborate handmade Advent calendar.

I particularly like little gifts like these as something to bring along to an Advent coffee gathering or as a thank-you to people who support us and our Minis throughout the year.

A particularly lovely idea for teachers, kindergarten teachers, colleagues, neighbors and small Christmas gifts.

Here you can find the Toffifee Advent calendar printable template.

Other Ways to Use the Advent Calendar Wrappers

The little wrappers are actually designed for Ritter Sport Minis. But did you know that you can also use them for other gift ideas? Let me show you a few ways you can use your printable Advent calendar templates.

Advent Calendar with Tea Bags

A particularly lovely idea for adults is a homemade tea Advent calendar. Use 24 individually wrapped tea bags and combine them with the matching wrappers. Make sure the packaging size fits. Especially with our mindful messages, this creates a lovely gift for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Advent Calendar with After Eight Chocolates

Small, individually wrapped chocolates such as After Eight can also be suitable for the wrappers. Depending on the packaging size, you may need to fold or attach the wrappers a little differently.

Advent Calendar in a Jar

You don't necessarily need 24 individual little packages. You can also fold the wrappers into little notes and place them in a pretty jar. Add a ribbon, perhaps a little fir branch – and your lovely DIY Advent calendar is ready!

Advent Calendar in a Gift Box

If you're particularly short on time, a pretty box is the easiest solution. Place the 24 prepared chocolate bars or messages inside and decorate the box with a beautiful gift tag. This way, your Advent calendar is ready to give as a gift.

Mini Tip The last-minute Advent calendar with tea bags, or the wrappers folded into a pretty envelope, is also perfect for sending by mail.

Making a Last-Minute Advent Calendar with Kids

Of course, our Minis can also help with making Advent calendars! Depending on their age, kids can already take on many tasks. Younger Minis can, for example, sort the chocolate bars, match the finished wrappers or decorate a gift box. Older Minis can cut out the printable templates, wrap the wrappers around the chocolates and write little personal messages.

I particularly love it when kids make an Advent calendar themselves for Grandma, Grandpa or another loved one. After all, it's not just about crafting. The Minis also think about what they can do to make someone else happy. And isn't that a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit?

Last-Minute Advent Calendars – Little Surprises That Bring Great Joy

I think a homemade Advent calendar doesn't have to be expensive or particularly elaborate. What's much more important is the loving thought behind it.

Whether it's a sweet little chocolate bar, a funny Christmas joke, a little encouraging message or a voucher for spending time together – sometimes it's the little things that make the weeks leading up to Christmas so special.

And that's exactly why I love our printable last-minute Advent calendars. They're quick to make, can be personalized and are a wonderful way to bring a little joy to kids and adults alike.

Perhaps there's a perfect idea for you and your Minis, too?

I wish you and your Minis lots of fun crafting, giving gifts and, of course, opening your Advent calendars every day!

Yours, Lia!

Are you still looking for ideas for filling your Advent calendar? If so, I’ve got a few suggestions for you!

I’ve picked out a few lovely Advent calendars, Advent calendar books (my little ones still love them to this day), and ideas for filling your Advent calendar . Happy browsing!

Do you still need Christmas presents? Then I now have a few ideas for you!

I put together a small list of (Christmas) gifts for baking fans! You're sure to find a nice little something to give away! Have fun strolling through my ideas.

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Were we able to inspire you with our idea?

Super! We are very happy that you like our idea as much as we do! We would be very happy if you shared your creation with us on Instagram using the hashtag #backenmitminis or via Pinterest.