Great post! I've been pondering the many possibilities for a lasting, diy advent calendar. (And running out of time). Thanks for the ideas!

I am making my own version of #5 (the little pouches) and I love them, but wondering, does anyone have a cute idea for how to hang/display them? I was planning on using mini clothespins and baker's twine, but I'm open to other ideas - maybe on a table-top tree?

I love these. But I still sort of lament the end of the $1.99 chocolate advent. That my sisters and I had to share (the horrors! our friends each had their OWN!) and got a chocolate every 3 days. We did LOTS of fun holiday traditions, though. My parents were total Scrooges :-)

Teamblock - when I was in elementary school my teacher hung these little pouches on a tabletop pine tree - a real one! She started with 1 on the bottom and went all the way up to 25. Everyday was so much fun - stuff like hot chocolate (in the middle of the day!!! - 8 year olds LOVE that kind of stuff - lol)

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I really like this roundup, my daughter is old enough to pay attention to this so I will be making a set for the first time this year.

There are lots of great ideas out there now. I really liked the felt house advent calendar at The Land of Nod last year, so I made my own version and I'm excited to get it out and hang it up again this year. I hope it will be a special part of our holidays and that my children can inherit it one day.

http://www.craftpad.com/2009/12/let-countdown-begin.html

I love these ones made by crafty blogger Filth Wizardry using condiment cups and paper plates. Cheap, crafty and a fun way to get kids involved and use up Halloween candy!

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2008/12/homemade-advent-calendar.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/12/christmas-count-down-calendar-for.html

My son and I made a little pouch/picture one last year that was SO sweet. But I will admit, this year? I'm all about this one: http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=4160&cgid=
I am such a sucker for Playmobil - could be my five year old rubbing off on me.

These are great!

happybirthday - they have those cheap little chocolate ones at Ikea right now!

I made an advent set last year using aluminum seed cups from Ikea and attaching simple number stickers, ribbon, and scrapbook paper. Each day the post contained a small gift or slip of paper with an activity. You can see a couple examples in this post: http://callipygianchronicle.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/december-daily-days-9-10-11/ .

Every year I go to etsy alchemy and commission a new advent calendar. Usually a garland of mini hats, mitten, and stockings. Then I fill it with gender-neutral toddler goodies like kazoos, chinese yo-yos, lacing cards, etc. I donate it to the silent auction of our local children's museum and it always has more bids than any other item. One year it went for over $300!

People LOVE creative advent calendars--so if you're making one for yourself, just buy two of everything and make another to donate for your favorite cause.

Last year we made our advent calendar out of envelopes - quick and easy crafty fun!!!
http://www.se7en.org.za/2009/12/03/se7en-create-an-advent-village-calendar

And we will definitely be making a new one this year!!!

Teamblock, I have the #5 pouches and last year I hung them on our Christmas tree with all of our other decorations. The kids would take out the contents each day then re-hang the empty bag on the tree

I love the book idea and started collecting books last year. Not sure we have enough yet for the entire month but we will just start with whatever number we have.

Are there any cute/stylish Advent wreaths out there? The type that will hold three purple candles and one pink candle?

@happybirthday-

My husband I just bought a chocolate advent calendar at Ikea for $2.49 :) They have a choice of 2 graphics, kids or Santa.

I love the chocolate advent calendars. I still see them around at Hallmark, Target, Walmart, etc.

We rotate through our collection of Playmobil advent calendars every year. They make several different ones!

This is my all-time favorite advent/Christmas countdown idea:
http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com/my_little_mochi/2008/11/pocket-advent-calendar.html

My god the joy that I would have had seeing that book advent calendar. Heck, the joy I have NOW seeing that book advent calendar!!! I drool.

I love reusable Advent calendars with pockets for little gifts. I've made two hoping to get one that's just perfect. Hopefully this years will fit the bill.

I absolutely love this post and all the ideas shared in the comments. I am going to add another suggestion--this is a handmade paper version from Etsy. It's sophisticated and would probably appeal more to older kids and adults, but it is really beautiful and the cleverness of how the folding flaps create the numbers themselves is just amazing!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62927761/folding-typography-advent-calendar