100 Creative Ways to Fill Up Your Advent Calendar

Advent calendars have morphed into many different things over the years, from wall hangings you fill up with your own items to boxes with tiny cardboard doors that open to reveal a surprise each day — like this LEGO one that’s perfect for kids, this Bonne Maman one for any jam lovers, or one made for your pets — but the message is still the same: The countdown to Christmas (or whichever holiday you can’t wait to celebrate) is on!

While the holiday season is still a while away, it’s never too early to start prepping, especially if you’re someone who likes to make your own Advent calendar. Figuring out what to stuff it with is the hardest part, so if you’re filling a DIY calendar for your kids or loved ones and find yourself bored with the basics, we rounded up a slew of advent calendar gift ideas, many of which aren’t just “stuff.” Check out our list below — and let us know what you’ll be putting in your Advent calendars this year!

If you’re looking for lots of fun, little surprises to fill your kid’s calendar with, we’ve got you covered.

• Crystals or rocks — This kit comes with a variety of stones, all of which are the perfect size to put in an Advent calendar!
• Mini candle — Choose a scent that signifies the holiday season or one you know your pal will love — like this mini sampler kit — then personalize it with some glitter, sprinkles, or crystals.
• Small jewelry — These tiny celestial studs are the perfect choice for anyone with pierced ears.
• Trinket chest — These tiny beaded cricket chests make the perfect keepsake.
• Pocket board games — Amazon has a wide range of tiny board games, like miniature Scrabble, that can be taken on the go.
• Fortune cookies — Each of these vanilla-flavored cookies comes complete with a funny fortune inside.
• Fancy deck of cards — Why play Old Maid with a plain deck of cards when you can use a festive gold one?
• Novelty pins — Think: Pins with cute sayings, fandoms, and more!
• Mini journal — For all those impromptu brainstorming sessions, get them a mini journal.
• Swedish candy — Get them a mix of sweet and sour Swedish candies.
• Temporary tattoos — Matching (faux) ink with your whole fam? Why not!
• Fun socks — Nothing says holiday season like festive (and a little ridiculous) socks.
• LEGO mini figures — These come with one iconic little LEGO figure, but it’s a mystery bag, so you’ll never know which you’ve received until you open it.
• Dollhouse furniture — The tiny beds and chairs are the perfect size for your advent calendar and will inspire plenty of creative play.
• Nail decals — The perfect way to put cheer at their fingertips is with some fun nail decals.
• Air plants — These air plants are cute and easy to care for.
• Mini blush — Blush is having a moment, this liquid one in particular. Let’s just say they’ll love unwrapping this.
• Hot chocolate spoons — These festive chocolate-dipped spoons are great for stirring up some hot chocolate during the holiday season.
• Mini messages in a bottle — Send a love note in the tiniest little glass bottle.
• Embroidery floss — Calling all friendship bracelet-makers! This floss will have your family making the most colorful bracelets this holiday season.
• Travel watercolor kit — Painting on the go? Yes, please! This pocket-sized paint set is sure to become their new favorite travel companion.
• Nail polish — Inspire a quick manicure with one of these festive OPI shades.
• Play-Doh — Enjoy the fun of playing with Play-Doh.
• Scrunchies — It may not be the ‘90s anymore, but scrunchies are back. Pick up a variety pack with a ton of colors to stash in a few gifts — and keep some for yourself.
• Mini Squishmallows — These cute, small Squishmallows are only 2.5 inches!

If your family dreams of glitter and glue, we made this list especially for you.

• Mini canvas — These mini canvas are perfect for those tiny little paintings.
• Sun printing kit — Encourage them to preserve their favorite plants or foliage with this time-honored technique.
• Rubber stamps — This pack contains butterflies, stars, and more!
• Glitter — Because let’s be honest: EVERYTHING is better with glitter.
• Mod Podge — A classic staple in any craft project.
• Mini balls of yarn — These yarn balls are great for embroidery but also friendship bracelets and keychains.
• Felt kit — You can make a tiny little bee with this easy felt kit.
• Modeling clay — There’s just something relaxing about playing with clay, even if your sculpting skills are not artist-level.
• Gold leaf flakes — Every project is better with a little gold, right?
• Paper punch — You can make tiny shapes with these little paper punches, from elephants to butterflies and more! 
• Photo corners — This scrapbook accessory is a great way to jazz up all your memories!
• Glue pen — Forget the stickiness of a glue bottle — this pen will satisfy all your gluing needs without the mess.
• Fringe scissors — Because every good craft project needs a set of scissors. 
• Thimble — Thimbles are just all-around cute, and these rainbow metallic ones are sure to stand out. 
• Custom book stamp — They’ll love getting crafty in their library with this custom library stamp.
• Origami paper — Cranes! Fish! Hearts! Let your creativity fly with this colorful origami kit. 
• Pom pom maker — These pom pom makers are endlessly adorable and easy to use for beginners and pro-crafters alike.
• Rainbow crayons — These creative crayons are basically every color in a crayon box all rolled into one.
• Washi tape — This colorful tape adds a bit of pizazz to any craft project. 
• Acrylic paints — Acrylic paints are the perfect sidekick to that mini canvas.
• Scissors sharpener — A scissor sharpener is a must so you never have to deal with a dull pair of scissors!
• Letter stencils — Not great at calligraphy? No problem! These stencils will help you craft the most beautiful lettering no matter what.
• Puffy paint — Stuck inside during the snow? Decorate some old T-shirts or hats with this cute and colorful puffy paint.
• Tie-dye kit — Tie-dye doesn’t have to just be for the summer, and this kit makes tie-dyeing anything a breeze.

If you are looking to fill your own advent calendar (or a friends!), these gift ideas are perfect.

• Luxe gummies — Inspired by champagne, this is the adult version of a kid favorite.
• Compact mirror — A bag essential! This one even includes little LED lights for checking your makeup at night.
• Bath bomb — A perfect way to encourage a little relaxation amid the holiday chaos is to take a bath with a bath bomb.
• Embroidered lavender sachets — Not only are these pretty, but they smell great too!
• Stylish phone stand — This trendy phone stand is compact and super versatile with its multiple flexible angles.
• Gift cards — Coffee? A favorite restaurant? The options here are limitless. You could even get them a Visa gift card so they can spend the money anywhere.
• Spice blends — Perhaps it will inspire a new dinner recipe!
• Mini perfume — Help them sample a new signature scent with a mini perfume that’s perfect for grab-and-go wear.
• Personalized stamp — Make all those holiday cards just a bit easier with personalized stamps.
• Handmade soap — Encourage a little R&R with some handmade soap.
• Ring holder — This cute ring holder is in the shape of a pup for the dog lover in your life.
• Travel size hand sanitizer — Obviously having hand sanitizer is imperative everywhere these days, so you might as well get some mini ones that smell like the holidays.
• Fancy marshmallows — Upgrade their seasonal hot cocoa with a few large and fluffy gourmet marshmallows.
• Flash drive — For an extra personal touch, pre-load it with special photos or a mix tape.
• Laptop stickers — Because laptops deserve to look cute too, so adorn it with adorable stickers.
• Photographs — Get some of your favorite family memories printed at Walmart.
• Lip balm — These little lip balms are just the right size for an Advent calendar. 
• Eye patches — A chaotic holiday calendar is no match for these soothing under-eye patches.
• Note pad — Streamline their holiday to-dos in style with this note pad.
• Dryer balls — These animal-shaped dryer balls are sustainable and cute.
• Shot glasses — Shot glasses are a classic gift, but these tumbler-inspired ones are sure to be a hit.
• Personalized keychain — Carve any message you want on these keychains, like notes of love or reminders to “drive safe.”
• Mini eyeshadow palette — This Revlon eyeshadow palette has an array of neutral shades and is the perfect size for traveling.
• Lip mask — This trending lip mask is the perfect overnight solution for chapped lips. Plus, it’s super compact meaning it can fit in the smallest calendars!
• Claw clips — A claw clip is the ultimate cool accessory these days, whether it’s being used to hold up your hair or just chilling on the edge of your shirt. 

Zero budget for your advent calendar? That’s OK, you can still provide a free, meaningful gift with these ideas.

• Backyard or patio campout
• Trip to the beach
• Fancy picnic in the park
• Stargazing night
• Night drive to look at festive lights
• Decorating the Christmas tree
• Takeout from your favorite restaurant
• A trip to the zoo or aquarium
• Family movie night
• Baking together
• Craft day for DIY holiday decorations
• Homemade pancakes for breakfast
• Making a gingerbread house
• Volunteering together as a family
• S’mores over a campfire
• Stay up past your bedtime
• Creating a popcorn garland together
• Caroling
• Making snow angels
• Ice skating
• Breakfast in bed
• A compliment or love note
• Love tokens (hugs and kisses)
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter
• Visit a nursing or retirement home and spend time with residents