How Do You Craft a Super Fun DIY Advent Calendar at Home?

You can make a totally adorable Christmas advent calendar with just a printer, some paper, and a few bucks’ worth of supplies. I’ve been whipping these up with my kids for our holiday traditions, and it’s honestly one of the best parts of December. No need for fancy store-bought calendars that cost $30 or more—this guide shows you how to create a paper cone advent calendar using free templates. It’s easy, cheap, and looks amazing on your shelf or mantel. Plus, it’s a blast for kids to help with. Here’s my step-by-step process, packed with tricks I’ve learned from years of gluey fingers and glitter messes.

What Do You Need to Make a DIY Advent Calendar?

Here’s my go-to list for making a sturdy, festive calendar:

• A printer (color’s awesome, but black-and-white does the job).
• Scissors for cutting out shapes.
• Packing tape or craft glue (I grab glue for $1.50 at the dollar store).
• Thick paper like cardstock ($3 for 20 sheets) or plain printer paper if you’re in a pinch.
• Decorations like stickers, markers, or glitter (raid your craft bin).
• Tiny treats or notes to hide inside each cone.

My hack: Packing tape is my lifesaver—it holds cones tight and doesn’t leave sticky blobs like glue. I learned this after my first calendar fell apart because I used cheap tape that peeled off overnight.

How Do You Print and Build a Cone Advent Calendar?

Start by snagging free printable templates online. I search for sets with:

• Big Christmas tree cones.
• Smaller tree cones.
• A Santa figure for extra charm.
• Tiny gift box shapes.
• Number labels (1–24) in red or brown.

Here’s how I put it together:

1. Print the templates on cardstock for a solid vibe. Regular paper works if you’re out of the good stuff.
2. Cut out each shape with scissors—take your time for neat edges.
3. Roll the tree templates into cones and secure with packing tape. I tape inside so it looks clean.
4. Decorate with stickers or markers. My son loves adding glitter, but I keep it minimal to avoid a sparkly floor.
5. Stick a number label (1–24) on each cone with a dab of glue.
6. Slip a treat or note under each cone and arrange them on a shelf or table.

My first calendar took me 90 minutes because I was figuring out the folds, but now I can make a cone in 8 minutes flat. I set up a 24-cone display on our fireplace mantel last year, and it cost me $4 total—way better than a $25 store version.

How Do You Make It a Fun Activity for Kids?

This calendar doubles as a kid-friendly project. My kids go nuts picking out treats and decorating cones. Here’s what I stuff inside:

• Mini toys or puzzle pieces (50 cents at thrift stores).
• Stickers or temporary tattoos (a $1 pack lasts forever).
• Handwritten jokes or silly notes (free!).
• Tiny candies (I split a $2 bag of chocolates across all cones).

I let my daughter doodle on the cones with markers or slap on dot stickers. Last Christmas, she covered a cone in star stickers, and it sparkled like crazy under our tree lights. If you’ve got multiple kids, use different colored labels—like red for one, brown for another—so they each have their own cones to open.

How Much Will This Cost You?

This is one of the cheapest holiday projects out there. You probably have most of the stuff already. My breakdown:

• Templates: Free online.
• Paper and ink: About $1.50 for 24 sheets.
• Tape or decorations: $0–$2 (I use leftover stickers).
• Treats: Around $4 for candies or small toys.

Compared to $20–$40 store-bought calendars, I made a whole set for under $8. My neighbor spent $30 on a fancy one, and my kids liked our homemade version better because they helped make it.

Where Can You Find Free Templates?

I dig around online for free, high-quality printable templates. Look for sets with:

• Big tree cones.
• Small tree cones.
• A Santa figure.
• Gift boxes.
• Red and brown number labels (1–24).

Search “free Christmas advent calendar printables” on Google, and you’ll find tons. I grabbed a cute set last year from a blog by searching “cone advent calendar templates.” Save the files to your computer and print at home. Just don’t sell the designs—they’re for personal use only.

Can Regular Printer Paper Work for the Cones?

Yup, plain printer paper is fine, but cardstock gives a sturdier, fancier look—like a watercolor painting. I’ve used both, and while cardstock folds cleaner, regular paper still looks cute. For a fun twist, I print some cones on thick paper and others on plain white for a mixed vibe. My first set was all printer paper because I ran out of cardstock, and it still looked great on our dining room table.

How Do You Store and Reuse the Calendar?

These calendars hold up for years if you’re careful. After the holidays, I flatten the cones and stash them in a shoebox with some old newspaper to keep them safe. Packing tape makes them tough, so they survive multiple seasons. I’ve reused the same set for two Christmases, just swapping out treats and adding new stickers for a fresh look. If a cone gets torn, I print a new one in 5 minutes.

What Are Your Best Tips for a Polished Look?

Here’s how I make my calendars look like they cost way more than they do:

• Practice cutting: Test on scrap paper to get smooth edges. My first cones were all jagged until I slowed down.
• Pick fun colors: Use gold markers or red stickers for holiday cheer. I did a blue-and-silver set one year that looked like an icy wonderland.
• Add a little sparkle: Dab on glitter or layer tissue paper for fluff. My son’s glitter cone was the star of our display last year.
• Tape smart: Stick tape inside the cones for a clean outside. Glue can make things look sloppy if you’re not careful.

Don’t stress about making it perfect—just start with a couple of cones. My first calendar was a bit crooked, but my kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. Grab some paper, print a template, and let your kids go wild with stickers. You’ll be shocked at how a $5 project can make your Christmas feel extra special and full of holiday magic.