45 Unique Christmas Countdown Ideas

This cute DIY is so easy to make and can be done with things you already have around the house. Fill the muffin tin with small candies, gifts, or activity cards!

I'm not a big fan of chocolate advent calendars, so here's some ideas for non-chocolate ones that you can buy.

Make everyone's holiday season bright with a random acts of kindness Christmas countdown. This one has a tutorial to make the little boxes and a printable for the acts.

I love upcycling projects! This advent calendar is made from a recycled dictionary (although you could use other books too.)

I've done the Christmas book advent calendar before and it's always a hit with the kids. You could also use library books, just ask the staff to extend the due date.

This tin can advent calendar is another great way to use recycled materials. You'll have to start saving your cans early but the result is pretty cool!

I love the colours of this advent calendar! Although it's supposed to be a nativity, you could just follow the DIY instructions for the hanging advent calendar and add whatever you like in the pockets.

If you want something simple this printable works well. Maybe for a classroom?

These are great ideas for Christmas themed activates that you can put in any advent calendar.

When did paper chains stop being popular anyway? This quick and easy countdown is super fun to craft and makes for a cool visual for younger kids.

It's no secret that I love LEGO on this blog, but I normally just pick up the LEGO brand advent calendars for my kids. I love this idea because you can repurpose your existing LEGO for cute mini builds!

I love unique advent calendar ideas like this! Instead of toys or treats, kids can do a different STEM activity each day.

This is such a cute DIY idea. You can make your own Christmas countdown, or adapt it for other holidays too.

This is another printable Christmas countdown idea that doesn't take a lot of extra work. Great for busy families!

This is another random acts of kindness advent calendar, this time in printable form.

I like this craft idea because it's something kids can do themselves, too.

Why does everything have to be for kids? This is one of the best Christmas countdown ideas for adults on this list.

If you want to work some fine motor practice into your countdown this printable is a great way. I especially like the idea of trimming Santa's beard!

Not everyone is super crafty so I like how simple this homemade Christmas countdown is.

Kids can help put this one together! Plus it doubles as a kid-friendly decoration to hang throughout December.

If you want to do activities in your advent calendar but need inspiration this post has 30 printable advent activities for kids.

This Christmas countdown calendar is really unique! If you sew and knit then you probably have everything on hand to make it too.

This is a great project if you're someone who loves to sew or wants to learn. You can make it match your home by changing the fabric, too.

I love fabric advent calendars and this one is really cute. I like the way the ornaments are hung on buttons rather than snapped on.

You can print out this calendar to do alongside of another advent calendar or add some of the random acts of kindness to another DIY advent calendar.

This is another easy advent calendar that's also a great craft for younger kids.

I don't know about you, but my kids use way too much toilet paper and we always have rolls for craft projects. This one recycles them into an advent calendar!

I LOVE this idea - how unique! It would also make a great gift idea.

Quick and easy are two words I love as a parent. This calendar delivers, but it's still fun and cute for kids.

If you're looking for an advent calendar project that fits with your home's decor, this is it. I love the farmhouse style!

This is a cute twist on typical advent calendars. Kids can open little gifts every day!

It's not quite an advent calendar but this Christmas bucket list is too much fun to include. You could try and complete one item each day leading up to Christmas!

These could be set up as an invitation to play each morning, a daytime activities for at-home toddlers and preschoolers, or after school fun for elementary aged kids.

OK, this is way too cute. Each item in the "village" can be filled with an advent surprise!

Kids get enough treats and toys for Christmas so activities can be a really fun way to spend the holidays. This post has a printable book full of ideas that you can do as a family or add to another advent calendar.

These little boxes are super cute and easy to make, perfect for busy families to fill.

Another simple one and I am here for it. Using disposable cups is ingenious!

I like this one because it would be great for couples and older kids too.

Another awesome homemade option that will look great hanging in your house!

This printable calendar is a simple way to include some Christmas activities in each day.

It's nice to see some reusable advent calendars out there so you don't have to remake it each year. Next time all you have to do is fill the boxes!

Kids could each make their own and these make a cute gift idea too.

This is another one of those easy and unique Christmas countdown ideas that I would never have thought of. I love the use of a mini tree!

This stocking advent calendar is made with the circuit and the results are super cute.

Another paper chain countdown, this one is a bit different though. I love the idea of making them holiday themed!