Before you deck the halls, make sure you have your advent calendar ready so you can count down the days to the night before Christmas. It's a tradition that my kids enjoy so much, we have a few set up around the house to remind us how much longer they have to wait for their favorite day to arrive. And whether you are super crafty, want to print a DIY calendar at home, or would rather purchase something you can use year after year, we've rounded up a dozen options for you to have ready by the first of December.
Prices and retailers have been updated for 2015.
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Related: 15 of the absolute coolest Advent calendars of 2015
A Bubbly Life's DIY Advent Calendar Imagine the awwww's you'll hear when your child opens one of 24 small kraft boxes each day and finds a painted plastic animal that is adorably dressed for the holidays with a bright-red Rudolph nose. Meri Meri's Make-Your-Own 3D Advent Village Fold your own colorful little village, complete with three Christmas characters, to create the sweetest decoration you can build upon each day leading up to Christmas. ($15 at Land of Nod) Garnet Hill Hats and Mittens Advent Calendar The advent calendar I'd knit myself, if I could only knit, these adorably tiny Fair Isle hats and mittens form a festive garland to hang on a mantel or above your little elf's bed. Maybe it'll bring on dreams of a White Christmas? ( $98, but often on sale) Sugar House Shop's DIY Reindeer Advent Calendar Create your own colorful reindeer advent calendar with Sugar House Shop's downloadable instructions. I love how Rudolph's antlers get fancier every day and know my kids would adore helping to decorate Santa's helper. ($18 for downloadable PDF pattern) Sam Osborne Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar Replace your regular monthly calendar with this colorful Scandinavian-flavored Christmas Countdown that reveals a new full-page image each day leading up to the 25th. ($23.42 at the Sam Osborne Etsy shop) Sam Osborne Printable Advent Calendar I adore the modern colors and fun illustrations from the same artist on her printable DIY Advent calendar. Open a new window each day to reveal a beautifully drawn image. ($4.48 for printable file)Related: 6 printable Advent calendars we love
Land of Nod Urban Pine Advent Calendar Traditional Christmas colors with modern shapes come together for a striking advent calendar with pouches in which to hide notes or small gifts. My kids are hoping for candy. (No longer available, sniff) A Lovely Lark's Christmas Forest Printable Advent Calendar Love that the kids could help decorate the Christmas trees that make up the forest in this free printable advent calendar. And on the 24th, you-know-who shows up to add to the excitement of the season. (free printable) Christmas Tree Advent Calendar Each drawer on this pretty pinewood tree has just enough space for a tiny treat. The best things come in small packages, right? ($62, Burke Decor) Spann & Willis Personalized Advent Calendar This cloth hanging advent calendar becomes your own when you have it personalized with your kids' names and when you pick what gifts you'd like to tie to each day's package. ($30, the Spann & Willis Etsy shop) Purl Soho Advent Calendar Kit This gorgeous advent calendar kit at Martha Stewart's American Made ebay shop from one of our favorite ever craft shops, Purl Soho, is perfect for those with the crafting gene who would love to splurge on a soon-to-be holiday heirloom to unpack every year. ($98, ebay) Tomfo's Free Printable Santa Advent Calendar The kids will have so much fun filling in Santa's beard using a single cotton ball each day leading up to Christmas. This black-and-white d free printable is particularly striking though it also comes in a pretty blue color too. (free printable) Want even more options? Check out our previous years' picks for the coolest advent calendars: 2013: 9 of the most wonderful Advent calendars 2012: 6 printable Advent calendars 2011: 10 spectacular advent calendars worthy of Christmas 2010: 5 fabulous Advent Calendars that countdown to Christmas in style 2009: Cool Advent Calendar Ideas? Reader Q&A 2008: The Coolest Advent Calendars
