A DIY advent calendar is the paper project that sets the tone for all of December. With printable paper you can make 24 envelopes, boxes or tags that all match, print spares if a child opens one early, and reuse the same files next year. This guide covers four advent calendar styles you can make at home, with sizes, paper weights and the packs we would pick.
What you need
- One or two printable paper packs. A pack of 20 coordinating papers is enough for 24 pockets if you repeat a few of the quieter patterns.
- Paper: 24 to 32 lb text paper for folded envelopes, 65 to 80 lb cardstock for boxes and tags. Our paper weight guide explains the difference.
- Numbers 1 to 24: stickers, stamps, a cutting machine or handwritten tags.
- Glue stick or double-sided tape, ribbon or twine, mini pegs or a board to hang everything on.
Print from the Letter or A4 PDF in the pack. If colors look darker than on screen, see printing problems and fixes before you print all 24.
1. Envelope advent garland
The classic and the quickest. Fold 24 envelopes from Letter sheets using the diamond fold in our tags and envelopes guide, or cut smaller envelopes from half sheets for notes and activity cards. Number the flaps, fill them and peg them along a ribbon across a mantel or window.
Tip: alternate a bold hero print with plaids and stripes from the same pack so the garland looks planned rather than random.
2. Small box calendar
For treats and tiny gifts, print box templates on 65 lb cardstock and fold 24 small boxes. Wrap plain boxes with a printed band if you prefer store-bought kraft boxes. Stack them into a tree shape on a tray, or line them up on a shelf in rows of six.
3. Advent tags on a branch
Print a sheet of tags (8 to 12 per Letter sheet on 80 lb cardstock), number them, and hang them from a branch or a small tree. Write an activity on the back of each one: bake cookies, watch a Christmas film, write a card to a grandparent. Activity tags work well for families who want fewer sweets in December.
4. Pocket wall calendar
Glue 24 small pockets onto a large board or a 12 x 12 page grid. Print the background from the 12 x 12 JPG at a print shop, or tile Letter sheets edge to edge. Pockets cut from different papers in the pack make a patchwork that looks like a quilt. Our 12×12 printing guide covers the options.
Pick a style for your calendar
- Traditional reds and greens: Vintage Poinsettia Charm, Berry Pine Trees or Farmhouse Christmas.
- Folk and Scandinavian: Yuletide Folk Village or Gingerbread Cottage.
- Night sky and candlelight: Silent Star Carol, Candlelit Solstice or Midnight Chime Reverie.
- Playful for kids: Candy Cane Hearth, Retro Mint Stars or Holiday Bauble Joy.
Vintage Poinsettia Charmfrom $4.99
Yuletide Folk Villagefrom $4.99
Silent Star Carolfrom $4.99
Candy Cane Hearthfrom $4.99Make it reusable
Laminate the number tags or print them on heavy cardstock, and store the envelopes flat in a folder in January. Because you keep the files, you can print fresh pockets next year in the same pattern, or switch to a new palette. A family advent calendar you make for your own home is covered by the Personal license. If you want to sell finished calendars, check the limits in that guide first.
More December projects
The same pack will cover your cards, tags and wrap, see Christmas digital paper ideas, paper Christmas ornaments and Christmas scrapbook layouts for the photos you take along the way. For every Christmas pack in one download, see the Christmas Digital Paper Collection, or browse all Christmas digital paper.
