50 Advent Calendar Gift Ideas You’ll Love (That Fit in the Smallest Boxes!)
The holiday season is the perfect time to sprinkle a little magic into each day, and an advent calendar is one of my favorite ways to make the countdown feel extra special. Whether you’re filling tiny boxes, little doors, or your own DIY creation, these advent calendar gift ideas are a fun way to surprise someone you love all month long!
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From Thrift Store Find to Advent Calendar
Have you ever bought something at a thrift store simply because it whispered possibility to you? Even if you had zero idea what you’d actually do with it?
Well… let me introduce you to the thrifted treasure that’s been gathering dust in my house for three years.
I’m still not sure what the official name is. A trinket shelf? A tchotchke display house? Whatever it is, it’s the sweetest little wooden house with the most gorgeous warm finish and dozens of tiny nooks and crannies.
The moment I spotted it on the shelf (marked $25!), I grabbed it like someone was about to snatch it right out of my hands.
Mine!
And then… it sat.
For three years.
And Then It Hit Me…
Every so often, I’d walk by, admire the little “rooms,” and think, One day, I’ll figure out what you want to be.
And then one day, it hit me. I counted the open spaces that were actually accessible.
Twenty-five.
A perfect number.
Suddenly, I wasn’t staring at a dusty wooden tchotchke house. I was staring at the perfect Advent calendar!
I gave it a gentle wipe-down, started gathering tiny trinket-sized boxes, and before long, I had the most charming little Christmas house glowing with holiday spirit.
The larger cubbies held small red boxes tied with red velvet bows.
The side “balconies,” however, were way too small for even my tiniest boxes.
But then I perched a red velvet ring box on one of the railings and…oh my goodness…it looked downright magical…as if Santa dropped off a surprise and tiptoed away!
I found a cute little set of wood advent calendar numbers and affixed them to each of the boxes.
But then came the challenge…
What on earth do you fill all these little boxes with?
Sure, I could toss in candy canes and tiny chocolates (and I did sprinkle a few in!).
But I wanted a mix…a blend of small gifts, tiny sweet treats, thoughtful surprises, and budget-friendly delights.
I wanted the person opening each little box, door, or drawer to feel that little spark that comes with daily surprises. You know… the best part of an Advent calendar.
So down the rabbit hole I went…brainstorming, list-making, remembering things I used last year. I even wandered the aisles of my local dollar store.
And now, I’m passing every fun idea along to you.
Before we dive in, here’s a quick refresher:
What Is an Advent Calendar?
Traditionally, Advent calendars mark the days leading up to Christmas, beginning on December 1 and counting through Christmas Eve.
Some traditional calendars start on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, but most of ours today follow the December 1–24 countdown.
Each day, you open a little door, drawer, or bag to discover something special inside.
Today, they’re not just chocolate calendars or photo calendars. There are days of beauty advent calendars, tea advent calendars, children’s advent calendars, and some of the best advent calendars are reusable advent calendars you fill yourself.
Creating your own DIY advent calendar is a fun tradition, a great way to personalize the Christmas countdown, and honestly, a lovely creative challenge.
Whatever type of calendar you choose, the main thing is simple:
Fill it with joy.
And tiny things.
Lots of tiny things!
50 Advent Calendar Gift Ideas (Plus a Bonus!)
These advent calendar filler ideas are cute, fun, budget-friendly, and are generally a good size for a wooden advent calendar, a house-shaped one like mine, or a set of little bags.
And yes, they work beautifully as stocking stuffer ideas too!
I’ve included sweet treats, small items, beauty products, Christmas activities, practical goodies, and a few whimsical surprises. Mix and match depending on your age group or theme!
Sweet Treats & Yummy Goodies
(Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!)
- Foil-wrapped chocolate
- Mini candy canes
- Hot chocolate sachets (folded)
- Flavored caramels
- Push pop candy
- A red reindeer nose (I wrapped a reindeer nose around the entire box!)
- Tiny mints in a Christmas tin
- Pieces of candy in fun flavors
- A different flavor of tea for tea lovers
- Mini marshmallows in a tiny bag
Beauty Products & Self-Care Minis
(Great for older kids, teens, and adults.)
- Lip balm (love this “12 Days of Joy” lip balm set!)
- Nail polish (mini)
- Face masks (folded)
- Hair accessories (barrettes, ribbons, or Christmas scrunchies)
- Hair care sample packets
- Bath bombs (small or halved)
- Skin care samples (under-eye masks are awesome!)
- Essential oils mini vials
- Tiny hand cream (Christmas themed!)
- Whimsical magnet (I found the cutest little red bow magnet at the thrift store. Here is a similar one.)
Fun Toys & Small Surprises
(Great for young kids and adults!)
- Small toys like wind-up mini cars or tiny animals
- Puzzle pieces for a Christmas puzzle...one per day! (Work on the puzzle throughout the month and add the missing pieces from the calendar.)
- Glow-in-the-dark stars
- Mini fidget toy
- Lego-style bricks (a few each day)
- Rubber duck
- Tiny plastic dinosaurs
- Whimsical erasers
- Temporary tattoos
- Christmas ring (yes, please!)
Creative & Artsy Goodies
(For crafty hearts of every age)
- Washi tape (mini rolls)
- Small stickers or sticker strips
- Craft supplies like sequins
- Mini stamp
- Tiny skein of yarn or embroidery floss
- Art supplies like mini watercolor pans
- Origami paper squares
- Little notebook or folded journal card
- Clip-on charm for a bag or zipper
- A packet of seeds
Practical & Useful Treats
(Great for adults, older kids, and the whole family)
- Gift cards (yes—they fit!)
- Lottery tickets
- Lip gloss minis
- Keychain light
- Mini sewing kit
- Bookmark
- Essential oil-infused towelette
- Mini tape measure
- A folded list of Christmas activities
- Tiny devotional or quote card
Bonus Idea: A Note for Christmas Day
Slip a final note into the last box for Christmas morning. It could be:
- “Check under the Christmas tree…” (leading to a small gift)
- “Hot cocoa and Christmas movies?”
- “One more surprise is waiting!”
This is a perfect way to wrap up the Christmas countdown with a little extra delight.
Tips for Creating Your Own Advent Calendar
If you’re making your own advent calendar…whether it’s a thrifted wooden house like mine, a set of little bags, or a wooden advent calendar with numbered doors…here are a few tricks:
Choose an age group.
Young kids love small toys and candy. Teen girls love beauty products, hair accessories, and small accessories. A college student might adore gift cards, lottery tickets, and yummy treats.
Mix practical and fun.
A couple of bath bombs next to a few sweet treats next to one or two lottery tickets makes everything feel exciting.
Think of the whole family.
You can even make a family advent calendar with one small shared surprise each day…like a Christmas activity or a mini ornament for the tree.
Check your local dollar store.
It’s a great place to find tiny chocolates, candy canes, art supplies, and little gifts for very little money.
Go homemade.
Homemade advent calendar fillers are always appreciated—tiny notes, puzzle pieces, folded quotes, or even photo calendars printed small.
Think ahead for next year.
Reusable advent calendars like my thrift-store house are a great value because you can refill them year after year. This time of year, thrift stores and holiday clearance aisles are gold mines for future projects.
The Best Part?
Filling your own advent calendar is a fun way to embrace the holiday season.
Whether you use traditional calendars, homemade advent calendars, or fun DIY displays like my thrifted house, the joy is all in the details.
The tiny boxes.
The little doors.
The daily surprises.
The excitement of discovering different things tucked inside each space.
And once you start this fun tradition, I promise… you’ll already be planning your fillings for next year.
Cheers!
A Little About Me
Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!
“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”
I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.
I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!
– cheers –
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Advent Calendars You’ll Love
