44 Days ’Til Christmas – Plan Your Advent Calendar Activities

This post is part of the 100 Days ’til Christmas Challenge — one small step each day to make the holiday season less stressful and a lot more fun.

Every December, I tell myself I’m going to slow down and savor the season. Then somehow, by mid-month, I’m juggling a classroom party, a cookie exchange, and trying to remember where I hid the stocking stuffers.

That’s exactly why I love planning our Advent calendar activities ahead of time. It takes the guesswork out of December and replaces it with small, intentional moments — the ones we actually want to remember.

If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for ideas mid-December (and ending up with “watch a movie… again”), this is your reminder to plan it now while your coffee is still hot and your to-do list isn’t screaming.

Today, we’re going to:

• Choose your Advent calendar style
• Pick 25 activities to fill it with
• Grab a printable planner to organize everything
• And, if you’re ready to go all in, I’ve created a full printable Advent Kit you can grab in my Etsy shop.

Let’s make December magical — and manageable.

✨ Why Planning Now Makes December Easier

Advent calendars are meant to be fun — but if you’re winging it day by day, they can quickly turn into one more thing on your plate. Planning ahead lets you:

• Stay balanced. Mix busy days with simple, cozy ones.
• Avoid last-minute stress. You’ll have time to gather small supplies early.
• Stay intentional. You can build in giving, creativity, and rest.

And the best part? You’ll actually do the things you always talk about doing — baking cookies, delivering treats, watching those classic movies.

🎁 How to Build Your Own Advent Calendar

Choose Your Style

Use what you already have — small envelopes, mini bags, a chalkboard, or even clothespins on a string. The fun is in the reveal, not the fancy setup.

Pick a Theme

Think about what your family needs most this year:

• Fun & Festive: activities, crafts, baking, lights
• Cozy & Simple: movies, books, slow nights at home
• Kindness & Gratitude: acts of giving, service, connection

Plan the Flow

Put bigger activities (baking, outings) on weekends, and simple ones (reading, cocoa, crafts) on weeknights.

Gather Supplies

Before December hits, pull together:

• Envelopes or tags
• Slips of paper for your activities
• Small treats or trinkets
• Printable cards (you’ll find some in the Holiday Hub)

🎨 25 Fun Advent Calendar Activities

Here are 25 of my favorite family-friendly ideas to get you started:

🎨 Craft & Create

1. Make paper snowflakes
2. Make homemade ornaments
3. Build a gingerbread house (kits count!)
4. Make a Christmas craft — reindeer, handprints, or anything with glitter
5. Make reindeer food to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve

🍪 Bake & Taste

6. Bake Christmas cookies
7. Make hot cocoa with all the toppings
8. Bake for the neighbors
9. Have a pajama + pancake dinner night
10. Host a cookie-tasting night

💖 Give & Share

11. Donate toys or clothes
12. Write holiday cards for family or neighbors
13. Do a random act of kindness
14. Leave candy canes in random spots
15. Deliver coffee or treats to a delivery driver

🎬 Cozy Family Fun

16. Write letters to Santa
17. Family movie night
18. Decorate the tree (or a mini one)
19. Read a Christmas book before bed
20. Family game night
21. Watch a classic Christmas special (Rudolph or Charlie Brown!)
22. Have a family photo night
23. Read The Night Before Christmas
24. Go see Christmas lights
25. Open a Christmas Eve box — PJs, popcorn, and a family movie

🎄 Get the Full 50 Advent Activities + Planner Pages — Free!

✨ Want even more ideas?
When you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll get free access to the Holiday Hub, where you can download the mini Advent Calendar Planning Kit.

Inside you’ll find:
• The complete list of 50 Advent Activities
• A filled-in Advent Planner with items to buy & checkboxes
• A blank version to plan your own

🗓️ Your Day’s To-Dos (44 Days ’Til Christmas Checklist)

• Choose your Advent Calendar theme (fun, cozy, giving, or mix).
• Pick your favorite 24 activities from today’s list.
• Visit the Holiday Hub to download the full 50 activities + planner pages.
• Optional: Grab the full printable Advent Calendar Kit from Etsy to build your envelopes and inserts.

Make It Extra Special – The Complete Advent Calendar Kit