24 Days ’Til Christmas – Advent Calendar Checklist: Quick Things to Review

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.

December 1 is a special day in our house because it’s my oldest son’s birthday. And years ago, our elf decided this was the perfect day to show up with Advent calendars for all three kids as “birthday gifts.” Since he can’t be here for the other two birthdays, he makes up for it today. It’s become one of those tiny family traditions that marks the real start of the holiday season for us.

If today kicks off Advent for your family too, this is just a calm check-in to make sure your plans match your real life. Think of it as a simple advent calendar checklist you can skim through so the next 24 days feel doable, not overwhelming.

Review Your Advent Calendar Plan

Before the day gets away from you, take a quick look at whatever Advent setup you’re doing — activities, treats, verses, acts of kindness, or a mix of everything.

Use this simple advent calendar checklist mindset:

• Does anything feel over the top for this week?
• Are there evenings where you’ll be too busy to pull something off?
• Would a couple of “easy night” swaps help?
• Do you need one or two simple fillers to get through the week?

If you need fresh activity ideas or want to adjust your list, add your link here:
➡️ Check out 44 Days ’Til Christmas – Plan Your Advent Calendar Activities
(It’s full of simple ideas you can plug in anytime.)

A tiny change now can make the whole week feel lighter.

Double-Check Your Elf on the Shelf Plan

You don’t need your whole month mapped out — just look at the next three to five nights.

If you already created your elf plan, you can:

• Swap anything complicated
• Prep one or two very simple backups
• Match big setups with nights you aren’t busy
• Give yourself permission to simplify (the kids never notice)

Add your link here:
➡️ Check out 43 Days ’til Christmas – Plan with these Elf on the Shelf Ideas (24 Days of Mischief)
(Perfect for quick, low-effort ideas.)

Think of this as the elf portion of your advent calendar checklist — just a light reset.

A Quick “In-a-Pinch” Kit for Advent or Elf Emergencies

We all have nights where we forget to move the elf or realize the activity we planned is… NOT happening. Having a few tiny, inexpensive items in a drawer can save you on those nights.

Little Items That Save the Day

• Stickers (holiday, stars, silly faces)
• Mini candy canes
• Hot cocoa packets
• A couple of wrapped chocolates
• Holiday pencils
• Dollar-store craft supplies
• Mini ornaments
• Washi tape
• Post-it notes (great for quick elf messages)
• A bookmark or tiny trinket
• Ribbons or twine
• A few blank notecards for emergency Advent “kindness” prompts

Super Simple Activity Fillers

• “Read a Christmas book together”
• “Drive around to look at lights”
• “Make hot cocoa after dinner”
• “Pick a favorite Christmas song”
• “Color a holiday page”
• “Ten-minute family tidy” (elves love tidy spaces)
• “Do something kind today”
• “Watch a short holiday trailer or video”

Backup Elf Ideas That Require Almost Nothing

• Elf holding a pencil with a note
• Elf hiding in a stocking
• Elf laying in a bowl like it’s a hot tub
• Elf hanging out of a kitchen cabinet
• Elf wrapped in a tiny bit of toilet paper
• Elf sitting with a book
• Elf spelling something with cereal
• Elf next to a small treat
• Elf taking a nap in a tissue box

Even having just a handful of these on hand can save you when the night gets away from you.

Refresh Your December Basket

If you haven’t done this yet, it takes five minutes and will save you twelve headaches later.

Gather a few basics into one spot:

• Tape
• Scissors
• Gift bags or wrapping paper
• Stickers
• Small treats
• Batteries
• Markers and pens
• Ribbon or twine
• A little something for you

This becomes your go-to bin for nightly Advent and Elf setups.

Look Ahead at Your Week

Take a quick look at your calendar:

• Do you have concerts, finals, or sports this week?
• Are there nights where you know you’ll be exhausted?
• Would an easy night help keep the whole week smoother?

A flexible advent calendar checklist isn’t about doing everything — it’s about choosing what fits your real life.

Give yourself permission to adjust as needed.

Make a Quick “Need to Grab” List

Nothing fancy — just jot down anything you notice you’re low on:

• Treats
• Craft supplies
• Wrapping materials
• Extra batteries
• A small elf prop
• Anything else missing from your advent calendar checklist

Add these to your next regular store run so you stay ahead.

Grab Any Advent or Elf Printables You Missed

If you didn’t download the Advent printables, Elf planner, or earlier challenge resources, you’ll find all of them inside the Holiday Hub.

The sign-up box below will get you instant access to everything.

Daily To-Dos

• Skim your advent calendar checklist.
• Adjust anything that feels unrealistic.
• Prep or simplify this week’s elf setups.
• Refresh your December basket.
• Add any supplies you need to a small list.
• Enjoy the official start of Advent.