Holidays & Occasions Christmas Heirloom Advent Calendars for a Classic Christmas By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. While some of us count the days to Christmas by the Hallmark movie calendar or the holiday television special schedule, we think an Advent calendar is one of the most special ways to count the days. We've already rounded up our favorite annual Advent calendars from brands like LEGO, Diptyque, and Cadbury, but no Christmas season would be complete without an heirloom, and these reusable and refillable Advent calendars have all the makings of a classic Christmas tradition. Unpacking and using one of these Advent calendars year after year is sure to become a special Christmastime tradition that you and your family will look forward to. Counting down the days each morning leading to Christmas is a beloved memory, a moment each day spent with the whole family in joyful celebration and anticipation of Christmas. And, if you've filled your Advent calendar with pieces of candy or small gifts, it is a thrill for the little ones and moment to savor for the rest of the family too. Whether your Advent calendar is filled with 12, 24, or 25 days of gifts or counts the days by adding characters to a nativity scene or ornaments to a Christmas tree, you'll look forward to this special tradition every December. Merry & Bright Advent Calendar potterybarnkids.com Buy it: $79, potterybarnkids.com Personalize this whimsical wool Advent calendar with your family name for an instant heirloom. Buy Now Gingerbread House Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $39.98, amazon.com This charming gingerbread house-themed Advent calendar doubles as adorable wintertime decor. Buy Now Snowman Advent Calendar surlatable.com Buy it: $50, surlatable.com You'll be dreaming of a snowy season with this smiling snowman Advent Calendar. Buy Now Melissa & Doug Wooden Advent Calendar www.nordstrom.com Buy it: $19.95, www.nordstrom.com This wooden Advent calendar uses festive ornaments and a star topper to count the days left until Christmas. Buy Now Reindeer Painted Advent Calendar potterybarnkids.com Buy it: $159, potterybarnkids.com This lovely (and personalizable!) Advent calendar is made of hand-painted and silkscreened linen-canvas. It's ready to be hung; all it needs is for you to hide goodies within. Buy Now Merry Mod Advent Calendar landofnod.com Buy it: $49, landofnod.com Tuck small gifts for your little ones into this sweet advent calendar for a special yearly tradition. Buy Now Holiday Lane Wood Christmas Tree Advent Calendar macys.com Buy it: $86, macys.com Count down the days to Christmas using this pretty potted Christmas tree design with seasonal, numbered wooden ornaments. Buy Now 3D Merry & Bright Snowman Advent Calendar potterybarnkids.com Buy it: $129, potterybarnkids.com This cheeky wool snowman is clad in a top hat and pom-pom scarf—and he's an Advent calendar! Buy Now Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $37.49, amazon.com Each pocket of this calendar is filled with a stuffed figure to add to the nativity scene each day in December. Buy Now Christmas Tree Advent Calendar neimanmarcus.com Buy it: $98, neimanmarcus.com If you're looking for a beautiful Advent calendar to treasure year after year, this ornately designed Christmas Tree-themed one should be on your list. Buy Now Stocking Advent Calendar Garland landofnod.com Buy it: $69, landofnod.com This Advent calendar brings new meaning to "hanging the stockings by the chimney with care." Buy Now Holiday Helper Advent Calendar landofnod.com Buy it: $79, landofnod.com Treat your holiday helper to this adorable calendar. You can order the calendar by itself, or you can order it already filled with precious toys. Buy Now Christmas Tree Fabric Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $38.95, amazon.com Thanks to this festive Advent calendar, you'll be decorating the Christmas tree every day until the 25th. Buy Now Tall Snowman Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $49.99, amazon.com This cheery snowman design has 24 drawers for Advent gifting. Buy Now Telluride Advent Calendar potterybarnkids.com Buy it: $79, potterybarnkids.com The pockets on this traditional, appliqued design are perfectly sized for tiny gifts or special Christmastime messages. Buy Now Nativity Scene Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $44.99, amazon.com Celebrate the season by displaying this beautiful wooden Advent calendar with a nativity scene centerpiece. Buy Now Dylan's Candy Bar House Advent Calendar landofnod.com Buy it: $69, landofnod.com Add a sweet touch to your Advent calendar tradition with this fun design inspired by Dylan's Candy Bar. Buy Now Gilt Galvanized Advent Calendar potterybarn.com Buy it: $169, potterybarn.com The gleaming cups affixed to this handsome Advent calendar are framed with pine and finished with hand-painted gold gilt. Buy Now Magnetic Christmas Tree Advent Calendar etsy.com Buy it: From $79.99, etsy.com This cool steel tree is dressed up with numbered holiday ornaments throughout the month of December. Buy Now Kurt Adler Peanuts Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $27.50, amazon.com Charlie Brown and the crew add a festive and nostalgic touch to this fun Advent calendar. Buy Now Holly Jolly Christmas Magnetic Wooden Advent Calendar amazon.com Buy it: $17.99, amazon.com Decorate the kids' room with this cute Advent calendar, and let the them decorate their own Christmas tree—sans falling evergreen needles. Buy Now Kurt Adler Wooden Nativity Advent Calendar with 24 Magnetic Pieces amazon.com Buy it: $125, amazon.com As you open the doors each day, you'll find a different character to add to the nativity scene. Buy Now Make Your Own Christmas Advent Calendar When it comes to Christmas, we can hardly contain our excitement as each day passes, getting us one step closer to our favorite day of the year. And, when December finally rolls around, we're quick to break out the advent calendar to help us count down each day until this special day. Now, there are plenty of adorable advent calendars out there you can buy to get the whole family in the spirit; but sometimes it's more fun to make your own. This DIY Advent Calendar really shows what some hot glue, felt, and store-bought yardsticks can get done, and you can pick any holiday-patterned paper you like to customize it. Make it a family activity, complete with hot chocolate, or a festive solo project while singing along to your favorite Christmas songs. It's sure to delight your crowd if you stash a little money, treats, or Bible verses in the paper pockets! Here are the wood sizes you'll need. Start with five 24-inch yard sticks, and cut down to the sizes below: One 23-inch pieceOne 20-inch pieceOne 17-inch pieceOne 12-inch pieceOne 9.5-inch piece Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit