This year, our advent calendar is all about making memories, with zero waste and non-item-based fillers.
Our advent calendar tradition began when my son was just one year old. I’m glad we started it because it makes each Christmas feel more special and fun for the whole family.
This year, I decided to make the holiday season even more meaningful by taking a minimalist and eco-friendly approach.
Spread joy, not waste!
First of all, toys are great, and my child absolutely loves his collection. I won’t deny that they bring him plenty of joy and happiness.
But as I made this year’s advent calendar, I started thinking about how to enrich his holiday experience with moments that aren’t just about “things.” Now that he’s a bit older and more aware of the season, I want him to discover joy and happiness beyond material possessions.
Secondly, while Christmas can be wonderful with all its lovely ornaments and decorations, it can also be wasteful. It adds to overflowing landfills, and for some reason, it makes me feel guilty to constantly contribute to that.
This holiday season, I want to prioritise sustainability and make an effort to go greener. I’m trying to cut down our impact on the environment by sticking to materials that are either reusable, recyclable, or low-waste.
So instead of buying more toys, I focus on filling the advent calendar with small activities and non-tangible surprises that create meaningful moments and encourage us to spend more time together.
Here’s an Instagram reel showing how my simple, non-toy-based 2024 advent calendar turned out:
DIY easy advent calendar with reusable materials
This is probably the easiest and laziest advent calendar I’ve ever made. It’s simple, versatile, and can be put together pretty quickly!
Supplies & materials
- 24pcs of envelopes (any sizes you want, mine is 8x13cm)
- Canva app (you can download for free!)
- A4 or letter size paper
- Printer
- 24 pcs of wooden clothespin
- Twine
Step by step
Step 1: Download the Canva app if you haven’t already. Start a new project with A4 size or letter size, depending on the paper that you’re going to print on.
Step 2: Go to “Templates” and search for “advent calendar.” You’ll find plenty of beautiful designs to choose from—simply pick one that you like!
Step 3: You can customise each date by adjusting the element sizes or changing the font of the numbers as desired, but I decided to just print them as it is to save time.
If you want to speed things up, feel free to use the template I that prepared on Canva here—just print and cut! You’ll need Canva Pro to remove the logo.
Step 4: Once you’re happy with the design, download all the pages so you can print them.
Step 5: Send the files to your printer and print them. Then use scissors to trim each date.
Step 6: Insert your fillers into each envelope, fold them closed, and secure the printed date together with a clothespin. You can add small items like stickers or toys, but if you’re interested in non-item-based activities, I’ll cover those ideas later, so keep reading!
Step 7: Hang them on a twine, and you’re done!
Personally, I like to print them separately so I can reuse the envelopes, but if printing isn’t an option, you can simply write the dates directly on the envelopes.
Display your environmentally conscious advent calendar as you count down the days to Christmas.
Non-item-based advent calendar ideas for kids
This year, our advent calendar is all about creating experiences and memories through simple activities that allow us to spend quality time together. So instead of toys and treats, I prepared 24 small prompts for activities we’ll do each day.
I decided to get a little creative by designing each prompt on Canva with small graphic illustrations. But to keep it simple, you can just write down the activities instead. After all, the real “gift” is the experience itself.
Here are 24 non-physical advent calendar activity prompts I prepared for my kids, for your inspiration:
1. Visit a holiday light display
Take a drive or walk around to admire holiday light displays. Orchard Road is the way to go if you’re in Singapore, as it’s beautifully decorated with festive lights and stunning displays during the holiday season.
2. Nature treasure hunt
Head outside for a short walk together! Look for leaves, sticks, or small rocks to bring home as natural decor or craft supplies. It adds a touch of nature to your holiday setup.
3. Holiday-themed DIY crafts
DIY projects are a great way to spend time together. Get creative with simple holiday crafts, such as making paper snowflakes, creating handprint art, painting ornaments, or using natural objects to craft something special.
4. Make holiday cards
Use colourful paper, markers, or stickers to create holiday cards together. For younger children, you can help them trace their hands to make simple drawings. Write a sweet message inside and give the cards to family or friends.
5. Dress-up day
Playing dress-up is a fun way for kids to use their imagination and get into the holiday spirit. They can pretend to be Santa, an elf, a reindeer, or any favourite holiday character on a make-believe adventure.
6. Plan a picnic indoor
Setting up an indoor picnic is a fun way to create a special moment with your kids. Spread a blanket on the floor, prepare some snacks, and enjoy a cosy meal together. It’s a simple activity that brings extra joy to a regular day.
7. Gift wrapping day
Set up a gift wrapping station with paper, tape, and ribbons. Let the kids help wrap presents or add their own decorations. It’s a fun way to share the excitement of giving!
8. Volunteer or donate together
Teach your child the joy of giving back to spread holiday cheer. Spend time volunteering or donating toys, clothes, or food to those in need.
9. Make a gratitude tree
Create a gratitude tree by cutting out paper leaves. Write something you’re thankful for each day and add it to the tree. It’s a lovely way to reflect on the blessings of the season.
10. Sing Christmas carols together
Pick your favourite Christmas carols and sing together. You can even make it a mini concert, with your child performing for the family.
11. Holiday story time
Sit together and read festive holiday books. Pick stories about Santa, reindeer, or the true meaning of Christmas.
12. Make holiday playdough
Create some holiday-themed playdough together. Use red and green colours, add glitter or peppermint scents. Let your child shape the dough into holiday creations like stars, angels, or snowmen.
13. Family game night
Have a cosy family game night with Christmas-themed games. Play classic board games or make up your own holiday games.
14. Take a family holiday photo
Family holiday photo is a fun way to capture memories and enjoy some holiday cheer together. You can even turn it into a yearly tradition by using matching outfits or a creative backdrop!
15. Holiday-themed science experiment
Try a fun holiday-themed science experiment like making fake snow or a snow globe. It’s a great way to mix learning with holiday fun.
16. Look through family photos
One way to connect with the past and enjoy memories together is by sharing stories about family traditions and celebrations. Gather some old family photos and talk about past holiday memories.
17. Watch the sunset or sunrise
Take a moment to watch a quiet sunset or sunrise together and enjoy the beauty of nature. Simply being present with one another is a peaceful way to connect.
18. Cocoa time
Make hot cocoa (or iced cocoa if you’re in a tropical place like me) and enjoy it together. Add marshmallows, whipped cream, or a dash of cinnamon for extra fun.
19. Call or video chat a family member
Set aside time to call or video chat with a family member. It’s a lovely way to stay connected, especially if they live far away.
20. Holiday movie night
Snuggle up in your favourite blankets and watch a Christmas classic together with some popcorn or snack.
21. Decorate a gingerbread house
Have fun decorating a gingerbread house together. You can buy a ready-made kit or make your own from scratch. Let your child use their creativity to add colourful icing, candy, and decorations to make it their own masterpiece!
22. Bake cookies together
Spend some time baking holiday cookies. Let the kids help with mixing, rolling, and decorating. The best part is enjoying the freshly baked treats together, or sharing them with others.
23. Create a family time capsule
Create a family time capsule by writing down your favourite memories and hopes for the future, then stamp it with today’s date. Fill it with mementos from the year and bury it or store it somewhere safe. You can open it together in the years to come to reminisce about the past and see how things have changed.
24. Spend time reflecting on the year
Sit down together to reflect on the past year. If you’d like, set up a camera to talk about the highlights, lessons learned, and things you’re grateful for. It’s a wonderful way to bond, keep memories, and appreciate the year that’s come to an end.
I know parents are often busy during the holiday season. While some of these activities are simple and can be done in minutes, others do require more effort to prepare. For the ones that take more time, I would plan them for the weekends.
If you’re short on time, there’s no pressure to do them all. You can still mix in toys and treats with the activities, and they will still create lasting memories.
The best gifts often come from spending time together.
This holiday season, I hope to inspire others to find joy in simple things too, as there are so many ways to feel joy that aren’t all about material possessions.
Stuffing an advent calendar with toys or treats is convenient, but if you have the time and resources, why not try filling it with meaningful activities that create bonding moments each day? These moments of connection are what should truly bring happiness.
