Make and fill Advent calendars from matchboxes: great DIY gift ideas for Christmas

There is hardly anything more beautiful at Christmas than the festive Advent calendar. Receiving a little surprise every day actually makes you look forward to the holidays even more. Of course you can buy a calendar, but a homemade present is something very special and the recipient is guaranteed to appreciate the nice gesture. But if you want to make your loved ones happy, you should let your creativity run wild. It doesn't always have to be a complicated and time-consuming craft project, because beautiful designs can also be created from household items. In the article we explain how you can make an Advent calendar out of matchboxes and also tell you what you can fill it with.

Make your own Advent calendar from matchboxes: There are numerous variations to choose from

There are numerous variations to choose from to make a beautiful Advent calendar out of matchboxes. Which one you ultimately choose and what you will fill the calendar with depends primarily on your budget and the preferences of the recipient. So first think about how much money you can or want to spend. Then ask yourself what the person you are with likesa homemade presentwant to surprise. Last but not least, you should be able to assess your crafting skills. Beginners should opt for a simple DIY project and choose ideas that can be copied quickly. Passionate crafters, on the other hand, have a wide selection of different DIY projects and can dedicate an entire weekend to the calendar.

Creative DIY idea with a winter landscape

You have small children and want themsurprise for Christmas? Then you can make an imaginative Advent calendar. We'll show you a quick DIY idea that you can recreate on a rainy weekend. You need the following materials:

  • 24 matchboxes
  • Sky blue watercolor
  • Light blue marker
  • Paint brush
  • Water
  • Glas
  • Glue for paper
  • Scissors
  • artificial snow
  • Decorative beads

First, unpack all the matchboxes and stack six boxes together to form four blocks. Then glue the individual boxes together and let them dry at room temperature. Then you can glue the individual blocks together to create a “cabinet”. Now you can paint the matchboxes with blue paint and write the numbers on them with the marker. All that remains is to attach the decorative beads with the glue and the “drawers” ​​are ready. Then cut the packaging paper to size and stick it on the sides of the cabinet. At the end you have to fill the calendar. Choose a theme - for example doll's house or your favorite TV show and fill the matchboxes with matching mini figures, short stories, nuts, candies and chocolate gold coins.

Modern Advent calendar made from matchboxes for your best friend

If you have an Advent calendar for the...best friendIf you want to do some crafting, then the next idea comes up. First, wrap all the matchboxes with colorful wrapping paper, glue real feathers on them, and decorate them with beads and decorative bows. Cut the labels out of white cardboard, write the numbers on them with a marker and decorate them with glitter. Fill the calendar with lip balm, nail sets, tea bags, massage vouchers and small perfume samples.

Filling suggestions for men and women

The first suggestion for a modern Advent calendar is super practical: you can pack the matchboxes compactly and send them by post. But you should have a calendarfor the partnercraft, then you can save yourself a lot of effort and simply glue the matchboxes onto white cardboard. Surprise your partner withpractical little thingssuch as hair ties or hair clips, pamper them with scented oils, scented tea lights or homemade bath sticks, eye shadow or hand cream samples. For your partner, you can fill it with vouchers for restaurants, cinema tickets, individual portions of coffee or home-baked cookies.

Make vintage design for parents

A vintage Advent calendar can be easily made from matchboxes. Attach the matchboxes to a canvas to form a Christmas tree. Fill them with funny Christmas pictures, inspirational messages, your children's photos. You can also distribute special spice mixtures in small bags, hide vouchers for a cooking evening in the matchboxes or buy tickets for the opera.

Different sized boxes with content ideas for sister

You have already bought the Christmas presents and lovingly wrapped them. You can use the leftover wrapping paper. Buy 24 matchboxes of different sizes and cover them with wrapping paper. Decorate the small packages with cords, gift ribbons, Christmas bells, Christmas tree decorations, paper stars and buttons. Inside you can hide chocolate, various lucky charms, cozy socks, beautiful ballpoint pens, scented candles and homemade cookies. Your sister will definitely be happy and appreciate the kind gesture.

Make a jewelry calendar in a glass

Matchboxes can also be used to make decorative calendars. Cover the matchboxes with colorful wrapping paper and hide pendant necklaces, rings, bracelets and hair accessories inside. Make sure that the delicate pieces of jewelry can be freely combined with one another. Our tip: Choose jewelry sets that your girlfriend or wife can wear in everyday life.

Whether modern, vintage or rather purist: an Advent calendar made from matchboxes can be imaginatively staged and filled. You can find more examples of beautiful calendars in the photo gallery below, so let your creativity run wild!

Make your own Christmas tree out of matchboxes and fill it with lollipops, candies and other small sweets

DIY idea with washi tape and wrapping paper for men, filled with artificial bait, wobblers and other accessories for the angler

Advent calendar with small matchboxes packed as presents

Make your own for children and fill with small toys and lollipops

You can also hide other little things in the matchboxes

The matchboxes are attached to the wall with double-sided adhesive tape

Make your own Advent calendar: craft ideas with matchboxes

Creatively pack different sized matchboxes and gift boxes

Christmas decorations, decorative figures, parts of a dollhouse and children's toys are hidden inside

Don't forget the sweets: chocolate gold and silver coins

Modern Christmas decorations or calendar?

Small surprises are hidden in large matchboxes

Make your own purist Advent calendar for Christmas