Yahoo Movies Best DIY reusable advent calendars for Christmas 2020 old
You can get a Christmas advent calendar for every kind of person these days, from the beauty obsessive to the gin lover and stationery fan.
Typically made from cardboard and covered with festive decorations, they’re the subject of a rollercoaster of emotions; highly coveted before the big day, shoved aside and forgotten afterwards. The result? Millions of empty boxes ready to join the mountains of rubbish criss-crossing the planet.
Recycling empty advent calendars is one way to minimise Christmas’s effect on the planet, but the process takes time and energy.
Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the excitement of advent without trashing the environment – with a reusable advent calendar.
From beautiful hand-stitched designs to toughened cardboard structures, each of our selected calendars is made to withstand years of use.
With the right care and storage, they could even become a Christmas heirloom, to be passed down through the generations.
The bonus? Apart from being kinder to the planet, buying a reusable calendar means you can curate the gifts behind each window to create a more personal and meaningful gift.
If you’re looking for wooden advent calendars, see our separate list of sustainable advent calendars.
Shop more of the best advent calendars for Christmas 2020
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Worldwide Christmas Advent Calendar
A fabric advent calendar patterned with traditional Christmas house scenes - what could be more festive? It already looks like a cherished piece of holiday decor thanks to the rich, dark colours used, as well as plentiful retro details like the Scottie dog on the doorstep, a jolly carrot-nosed snowman and Father Christmas and his reindeer flying over the top of the mansion through a starry sky. It’s as if an 80s Christmas card was transformed into an advent calendar, and we love it.
The handmade piece comes with three red ribbons at the top so you can easily suspend it from a door, mirror or frame. There are 24 pockets, each measuring 7.5 x 6.5cm which should provide enough space for tiny treats.
Calendar measures 68 x 54cm, free delivery.
L’Occitane Reusable Advent Calendar
While reusable calendars have been around for years, it's heartening to see big brands adopt the style for the festive period. Sticking to the same rustic French aesthetic, L'Occitane's cotton calendar is finished with botanical illustrations by artist Isla Simpson. It comes packed with the mini versions of the brand's best-sellers - think Divine Cream, Shea Butter Foot Cream and Immortelle Precious Overnight Mask.
John Lewis & Partners
Inspired by the Impressionists, this calendar makes an elegant addition to your holiday decor look. Following a cool silver and blue theme, the 25-drawer piece is inspired by snowfall and offers a creative way to fill your own and countdown to Christmas this year.
There’s a slightly less arty version for kids, John Lewis & Partners Santa & Friends Fill Your Own Advent Chest, also £20.
Modern Advent Calendar quilted reusable
This handmade quilted advent calendar is the perfect contemporary spin on a modern Christmas. The merry and bright pop art-inspired design measures 56 x 60cm, and offers 24 sturdily stitched pockets which have just about enough space to slide in a miniature treat. Just what that treat is is down to you.
For a more traditional Nöel look, try this red and white Scandi design, £30 at Etsy.
The Seasonal Aisle Magic Bags Advent Calendar
Bags of charm are the order of the day with this precious advent calendar which replaces windows with 24 cotton bags of delights. Following a blue and white colour palette, each bag is printed with a number so you can keep track of which day’s bundle to open. Perfect for children and adults alike, it even comes with a strand of micro fairy lights to complete the look.
Requires 3 x 1.5V AA, not included.
Lisa Angel Personalised Felt Wall Hanging Advent Calendar
If you’re short on space but love that handmade look, this hanging felt calendar is a decor dream come true. There are 25 pockets stitched on with metallic gold thread, each big enough to hold a surprise like a sweet truffle, chocolate coin or festive candy cane. You can also personalise the calendar with eight characters at the top in gold script.
Hobbycraft Round Red Advent Calendar
Give your traditional advent countdown a new spin with this wreath-shaped design which comes with 24 numbered drawers to fill for the days before Christmas.Handsomely decked out in classic festive colours, there’s a hook on the back so you can secure it to the wall, but it will look just as lovely on a decorated mantelpiece.
M&S Felt Stocking Advent Calendar
This Christmas stocking bunting calendar is a great way to use the piece as decor rather than a countdown alone. There are 25 numbered socks, ready and waiting to squirrel away a treat of your choosing. With pom pom detailing and white and red string, it’s a cute concept that you’ll be thrilled to roll out year after year.
Biscuiteers limited edition advent calender by Sophie Conran
Following the success of last year’s advent collab with Sophie Conran, gourmet biscuit designers Biscuiteers are back with a design for Christmas 2020. The two brand have teamed up to create a hand-crafted cloth advent calendar finished with applique and hand-printed numbers. You can buy it on its own, but we think it looks best paired with baked goods from the Biscuiteers Advent Biscuit Tin.
D.I.Y Christmas Advent Calendar House
Introduce children to the pleasures of the advent countdown with this cute Christmas house-shaped calendar. There are 24 boxes in which to hide small presents to delight them every morning until December 25. It's made of strong, sturdy cardboard, so while you can recycle it if you wish, keep it wrapped in plastic after the festive period to use again next year - and beyond.
Christmas Tree D.I.Y Advent Calendar Chest
Shaped like a classic fir tree, this calendar is as much a gift as it is a festive Christmas ornament. It brings the spirit of the season into any room effortlessly. Fill the 24 drawers with special treats of your choosing, and watch as they wake with excitement to discover what's inside the day's box.
For a more grown-up take, see Lisa Angel’s design at NOTHS
Ellie Ellie Personalised Couples Reusable Activity Advent Calendar
If you’re celebrating your first Christmas as a couple or newlyweds, this is a fun way to get into holiday mode together. Instead of gifts, this mindful calendar will have you embarking on a classic festive activity to do together - think taking couples selfies, going on wintry woodland walks and baking Christmas treats together. There are 24 things to check off until the big day and you can have the calendar personalised with your names too. Comes with a red ribbon so it’s ready to hang immediately.
Idyll Home Fabric Christmas Calendar
A slightly more grown-up affair, this hanging fabric calendar offers a minimalist approach to advent calendars. Instead of windows or drawers, gifts are tied to one of 25 hooks. Tie chocolates, keyrings and small wrapped boxes to the rings with colourful ribbon for a homemade looking gift that makes a refreshing change from the norm.
Advent Calendar Christmas Village House Kit, Make Your Own
If you have the space, this is such a lovely idea for an advent calendar - and it’s suitable for all ages.
You can build your own model Christmas village with house-shaped boxes. Simply fill with treats and open one at a time until the big day. Paint them or cover them in collage to make them personal to you.
If you plan to reuse this for Christmas 2021, you'll need to ensure you flat pack the buildings in a sealed envelope or box so that no moisture can get to the cards.
Verdict
Maybe it's the 80s Christmas vibes, perhaps its the wondrous detailing but TeenOriginals' handmade fabric advent calender is our favourite pick in this roundup. Keep it safe and store it well to use it for many Christmases to come.
