How to Turn Trash into a Resourceful Advent Calendar
DIY Advent Calendar for the win!
I love Advent Calendars in all forms, but DIY calendars are my favorite! That’s why I simply had to share this idea from Hip2Save reader, Dayuna, and her clever way to reuse this commonly thrown out product to create an advent calendar for her daughter.
Last year, instead of buying my daughter a $30-$50 Barbie advent calendar she so desperately “needed”, I decided to make one. I cleaned out 23 used Keurig K-Cup pods, filled them with chocolate kisses, bubble gum balls, & Barbie accessories, and cut some festive wrapping paper to cover them back up.
On Dec. 1st, she got to open a Ken doll (which was the most expensive of the gifts at $5). Then every morning after, she opened the K-Cup pods to reveal the other surprises. The total cost was less than $15 and she absolutely loved it. Point for mommy!
This resourceful idea is too cute!
What a brilliant way to reuse K-Cup pods for a fun, treat-filled advent calendar instead of tossing them away…and a much more frugal calendar option as well! I may have to borrow this idea when I create advent calendars for my family this year.
Thank you, Dayuna, for sharing your holiday tip for making a homemade advent calendar for your daughter.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
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What a creative idea!
Very clever!
LOVE it!
So cool! I want to buy an empty advent calendar or make one for larger items – beauty products, like nail polish, lip gloss. Any ideas – I am not creative at all. It can be for 12 days. Thanks!
Toilet paper rolls?
You could paint them/cover them in green – then stack them to look like a Christmas tree. Use different paper for the outside and it can look like ornaments.
Thank you for the clever idea!
Mini stockings hung on a string..
Ohhh! Great idea! Kinda easy which is perfect for me. Thank you
I bought a set of little cotton drawstring bags off Amazon (5″x7″ size). I dyed them pretty colors, but you don’t have to. I cut HTV vinyl with my Cricut for the numbers 1-24, but you could just use a sharpie or paper tag. I haven’t decided yet if I will tie them to a ribbon to hang like garland, or arrange them in a basket.
I’ve been buying little things that I know each of my kids will love, so the advent calendars will be tailored to each kid. I plan to keep the bags and use them for years to come!
Empty yogurt cups make work and like the above example you could cover them with wrapping paper.
I love this! If you can use recycled paper it’s even better!
Super idea. Thx so much for sharing this.
I do the same sort of. Instead of a lego calendar with tiny builds you don’t really want I get a full set and break it up. I used tin cans, hot glue, cardboard & tissue paper that can be “punched” out each day!
So creative I can’t wait to make some for my grandkids! Thanks for all your ideas! I love this site always, but during the holidays I love Hip2save even more, I do the majority of my shopping through this site!!
Aww, You’re most welcome. SO glad you have been enjoying the deals and tips with us! Thank YOU for the super sweet feedback. It is truly appreciated! 🥰
I always share your site always!! Love it!
Thanks so much! đź’• SO glad you can pass along the savings.
One year I took toilet paper rolls, 24 matchbox and hot wheels cars mix and one really awesome race track. I bought one package of mini cupcake papers and a set of numbers from the dollar store. I glued the tubes together in a pyramid and one cupcake holder in the back of each tube to prevent the car from rolling out and then sprayed it one color. I put one car in a tube, put a number on the cupcake holder and then glued it to the front of the tube starting with number one on the top and ending at number 24. The whole thing sat on the wrapped race track which was the gift on Christmas. After a few days it was easy to figure each tube had a new car but not what kind. It was still exciting every day to poke through the hole and get the day’s car. Still makes me smile to think of it. There was some effort to put it together but sometimes the best memories are worth it. You could certainly fill your tubes with any theme or a mixed up theme and never know what’s coming.
How neat! I LOVE that idea. Thanks so much for taking the time to share that with us.
Great idea!!
Love this idea!
Cute!
Fun ideas! Thank you for sharing.
Target has a decent sized fillable Advent calendar for $3 in the dollar spot this year. If you dont have the materials on hand to make one of these, it might be cheaper to buy the $3 version. Plus, theirs is reusable.