200+ Calendar Fillers Ideas: What to Put in Advent Calendar

In recent years, people are more a big fan of Christmas Advent. Each year, people prepare 24 advent calendar fillers for their beloved ones and unveils one gift each day. Originally, things to put inside Advent calendar are nothing more than chocolate bars, candies, bible verses, Christian prayers and story of the Nativity of Jesus. Years and years later, Christmas Advent becomes less religionary-related but more for countdown fun. You know what's more unforgettable and expectable than one day of chocolate treats? 24 of them! Christmas Advent Calendar is perfect to countdown to Christmas. Next, we will break the article down to ensure you get everything needed to know about Christmas Advent calendar.


Part 1. How Christmas Advent Calendar Traditions Evolve
        1.1. What is Advent
        1.2. What is Traditional Advent Calendar
        1.3. What is Modern Advent Calendar
Part 2. How to Shop A Christmas Advent Calendar
        2.1. Hanging or Tabletop
        2.2. Characters and Themes
        2.3. Materials
Part 3. Top Advent Calendar Ideas in 2023
Part 4. What to Put in Advent Calendar
        4.1 Edible Advent Calendar Filler Ideas
        4.2. Calendar Fillers by Age
            4.2.1. For Newborns & Little Babies
            4.2.2. For Toddlers
            4.2.3. For School Kids
            4.2.4. For Teens
        4.3. Calendar Fillers by Hobbies
            4.3.1. Arts & Crafts
            4.3.2. Baking
            4.3.3. Planting
        4.4. Lower Budget Ideas for Advent Calendar Fillers
        4.5. Memorable Advent Calendar Fillers
            4.5.1. Memorable Advent Calendar Fillers
            4.5.2. Family To-Do-Together Activities
            4.5.3. Sharing Love Activities
        4.6. Last-Minute Advent Calendar Fillers Ideas
        4.7. Treasure Hunt Advent Calendar Content Ideas
Part 5. Pave the Way for Christmas Day Big Surprise
Final LInes: Are You Ready for Christmas Advent?

Part 1. How Christmas Advent Calendar Traditions Evolve

1.1. What is Advent

Advent is a Latin word means coming. It's a period before Christmas (usually between November 27th - December 3rd) to celebrates the birth of Jesus. Advent was first celebrated since the 4th century. In the past, Advent was for Christianity to prepare for baptism. But as time past, Advent becomes the modernized anniversary activity to countdown to Christmas. It's more about anticipating for Christmas Day. Let's check different types of Christmas calendar ideas here:

1.2. What is Traditional Advent Calendar

In the past, advent was more a religious event to count down till Christmas Day in a fun way.
Many traditional advent calendar has a large rectangular cardboard with numbers written on it (from 1 to 24). Behind the cards, there are different stuffs such as a portion of story of the Nativity of Jesus, Bible verses, Christian prayers, or chocolate items. People reveal one card each day beginning on the start of the Advent season. Some Christians even incorporate this activity as part of their daily Advent devotions.

1.3. What is Modern Advent Calendar

The Modernized Christmas Advent doesn't start on the nearest Sunday to Nov. 30 any more. They start the advent calendar on Dec. 1st and countdown till Christmas Day. Long gone are the days that Christmas Advent is only a chocolate advent calendar that several Santa-shaped chocolate bars waiting inside the box.

Though chocolate and sweets still exist, the modern Christmas advent has a great variation of the Christmas Advent calendars ideas design. They come in a multiple forms: A simple paper calendar with flaps, a fabric pockets, a painted wooden box for small items... You can shop a empty or blank advent calendar and fill in up with your gift ideas. When the kids unveil the calendar, there are multiple surprises inside: Tiny lovely stuffs such as kids' toys, beauty products, hair accessories, school stationeries, or even the activity-based options for the whole family. Check details in Part 4.

Part 2. How to Shop A Christmas Advent Calendar

As mentioned above, time has past and Christmas advent calendar has extended to multiple variants. If you're looking to keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind, consider a nativity advent calendar. A traditional nativity advent calendar features a winter weather and Saint Nicholas scene. Or, if you're seeking a more modern and personalized calendar, let's go through the following aspects on how to choose and buy advent calendar that fits your need perfectly:

2.1. Hanging or Tabletop

A hanging advent calendar is typically a plastic, cardboard or felt advent calendar hanging on the wall or the door. One reason that I would put a wall advent calendar first is that we can keep the calendar neat and uniform by writing down the gifts name on a cartoon sticky note and put them in each pocket. In this way, our gifts selections will be wider and not be limited to tiny stuffs only. We just hide the large gifts somewhere safe in the house. Another reason why I would choose a hanging wall hanging advent calendar is that they are so cute that can also be displayed as a Christmas decor. So, why not?


A tabletop Christmas advent calendar is usually a Christmas tree shaped or house shape and made of wood. These wooden advent calendar with drawers are more durable and can be used as a tabletop organizers. If you are seeking a reusable advent calendar, this is without doubt your perfect choice.

2.2. Characters and Themes

To meet almost everyone's preferences, there are multiple theme patterns, such as Santa Claus, snowman, Christmas tree, sleigh cars, elk, Christmas stocking, you name it. Moreover, a winter wonderland theme, adorned with snowflakes, snowmen, and cozy scenes, creates a picturesque journey to accompany the festive season. In recent years, toys advent calendars and school stationery advent calendars and beauty advent calendars are trendy as well. The character and theme of an Advent calendar serve as the spirited guide, turning each day into a miniature celebration, unwrapping the magic of the holiday season one joyful moment at a time.

2.3. Materials

Paper advent calendar often involves tearing off each card a day while wooden advent calendars always come with a hinge to open. Fabric advent calendar are more lightweight and space-saving while cloth advent calendar are more soft touching and create a cozy atmosphere.

There are thousands of advent calendar ideas to choose from. If you are not ready to made your own decision on the best advent calendar to choose, why not read on next part to see the editors' pick.

Part 3. Top Advent Calendar Ideas in 2023

It is never too soon to start preparing Christmas for what we've gone through this year. Getting a cute family advent calendar is definitely a good start for this year's Christmas countdown. Here are our favorite designs to escalate the Santa holiday season anticipation:

Felt advent calendar or those made of non-woven fabric are lightweight and easily grabbing for younger kids.



Cloth advent calendar with quilted or plush are also welcomed by moms because they have comfortable soft touch and can easily cleaned up and reuse for years. Decor them with some string lights can also raise a festive atmosphere.



Wooden house advent calendar or tabletop decor calendar, or those with 24 drawers are popular wooden advent calendar among kids and their parents. They are durable and can still as a home decoration stuff when Christmas ends.



Some wooden advent calendar with drawers also come with burlywood enables your kids to use their drawing pens to DIY and put on their favorite color to make their countdown calendar cool and unique.

If you've got your kids a mini Christmas tree, this resin advent calendar that come with 24 Christmas tree ornaments are what exactly you are looking for. The ornaments are perfectly match a mini tree and your kids would enjoy hanging one ornament a day as they wish.


For parents they are raising a teenage girl, some alloyed jewelry advent calendar set will be not bad. These kind of Christmas countdown calendar always come with 1 or 2 golden or silver chain and 20+ jewelry pieces. Unveil them one by one and thread them into a necklace or bracelet are quite exciting and lovely. Some set also come with several pieces of earrings. It's loved by most teenage girls.

Part 4. What to Put in Advent Calendar

When choosing an advent calendar, we just need to focus on the design and material to make sure it looks perfectly match your house’s decorative style. However, when it comes to the advent calendar fillers, find 24 pieces of things to put in Advent Calendar is way more complicated than buying the advent calendar. We need to consider who’s this advent calendar for based on different ages, hobbies, and budgets:

For girls advent calendar, some lovely and cute princess costume, family matching pajamas or pinky toys, hair bands, unicorn pencil cases are perfect options;



For boys advent calendar, matching cars, rc helicopters, drones, pretend play toys, and magic games are ideal;



As for filler ideas for school kids, I believe that a stationery advent calendar is exactly what you are looking for: Erasers, gel pens, sticky notes sets, crayons etc. are both good options and affordable.

4.1 Edible Advent Calendar Filler Ideas

Classic edible advent calendar fillers like chocolate and candies traditions are kept but religionary-related stories and notes are fading out. Edible advent calendar fillers we have got at our childhood are listed as below:
- kisses chocolate;
- cinnamon hard candies;
- peppermint bark;
- candy canes;
- Christmas nougats;
- Dum-Dum holiday pops;
- chocolate Santas;
- ribbon candy;
- gummi bears;
- hot chocolate packets;
- peppermint bark tea bags;

However, too much candies for kids will result in tooth decay and obesity. So, people are looking for non candy advent calendar ideas. Let’s check them in categories in the following paragraphs.

4.2. Calendar Fillers by Age

4.2.1.Newborns & Little Babies:
Newborns won't remember what he/she receive on his/her first Christmas advent unless they check the memorable photo album years later. So, it's more up to parents to pick up some that are more practical, daily-used, meaningful and lovely. Let's just cut too the chase:
- first year photo frame;
- fingerprint/footprint keepsake;
- milestone age event blocks;
- bib set;
- rattles;
- teether;
- baby play mat;
- plush toys;
- DIY knitting hat;
- baby booties/socks;
- family matching pajamas;



- swaddle packs;
- starry sky nightlight projector;
- wearable blanket;
- sleep soothing machine;



- loungers;
- baby monitors;
- bedtime book;
- baby glooming kit;
- hooded towel;
- skincare set;
- baby smart temperature monitor;



- baby bathrobe;
- nursery rocker;
- moonlight soother lamp;



4.2.2. For Toddlers
As for the advent calendar filler ideas for toddlers. We can start with something educating and inteligence developing. Also, some lovely daily-used bits and bobs work as well. And of course, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So, toys as well: 
- alphabet wall chart;
- cloth books;
- sorting game;
- learning walker;
- story telling toys;
- musical learning toy;
- magnetic doodle board;
- potty trainning;
- balance bike;
- cartoon plate & utensils;
- fishing toy;
- toddler knee pad;
- headband;
- headclips;
- water bottle;
- toothbrush;
- princess costume;
- starter dollhouse;
- jigsaw puzzle;
- building block toys;
- toy vending machine;
- doll dress-up set;
- bath toys;



- play tent;
- play dough;
- beach toys;
- toy snack catcher;
- pretend play set;



- wind up toys;
- matchbox cars;
- finger puppets;

4.2.3. For School Kids
If you are raising a child at his/her school age, you can never go wrong with some school supplies stuffs. Also consider STEM toys to broaden his/her mind.
- crosswords games;
- calculator;
- pencil case;



- animal erasers;
- map puzzle;
- capsule-shaped foldable gel pen;
- paper punch;
- bouncy ball;
- yo-yo;
- 3D puzzle;



- sticky note;
- fossil dig kit;
- novelty erasers;
- abacus;
- non-bleed highlighter;



- journal;
- eraser;
- pack of cards;
- cartoon lunchbox for school;



- school backpack;



- mini squishies;
- finger puppets;
- water-based nail polish set;
- physics workshop;
- drawing activity;
- toy cash register;

4.2.4. For Teens
Teens are more a big fan of accessories, beauty products, fitness or electronics. And some teens prefer gift cards or subscription as a gift because they are old enough to make their own decision as a grown-up. To name a few:
- barrettes;
- hairband;
- bracelet;
- necklace;
- earrings;
- hair curler;
- anime AirPods case;



- hand cream;
- lipstick;
- lipbalm;
- mascara;
- nail polish;
- nail art stickers;
- ear buds;
- 3D animal Christmas mug;
- manicure/pedicure set;
- bath salts;
- flash drive;
- watch;
- key ring;
- compact mirror;
- phone holder;
- yoga mat;
- team uniform of his/her Favorite Team;
- tennis racquet;
- jump rope;

4.3. Calendar Fillers by Hobbies

4.3.1. Arts & Crafts
If your kids are showing interest on craftings, these Advent calendar fillers ideas might inspire you:
- rubber stamps;
- mini craft kits;
- washi tape;
- glitter;
- pens;
- crayons;
- markers;
- colored pencils;
- origami paper;
- modeling clay;
- thimble;
- toy knitting machine;



- play dough;
- slime;
- embroidery floss;
- felt kit;

4.3.2. Baking
This collection is both perfect as Christmas calendar filler as well as for family activities. You can bake together with your teenager son/daughter. If you are raising a smaller kids like toddlers and school-age, a kitchen pretend play set to play together under the Christmas tree will be cool.
- cookie cutters;
- measuring spoons;
- measuring cups;
- spices;
- sprinkles;
- cupcake liners;
- cookie cutters;
- mini spatula;
- cake decorating tips;
- sprinkles;
- piping bags;

4.3.3. Planting
If your kids are curious about how Christmas tree grows up, you can also include this into consideration, so that they can spreading seeds, watering, and observing how plants grow. My kids used to spent the whole afternoon playing their garden crafts on a large flowerpot and name their flowerpot Alice & Alex’s Adventure in Wonderland:
- tiny fairy garden crafts;
- air plants;
- tiny succulents;
- seeds or bulbs;

4.4. Lower Budget Ideas for Advent Calendar Fillers

Preparing for Christmas might costs us a big fortune. Our shopping list for Christmas is long: Christmas decor, Christmas tree & ornaments, gifts, food recipes and so on. Some gift options like electronics and toy sets are good for Christmas gifts but a little bit expensive for Advent calendar fillers. Even though an old saying goes, "you got what you paid for", a good advent calendar content doesn’t necessarily means expensive. Here are alternative solution for those on a low budget:
- mini journal;
- fun socks;
- glow-in-the-dark shoelaces;
- Christmas postcards;
- flash drive (preloaded with special photos or a mix-tape);
- bath bomb;
- fake Father Christmas mustaches;
- silly Bands;
- seed packets;
- Lego minifigures;
- UNO card;
- party popper;
- dice games;
- play dough;
- invisible ink pens;
- photo frame;
- hairbands and clips;
- scented candle;
- balloon pack;
- mini-stuffed animals
- bouncy balls;
- matchbook cars;

4.5. Memorable Advent Calendar Fillers:

Imagine a calendar that doesn't just count down the days but opens up a daily dose of excitement and joy. Get ready to embark on a holiday adventure filled with delightful activities or stuffs that will not only make each day special but create cherished memories for the little ones to carry in their hearts for years to come.

4.5.1. Memorable Advent Calendar Fillers
- handwritten notes;
- baby minestone block;
- fingerprint/footprint stamp;
- photo frame;
- concert ticket;
- movie ticket;
- cash voucher of a favorite restaurant;
- games for their Nintendo;

4.5.2. Family To-Do-Together Activities
- night driving to festive lights shows;
- having dinner at your kids’ favorite restaurant;
- picnicking under Christmas tree;
- visiting Santa at the mall;
- having breakfast in bed;
- ice skating;
- making snow angels;
- tickets to live-action show;
- write a letter to Santa;
- staying up past regular bedtime schedule;
- snowball fight in the backyard;
- watching Christmas moving together;
- having a craft day for DIY Christmas decorations;
- baking together;
- having a family housecleaning day;

4.5.3. Sharing Love Activities
- donating to Covid-19 Resonse Fund;
- writing a greeting or thank-you note to neighbors;
- baking goodies and giving them away to neighbors; gathering up items to take to local charity;
- giving away unwanted toys to orphans in charity house;
- picking out a gift for someone in need;
- donate to Red Cross Charity;
- pick up litter on a walk;
- family volunteer night at a local homeless shelter;
- bringing dinner and blankets to homeless;
- volunteering at a local animal shelter;
- visiting elders in retirement home and accompany them;

4.6. Last-Minute Advent Calendar Fillers Ideas

Are you a procrastinator like me, shilly-shallying all the time and don’t make a decision till the very last minute? Better act fast because based on my previous shopping experience online, logistic gets busy and slow during peak seasons between Halloween and Christmas Day. I really don’t want to suffer from that anxiety rechecking the shipping updates time and time again to make sure it arrives on time for the holiday. If it is still too late when you read this sentence, these last-minute advent calendar fillers ideas that skip shipment processes will be recommended:
- Children magazine subscription;
- Disney+ gift subscription;
- Kindle unlimited subscription;
- ChildAngle 2023 Special Edition E-gift card;
- Game for Nintento;
- Spotify Yearly Subscription;
- Free popcorn voucher;
- Digital Movie;

4.7. Treasure Hunt Advent Calendar Content Ideas

I believe most kids love treasure hunt a lot. Solving puzzles one by one to get hints all around the house that lead to a big treasure. We can make our Christmas Advent a treasure hunting game. To focus more on setting puzzles and hints, we can simplifier the calendar filler things by just ordering some sort of holiday set with greater than or equal to 24pcs:
- Lego minifigure set;
- Kitchen pretend play set;
- Board game pieces;
- Vehicle carrier set;

On Dec. 1st, give your kids the treasure map with hints and the game just begin. Your kids will definitely enjoy solving puzzles and unveiling all these hidden Christmas Advent filler gifts.

Part 5. Pave the Way for Christmas Day Big Surprise

No matter what do you put in an Advent calendar, just stick to the only rule: Pave the way for Christmas Day big surprise. The reason why we elaborately prepare for Christmas Advent is all about maximizing the anticipation for the Christmas Day.

My practical tip is: Start with the small one and save the best for last. Trust me, Christmas Advent will be your little one’s top 5 favorite celebrations of the year (only after Christmas Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and Birthday Party)!

Final LInes: Are You Ready for Christmas Advent?

Pick out awesome Christmas Advent filler ideas will add more anticipation to Christmas 2023.

To choose the perfect Advent calendar contents that all will love depends on what this Christmas Advent calendar is for:
For newborns and small babies, something daily-used, lovely and memorial are ideal;
For toddlers, something educating and brain-developing are great;
For school aged, school stationeries and toys are popular;
For teens, personal cares, eletronics and fitness products are recommend.

If your little ones have some specific hobbies like crafting, baking and planting, you can include these items in their Christmas Advent calendar.

What to put in Advent calendar? Actually, Advent calendar fillers don’t necessaries need to be some gifts or toys. You can also fill with some family activities, treats and charity events to do together for a momorable and unforgettable Christmas advent.

For those last-minute guys who don’t act fast until the very last time, a yearly subscription of digital items or brick-and-motar store coupon code are perfectly convenient.

Remember the golden rule of Christmas calendar filler ideas: Always leave the best to the last to maximize the Christmas Day surprise. If your kids are big fans of treasure hunting, buy them a 24pcs playset, hide the pieces in the house and give them one hint a day to find their treasure. Finally assemble the complete set on Christmas morning with their own efforts, which are more unforgettable. Hope these Christmas Advent calendar content ideas inspire you. Do you have any other unique ideas for Christmas Advent calendar filler? Leave a comment and share with us.

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