Minimalist Advent Calendar: Eco-Friendly Filler Ideas for Adults

This year instead of buying an advent calendar I decided to make a DIY minimalist advent calendar. My goal was to make the Christmas countdown fun, but at the same time sustainable.

If you’re looking for minimalist advent calendar filler ideas for adults then continue reading to see what I came up with.

DIY Eco-Friendly Advent Calendar

I wanted to create an alternative to the traditional advent calendars that we use once and throw away after Christmas. This DIY advent calendar is eco-friendly, almost zero waste, and reusable so that I can use it in the following years too.

Last year, my sister bought a tea advent calendar that came in a cardboard frame, and each day the tea came in a small cardboard box. After Christmas, she was left with those empty cardboard boxes and the frame and felt bed to just throw them away.

Since she knows me well she asked me if I wanted to have it to DIY something for the next year. I immediately jumped at the opportunity and stored it for this Christmas season.

Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Adults

Since my fiance also wanted to participate in my little DIY project, we decided to split the calendar between the two of us. I took the odd days, and he took the even days. So my task was to fill the odd days with little surprises for him.

We also bought three packages of small chocolates that piqued our interest and split them among the two of us.

Apart from chocolates, we didn’t want to buy anything else that would be wasteful. Since chocolates are consumables and make us happy we didn’t feel too bad about getting them.

The list of thoughtful filler ideas for him I came up with:

Surprise cinnamon rolls in the kitchen
An evening with a hot chocolate
Let’s take a walk on a cold winter day!
Christmas playlist
I love you notes
Mistletoe
Cute tree ornament
Coupons for little treats, e.g. massage
End of the year recap prompts (to start a conversation)
An order for a kiss!

In the end, I added a couple of chocolates to each odd box, with a personalized note including one of the filler ideas mentioned above. I also added an inspirational December quote from my post to each note to give it that extra holiday touch! 🙂

How to Make a Minimalist Advent Calendar

To create an eco-friendly and minimalist advent calendar you need to think outside the box. Think about all the things you have at home and come up with creative solutions for an advent calendar. Try to buy as little as possible.

You can use an old advent calendar, like I did, or make your own using old cardboard boxes, socks, envelopes, jars, cans, or even sew your own from scrap material. The possibilities are endless!

An advent calendar doesn’t have to contain candy or physical items, it can be filled with fun activities you and your partner can do together.

You can surprise him throughout December with his favorite cake, drink, music, movies, etc. Make this advent a joyful experience for both of you and spend some quality time together.

Hope you got inspired by my DIY advent calendar and decide to make your own!

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