Katherine Robinson
Looking for an alternative advent calendar for 2021? There are great crafting advent calendars available that let you start each day in December with a cool and creative DIY project. Whether you want to try your hand at sewing, beading, or making your own Xmas decorations, there’s something for everyone
Looking for an alternative advent calendar for 2021? If chocolate’s not your thing and you already have all the beauty products you need, a very different – and extremely creative – option is a crafting advent calendar.
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You can countdown to Christmas with a new mini DIY craft project a day, whether it’s sewing, making your own Xmas decorations or bead pictures. Hours of fun to be had for both kids and adults alike, and you’re left with a nice memento that you’ve created yourself. So satisfying!
Make your own Christmas decorations
The Make Arcade craftvent calendar, £34, John Lewis
This bumper box of craft has 24 individually packed felt kits each one containing the bits to make a cute Christmas decoration. Most totally festive, but a few are cute and kitsch including food, drinks, and adorable animals.
Stock up on sewing essentials
Hemline advent calendar, £22.99, Create and Craft
From the cutest pincushions through to thimbles and needle threaders, this Christmas countdown has everything you need to get prepared for next year's sewing tasks.
Cross stitch your way to Christmas
The Make Arcade Stichmas cross stitch advent calendar, £34.99, John Lewis
Stitch your way to Christmas with this cross-stitch advent calendar. You get an eight-inch embroidery hoop, pattern and all the supplies you need to create a beautiful Christmas cross stitch which will be ready for the big day.
Try your hand at aquabeading
Aquabeads advent calendar, £26.36, Amazon
Aquabeads are craft beads that magically join together when sprayed with water. You get the full kit to make 24 decorations with this advent calandar – 15 of them Christmassy – and it’s suitable for crafty adults and kids aged four and above too.
Hama beads
Hama advent calendar, £13.51, Amazon
Hama beads use a similar technique to aquabeads, but instead of water, you need to iron over the top of these ones to make them stick together. This is one of the lower priced crafting advent calendars, and for your money you get 24 seasonal designs you can hang on your Christmas tree when they’re done.
Christmas crafts to do with the kids
Ravensburger Advent Calendar, £13.99, Amazon
This crafty advent calendar contains 24 surprise activities to do with the kids, including puzzles, stencils and build kits so you can create your own Christmas magic at home
A crafter’s dream kit
BIC Advent Calendar, £19.99, Amazon
It’s not strictly a project a day, but this BIC stationary advent calendar is a must for dedicated crafters. There are 24 surprises, incluing pencils, pens, stickers, erasers and more – it lends itself perfectly to making your own Christmas cards!
DIY advent calendar
DIY Advent calendar kit, £15.13, Amazon
You can make your own calendars with this handy kit, and fill it with whatever you choose. Nice!
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