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An advent calendar counts the 24 days to Christmas, and it is one of the few decorations that people actually use every day. The problem in a small home is the same as everywhere else: where to put it.
The good news is that the calendar can hang, stand on a shelf or fold flat. Here are ten ideas that need almost no space, and what to put inside.
Before you choose
- Pick the place first. A wall, a door, a shelf or a table: the place decides the type.
- Count the openings. You need 24 or 25 of them, so check the size of each pocket or box.
- Think about who opens it. A child needs bigger doors and a lower height.
- Plan to reuse it. A reusable calendar saves money and storage next year.
01Hanging bags on a branch or a rail
Twenty-four small bags on a branch, a rail or a string look like decoration all through December. Clip them with mini pegs.
02A wall calendar with pockets
A fabric calendar with pockets hangs on a wall or the back of a door and takes no floor space. Use an adhesive hook for rentals.
03A wooden drawer calendar
A wooden calendar with 24 small drawers stands on a shelf or console and works as a decoration after December.
04Matchboxes on a string
Small matchbox-size boxes on a string are cheap, light and fold flat when they are not in use. Add small numbers.
05Paper cones or envelopes
Envelopes in a row along a ribbon hold notes, vouchers or small treats. Nothing to store except a ribbon.
06A tree calendar
A tree-shaped felt calendar on the wall is also a Christmas tree for a room with no floor space. See our Christmas tree ideas for a small living room.
07A calendar for the table
A small box calendar with a window for each day fits on the dining table or desk and takes the footprint of a book.
08What to put inside
Chocolate is classic, but not required. Try tea bags, small candles, stickers, a note with a family activity or a short cocoa packet. Mix them so the box stays interesting.
09A calendar with tea or coffee
For adults, a calendar of 24 different teas is a small daily ritual that also fits in a drawer afterwards.
10A countdown with activities
A jar of 24 slips with activities, such as hot chocolate, a walk to see lights or a movie night, takes no space and costs nothing.
A plan by time
- Ten minutes: a ready-made calendar on the wall.
- An hour: hang bags or boxes and fill them.
- A weekend: make a reusable one with drawers or a branch and bags.
Before you pay
- Check the pocket size against what you plan to put in.
- Choose a reusable calendar if you want it next year.
- Hang it where you pass every day, so you do not forget.
- For gift ideas and wrapping, see our Christmas gift ideas for small homes, and for more on the whole house, our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas.
