25 Festive + Easy Advent Calendars to Make Today

Ashley Tyler
Dec 01, 2015

December is upon us, which means we are *officially* on the road to Christmas. An advent calendar is a great way to get in the holiday spirit and count down the days until the big guy (aka Santa) makes his appearance. If you had grand plans to put together an extravagant calendar but got distracted by all the post-Thanksgiving Day sales, don’t fret! You can tackle these DIYs in no time. Keep scrolling for 25 easy DIY advent calendars you can make on December 1.

1. Advent Treat Bags: Use bright printer paper to fold up a basket full of treat bags for this colorful advent calendar. Fill each bag with a small treat and seal with a strip of washi tape. You’ll find yourself racing home each day to open up the next bag of sweets. (via Fox and Star)

2. Wall Tree: Thin strips of velcro hold this adorable advent calendar up on your wall. Place a tiny trinket in each one and wrap them all up. Now you can rip through wrapping paper every day until Christmas and have fun + festive wall decor. (via Brit + Co)

3. LEGO Duplo Advent: This Christmas countdown is perfect for your little LEGO-maniac and is super easy to put together. All you need (besides the LEGO figurines) is a handful of paper straws and the free printable numbers. Write a fun activity on the back of each one and get ready to go out and enjoy the holiday season. (via Jacks and Kate)

4. Modern Wall Advent: You can hang this colorful advent calendar on your wall with washi tape, put them on your tree like ornaments or string them up as a garland. One thing is for sure: It will become an instant statement piece no matter where you put it. (via Minieco)

5. Flair Advent Calendar: Step up your flair game with this quirky calendar. If you make this, you’re guaranteed to have the coolest Christmas countdown on the block, as well as the best pin collection. (via Studio DIY)

6. Paper Ornament Advent Calendar: Deck out your mantel for the holidays and start a new family tradition at the same time. This double-duty decoration will be the center of attention all month long. (via Oh Happy Day)

7. Plastic Animal Advent: Spray paint 25 plastic animals and give them each a red pom pom nose. The figurine toppers are almost better than the sugary treats hidden inside the boxes. Almost… (via A Bubbly Life)

8. Christmas Countdown Candle: This minimalist calendar is perfect for small spaces or your desk at work. Cross off a day every morning when you light it and the sweet smell will keep your spirits up all season. (via The Merry Thought)

9. Advent Calendar Town: You can put together an entire village in an afternoon thanks to this free printable template. Place things like bottle brush trees and tiny reindeer under the boxes so you’re actually adding to your town every day. (via Brit + Co)

10. Easy Envelope Advent: If you’d rather fill your calendar with family activities like going out to look at Christmas lights, then this simple advent calendar is for you. The small envelopes are just the right size for a slip of paper and directions to your next festive destination. Divide up the numbers between each person in the house and have everyone contribute something to the calendar. (via Rosehip)

11. Modern Hexagon Advent Calendar: This geometric calendar gives off a luxe look without the added price tag. Transform ordinary hexagon favor boxes with wood grain and pink paper accents. Then fill and hang with double-sided tape in a formation that best fits your space. (via Oh Happy Day)

12. Printable Advent Calendar: Run to your local office supply store and get this printed as an engineering print for just a few dollars. Glue a mini clothes pin to each square and let dry before hanging small toys or details for a fun outing. Hang the entire thing with strips of washi tape and admire your work. (via Confetti Sunshine)

13. Brown Box Advent: Fill up your cork board with this cute calendar. Attach the boxes with pushpins on the inside so you can take it down after the holidays and put back up all your pictures and to-do lists. This one is great for your apartment since it won’t take up any extra space. (via Hey Look)

14. Dinosaur Advent Calendar: Turn plain plastic dinosaurs into this super cool advent calendar with help from your trusty DIY BFF: spray paint. Place each one atop an envelope containing directions for a holiday activity the whole family will love, like snuggling up for your favorite Christmas movie (complete with snacks and hot chocolate, of course). (via Boxy Colonial)

15. Treat Bag Advent Calendar: String up this cute advent calendar on an empty wall for a big impact. Create two big rows or three smaller ones. Whatever your room requires, this calendar is sure to deliver. (via Oh Happy Day)

16. Craft Board Countdown: Grab a plain craft board and turn it into a beautiful ombre advent calendar. Write your activities directly on the board and pin the dated circles on top. Feel free to change up the color to match your existing Christmas decorations to make it feel right at home. (via Spark and Chemistry)

17. Colorful Advent Calendar: Hang festive treat bags from a wooden dowel and you’ll have an adorable decoration and a ton of fun adventures to embark on over the next month. Put the bags in a random order to make searching for the right one a little more exciting. (via A Subtle Revelry)

18. Winter Advent Calendar: Spread these tiny green trees out across your mantel for an instant winter wonderland. They will print in three different sizes and are all great for stashing small after-dinner treats. Decorate your trees or leave them plain. Either way, you’ll be glad you made them. (via Willowday)

19. DIY Branch Advent Calendar: Head outside and find a nice sturdy branch for this budget-friendly project. You’ll have such a good time looking at your new advent calendar and discovering the surprises in each brown bag that you won’t ever want Christmas to end. (via Third Floor Design Studio)

20. Bookish Christmas Countdown: Put a literary spin on your holiday countdown this year. Individually wrap 25 Christmas books and write the date to be opened on the front. Mix in small board books with longer chapter books to make sure everyone has enough time to finish their favorites. (via Modern Mrs. Darcy)

21. Printable Mountain Advent Calendar: Believe it or not, you can make this entire calendar in just a few hours. String up the envelopes in various lengths so that none of them overlap. Each pocket is big enough for a small piece of candy or instructions for a holiday adventure (try a scavenger hunt!). (via Curbly)

22. Instagram Advent: Admire your favorite Instagrams from the past year and count down to Christmas at the same time. Made with an empty picture frame, twine and mini clothes pins, this stylish calendar is one you might want to leave up all year long after all the pictures are turned around. (via Card Store)

23. TP Roll Advent Calendar: Put those empty toilet paper rolls to good use with this modern Santa calendar. Once you place your treats under each cardboard roll, finding out what’s under the next one will soon be the best part of your day. (via The Crafty Swedes)

24. Christmas Countdown Calendar: This magnetic advent calendar is one decoration you’ll look forward to pulling out each year. And when your friends comment on how cool it is, you get to tell them all that you actually made it. (via The Anchored Soul)

25. Mini Forest Advent Calendar: How adorable is this take on an advent calendar? Mini paper cups make an ideal base for your paper trees. Fill each cup with tiny trinkets or yummy treats. Place the finished trees among your yearly holiday village display and watch your decorations come to life. (via Ebabee Likes)

Which calendar will you make to count down to Christmas? Snap a picture and #britstagram so we can see!

20 Party Games Better Than Cards Against Humanity

Party on! Game nights are the best nights, at least in our opinions. Seriously, what's more fun than sitting around the table playing a game, drinking a cocktail or two and laughing with friends?! We'd totally take that over a night sweating (and very awkwardly dancing) at the club.

We know you've made it through that Cards Against Humanity deck too many times to count, so refresh your adult game night stash with some of the best new party games around.

Game of Phones

Uncommon Goods

This techy card game prompts you and your friends to compete in smartphone-based tasks. With assignments ranging from “Find your best #selfie” to “Create an emoji masterpiece,” you’re guaranteed belly laughs and conversation starters galore. Just like with Cards Against Humanity, each round has a judge that picks the winner, so get your phone stacked with game changers now.

hella awk-ward Card Game

Shopify

If you want to spark real conversations with your guests, this is the game for you. By the end of this game, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of new pals. Play by drawing a card and answering the prompt to get to know friends and strangers alike on a deeper level.

What Do You Meme?

Amazon

This is the perfect game for anyone who has spent way too much time on the internet. Match funny captions with well-known internet memes (a rotating judge picks the best one) to create an afternoon or evening of hilarity.

Exploding Kittens Party Card Game

Amazon

This card game is like Russian Roulette “for people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats.” Count us in.

My Ex [A Deck of Conversation Starters]

Amazon

Gather your closest BFFs and spend the night with some good ol’ trash talking (therapeutically, of course). You’ll definitely find out who had the craziest ex. Gather friends that are down for the drama and start by pulling a card. Some of the topics you’ll fill-in-the-blank include: 1. The biggest red flag. 2. What is your ex up to now? 3. The worst rebound.

WHAT DO YOU MEME? for The Girls

Shopify

Grab your girlfriends and stir the pot with this hilarious card game. To play, whoever has the most Instagram followers goes first and rolls the die. “Whichever side of the die lands face-up, take the top card from the corresponding color deck. Read it aloud to the group & perform whatever action is on the card,” the instructions read. “Some cards involve just that player, some require the whole group. The player to their left then rolls the die & the game continues like this. Every winning card gets you a point. 1 Card = 1 Point. The player with the most cards at the end wins!”

Say Anything

Walmart

If you’re looking to reeeally get to know your friends, this is the game for you and your group (um, and maybe an invite to the new person you’ve been dating is in order). By reading questions and providing answers, you’ll quickly and creatively get inside the mind of all your party guests fast.

BAD CHOICES - The Have You Ever? Game + After Dark Edition Set

Amazon

You’ll really get to know the other party guests with this game. This might not be one to play with your new coworkers or mother-in-law!

To play, each player will draw six cards. “When it's your turn, choose one of your six question cards, then ask it to the player you think is most likely to answer YES. If they say YES, you get to discard your card. If they say NO you have to keep the card and try to use it again later,” the instructions read. With Skip Cards, Draw +1, Draw +2, and ALL PLAY cards, there's a surprising amount of strategy. The player who discards all of their cards first becomes the winner.

The Game of Things

Amazon

This provocative game will leave your jaw on the floor from the hilarious, creative and outrageous things your friends say. Simply by drawing topic cards like “Things a chimp thinks about when he sees you at the zoo,” responses are sure to be out of this world. After everyone writes down a response, and the best part starts — you all guess who said what. Let the finger pointing begin.

What’s Yours Like?

Walmart

Tell it like it is and you’ll excel at this one. Players have to guess words based off of creative word clues after asking the question, “What’s yours like?” Seriously, we wanna know.

If You Know You Know IYKYK - The Question Card Game

Amazon

Who knows each other best? This card game will (literally) put everyone’s cards on the table.

Getting started and playing this card game is super simple. A rotating judge asks the group a question about themselves from each of the three levels (indicated on the chosen card). Then, everyone chooses their answer. If you guess the judge's answer correctly, you get a point. The player with the most points wins.

That’s What She Said

Amazon

Are you basically Michael Scott from The Office? Any sucker for jokes and innuendos will love this saucy game.

Bananagrams

Shopify

This one is fun to do with the kids or you can spice it up with an adults-only game. Like speed scrabble, the game comes in a convenient banana-shaped pouch making it great to play on the go.

Never Have I Ever

Amazon

 You and your friends can put your trust to the test by sharing your deepest, most embarrassing secrets in this revealing game.

Secret Confessions Game- Adult Version

Amazon

Get ready to laugh the night away with this far too funny game. Each group member will take turns reading the cards’ prompts. With each prompt, every player will answer “yes” or “no.”

The Voting Game

Amazon

 In this game, instead of voting for the funniest answer, you vote for the player each card seems to describe. Talk about finding out who your real friends are.

Drawing Without Dignity

Amazon

It’s part Cards Against Humanity, part Pictionary. If you have friends who are particularly good artists (or even if they’re not), this game will bring you hours of fun.

Catan Strategy Board Game

Target

Like a medieval monopoly, full of knights, peasants, robbers and everything prehistoric. This game is focused around building settlements and protecting your land.

Relative Insanity

Walmart

Created by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, this game is based around familial interactions gone wrong with a Cards Against Humanity style of playing.

Influencers in the Wild

Amazon

If you follow the popular Instagram account, then you can probably guess the basics of this board game. Go places, gain followers and get famous to win this pop culture game.

We hope you've enjoyed this round-up of our favorite adult card games, and even if Cards Against Humanity is now somehow worth $500 Million your memories from these nights will always be priceless!

Keep you party going with Brit + Co.

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.
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Every Holiday Movie You Can Stream On Netflix Starting Today

The holidays are here! Well, kind of. Thanksgiving isn’t until November 28 but as far as I’m concerned, November 1 is the day the festivities can begin. I’m pulling out my holiday candles, Christmas PJ’s, and even my How the Grinch Stole Christmas vinyl to make the dreary seasonal blues a little more cheerful. And a huge part of getting into the spirit is stacking up the perfect holiday movie marathon. Thankfully Netflix already has a bunch of holiday titles coming out over the next few weeks. Here are the best (new!!) holiday movies and specials coming to Netflix starting November 1.

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition — On Netflix Now Until December 10

Adam Rose/Netflix

Nothing says the holidays like tons of delicious meals, and Chef David Chang is cooking some amazing food for his celebrity friends — and he's doing it all live. (Because, a lot of TV cooking uses swaps and stylists to make it look better than it actually is). I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition is hosted by David Chang.

Meet Me Next Christmas — On Netflix November 6

Sophie Giraud/Netflix

Christmas in New York City is truly a magical experience, and Layla's looking for her own fairytale romance this holiday season. And believe it or not, the ticket to finding her one true love is getting into the Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.

Meet Me Next Christmas streams November 6 and stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Tymika Tafari, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, Kalen Allen, Nikki Duval, and Wesley French.

Hot Frosty — On Netflix November 13

Petr Maur/Netflix

Nobody puts me in the holiday spirit like seeing Lacey Chabert onscreen, and this year, she's playing Kathy, a widow who happens to bring a handsome snowman to life. (I don't remember this in the "Frosty the Snowman" lyrics!). He helps Kathy reconnect with her emotions as they begin to fall for each other — and as he begins to melt.

Hot Frosty will stream on Netflix beginning November 13 and stars Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Craig Robinson, Joe Lo Truglio, Katy Mixon, Lauren Holly, and Chrishell Stause.

Netflix Stories: A Virgin River Christmas — On Netflix November 19

Petr Maur/Netflix

It's almost time for Virgin River season 6, which means we're getting closer to the ultimate cozy TV show. I mean, just look at those twinkly lights and pine trees in this preview image! It gives me the same exact feeling as drinking a mug of hot cocoa. This year, we're getting closer to Mel and Jack’s wedding, and confronting some serious secrets and drama along the way. This might not count as a Netflix holiday movie but I couldn't NOT include it!!!

Virgin River season 6 hits Netflix November 19 and stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, John Allen Nelson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanimé, Kai Bradbury, Kandyse McClure, Jessica Rothe, and Callum Kerr.

The Merry Gentlemen — On Netflix November 20

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Remember that One Tree Hill episode where the Ravens take part in the "Boy Toy" charity auction? Complete with a shirtless fashion show? Consider this the Netflix holiday movie response. When former dancer Ashley learns her parents' performing venue is in danger, she puts together the ultimate Christmas-themed show to raise money. Shirts not included.

The Merry Gentlemen hits Netflix November 20 and stars Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes, and Marc Anthony Samuel

Spellbound — On Netflix November 22

Skydance Animation/Netflix

Okay, this fantasy movie might not technically be a Christmas movie, but it has everything I need in my Netflix holiday movies: family, hope, and love. After her parents are turned into monsters, princess Ellian must go on the ultimate quest to put everything right.

Spellbound hits Netflix November 22 and stars Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman.

Our Little Secret — On Netflix November 27

Bob Mahoney/Netflix

If EXmas taught us anything, it's that spending the holidays with your ex is anything but calm. And in Lindsay Lohan's new movie, she finds herself at the same Christmas celebration as her ex when they realize their new SO's are siblings. No, that's not awkward at all.

Our Little Secret hits Netflix November 27 stars Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell, Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Bucatinsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Ash Santos, and Brian Unger.

Is It Cake? Holidays — On Netflix November 28

Netflix

The only thing more enjoyable than eating delicious food is watching master bakers create beautiful food. This holiday special features edible ice skates, nutcrackers, and reindeer that will change the way you look at baking forever. Watch it in one sitting and it definitely counts as a holiday movie ;).

Is It Cake? Holidays hits Netflix November 28 and stars Jonny Manganello, Andrew Fuller, April Julian, Elizabeth Rowe, Miko Kaw Hok Uy, Danya Smith, Henderson Gonzalez, Grace Pak, and Jujhar Mann, with judges Rachel Bloom, Hannah Berner, Tiffany Haddish, Devon Walker, James Austin Johnson, Chris Witaske, Sasheer Zamata, Terry Crews, Punkie Johnson, and Randall Park.

The Snow Sister — On Netflix November 29

Netflix

Julian's turning 11 on Christmas Eve, and even though it's usually the best day ever, this year is overshadowed by the death of his older sister. A newfound friendship with Hedwig helps him heal, but he can't help but feel like Hedwig's house — and the old man that's always around — are hiding secrets.

The Snow Sister hits Netflix November 29 and stars Mudit Gupta, Celina Meyer Hovland, Ole Steinkjer Øyen, Jan Sælid, Samsaya, Gunnar Eiriksson, and Advika.

Which Netflix holiday movie are you excited to watch? Let us know in the comments!

pop cultureholidaysnetflixentertainment

Upgrade Your Thanksgiving With A Crescent-Roll Cornucopia

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

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