64 Non-Gift Advent Calendar Ideas That Focus on Kindness & Connection!

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Looking for a little more connection and a little less stuff this Christmas? Here are non-gift Advent calendar ideas to inspire your family!

Non-Gift Advent Calendar Ideas

If you’re yearning to add a bit more quality time and a little less “stuff” to your family’s Christmas season – consider swapping out your gift/trinket/candy Advent calendar for something a little more thoughtful. We’ve got a TON of non-gift Advent calendar ideas to share with you!

This year, I’ve been wanting to remind my kids about the real meaning of Christmas and really make the most of our time together. Plus, from a budget standpoint, I can’t just go out and buy 24 little gifts (times 2!) just to lead up to the big gift day.

Phew. Are you feeling the squeeze, too, mama?

So, I compiled this list of 64 non-gift Advent activities that focus on time together, acts of kindness, and celebrating Christ’s birth. I’m also giving you some tips and ideas for making your own Advent calendar, or using a store-bought calendar to make this work.

Here’s to a little more family connection this year and less going-to-get-thrown-away-next-week toys.

How to make an Activity Advent Calendar

Since our non-gift Advent is more action items (things to do as a family or for your community), it is SO easy to make your own calendar. All you really need is a few sheets of paper and pen! But, you can get more creative if you like.

To make ours, I grabbed a pre-made box calendar that we’ll be able to use year after year. Then, I cut out 24 little squares of paper using my paper cutter (you could also just use scissors). If you don’t want to cut anything, use sticky notes or note cards.

Then, I wrote one activity on each paper and placed it in the calendar. If you want to dress your cards up a bit, you could use stickers or markers, etc. but I decided to go a simpler route.

(Note: I did include a couple pieces of candy here and there on days where the task was short, but not every day.)

Instead of using a box, you could grab some string and tape or clip each paper to it, making a garland of sorts. Or, tape each paper to the wall or around a mirror. There are lots of ways to make your calendar using just what you have on hand.

Here are a few tips for making your own Advent calendar:

Make it work for you, too: check your calendar before writing your activity cards. If you have any Christmas-related plans already, add them into your calendar so you’re not doing double duty!
Keep it simple: There are SO many completely free ideas on this list or activities that require zero set up. If you need simplicity this season, focus more on conversations and things you’re already doing around your home and daily life.
Resist the urge: resist the urge from social media telling you that you need to plan bigger, better activities for your kids or get them a new present or book each day. It’s just too much stuff and overwhelming for everyone. Trust me, your kids will be happier with a family dance party in the living room than they would with any toy.

Non-gift Advent calendar ideas

Here are 64 ideas that you can pick and choose from to make your Advent calendar! Don’t have time to read through the whole list? No problem, you can absolutely use the first 24 and call it a day.

Write a letter to someone
Donate books/toys
Make Christmas cookies
Pray for someone
Hot cocoa + movie night (we love this easy, homemade hot cocoa mix)
Play a family board game
Write thank you cards/Christmas cards for teachers
Have a snowball fight
Drive around to look at Christmas lights
Call a family member or friend and sing a Christmas carol (OR go to their house!)
Make reindeer food (it’s basically just oats + sprinkles 🙂 )
Go for a family walk
Visit Santa
Do an act of kindness
Family drawing/coloring night (or Legos, puzzles, whatever your family is into)
Help wrap presents (and decorate the paper, too!)
Donate food to a food bank
Paint rocks with an encouraging message and hide them
Take a meal to someone
Make a craft
Tell someone what you like about them and what makes them special
Kids help make dinner
Talk about what you’re thankful for
Christmas music dance party (level up by adding some glow sticks and turning off the lights!)
Make Christmas cards
Family photo in front of the tree – see who can make the silliest face
Deliver cookies to a nursing home (here’s our tips on how to pack up treats for someone!)
Bring a treat to a neighbor
Read Christmas books
PJs & a movie
Make your own snow
Leave a happy note for someone to find
Bring treats to your librarians & thank them
Decorate a gingerbread house
Find 15 hidden candy canes around the house
Make a gift for someone
Rake and run – rake leaves for a neighbor without taking credit
Cut paper snowflakes
Reflect on the Story of Christmas
Drive or walk through a Live Nativity scene
Picnic dinner by the Christmas tree (throw the food in a muffin tin and it’s even easier!)
Volunteer at a shelter, food bank, or church
Go on a family date
Write a Christmas story as a family – one line at a time (The sillier the better!)
Candlelight (and Christmas lights!) dinner
Write a letter to Santa
Learn about Christmas traditions from other countries
Go ice skating
Make a time capsule ornament or box
Buy flowers to give to a stranger
Leave a treat for the mailman or trash collectors
Donate blankets, towels, or food to an animal shelter
Do a chore for a family member
Take treats to the police or fire station
Kids choice dinner (pretend you’re a restaurant!)
Make a Christmas simmer pot
Do an indoor scavenger hunt
Play holiday charades
Make a “Christmas past” scrapbook
Make a popcorn garland
Buy a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots
Bundle up and take a nature walk
Make homemade play dough
Attend an Advent service at church