Want to do a reverse advent calendar but not sure how to start? Check out this list of items and build your donations one day at a time!
Reverse Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for a way to spread joy this Christmas season and celebrate an Advent calendar that doesn’t involve bringing anything into your home, you will love the idea of a reverse Advent calendar!
This sweet calendar flips modern Advent on its head and instead of kids opening gifts or candy every day, you choose an item to donate daily!
I love how excited my kids get when we add an item to our box every day during December and it’s made for so many great conversations about how much we have and how we can spread the love of Christ to our community that may not have as much.
Print your own Reverse Advent Calendar here!
What is an Advent Calendar?
An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count down the days until Christmas. Usually, these calendars start on December 1st and finish on Christmas Day and often involve opening a little door to reveal candy or a special gift.
If you’re as old as I am, you remember when Advent calendars were just a piece of chocolate. Nowadays, there’s every “theme” under the sun and these calendars can get a wee bit out of hand in the gifting department.
What is a Reverse Advent Calendar?
In the spirit of giving and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, for a Reverse Advent Calendar your family can collect one (new, unexpired) food item from your pantry every day.
Note: if you’re not into the idea of a pantry box, you could collect other household items to donate like toys, clothing, winter gear, etc.
Here’s how it works:
- Starting December 1st, take an item from your pantry and put it into a box or basket every day.
- On Christmas Eve or at the end of the month, box up your goodies in a cardboard box or plastic bin and bring them to a local food bank.
It’s that easy!
Print your very own calendar and join the PPP Team in giving back this year!
This is such an amazing way to easily give back this year and will not only bless those in need in your community but also keep your family focused on the true meaning in this season and giving instead of getting.
We have this calendar for during the advent season, but you could start now and have a box ready for the next month too.
No matter how you choose to give ~ just considering doing something small for those in need as we head into this festive season. We are blessed to be a blessing, and I’m excited to join you this year as we bless others who may need an extra gift this year!
Other Ways to Give Back
Want some other ideas on how to give back as a family or celebrate kindness during the Advent season? Check out these ideas!
64 Non-Gift Advent Calendar Ideas
5o Ideas for Operation Christmas Child Boxes
Birthday Cake Kits for the Food Bank
My son is planning a reverse advent calendar. Does he have permission to use your calendar and information from your site to create an introduction video on Facebook?
Hi Danielle! Please send us an email at shop@passionatepennypincher.com so we can assist you better. Have a blessed day!
I think this is such an awesome idea! The only problem I had was finding a place to donate. Can you believe it? All the food banks have given out the donations. This is my 2nd year doing this. I so enjoy it. This year there is an actual person collecting for clothes & food. I have my box completed. I do it all at one time. Merry Christmas All!
Can I hand this out to the children in my church’s religious ed program? I would also share on our religious ed Facebook page. Thank you. Kathy Alexander
Yes! We would love for you to share this with others! 🙂
Thank you!
I did this last year Nov 2020 & got 6 boxes by the end of Nov. In progress now for the end of Nov 2021 & have received six boxes. My goal is 10. We are a very small church with 30 active members.
LOVE that Linda ~ I’m sure those will be such a blessing!
Is there anyway to get this post on Facebook ? I think it is a great idea.
We shared it there Mabel – thank you for sharing!
I am the pastor of a United Methodist church in Northport, Al. We chose reverse Advent as a part of our Christmas ministry. We have collected 15 food boxes to share with those in need and the elderly. God is good
Do we have permission to use your reverse advent calendar image on a blog post this month for the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church?
My son and I did this last year and he actually mentioned to me about doing it again last year just last night. Cant wait to get started .
I love that Georgeanna- thanks for sharing!
I doh’t do Advent so I am doing mine at the start of the Jewish New Year.
I love this idea! Starting at Thanksgiving would also be great & delivering it after New Years is even better like another reader said! Thank you so much for making this printable and shareable!
I love this idea, I love the idea of donating to the local food bank, but I am modifying to meet the needs of a family member. When I found out a disabled family member was trying to survive on $15 a month on food stamps, I decided to do this for my own family. Merry Christmas to all.
I love this idea! My 3 year old and I are participating this year. I know its a bit late, but I made this and cover up the days with a post it note so he has something to take off the calendar every day before getting the food and putting it in the box. Thanks so much for the great idea!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yAkueaC1uIgre42EpyNq5tb6PlpxnQWc
I love that Ben – such a great idea! 🙂
I just shared this on my neighborhood group page (Facebook) and everyone was excited. We have a local food pantry for our little town in Ohio. Thank you for showing us a way to pay it forward!
LOVE that Jessie! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Terrific list! I shared it on my FB page, and friends (one of whom used to work as Family Support Specialist) noted that it should be concluded and taken to the Food Bank a few days before Christmas Eve because the banks usually hand out the Christmas boxes around the 22nd or 23rd. Just a suggestion — maybe start the advent calendar the day/week after Thanksgiving? Thanks for great ideas!
Thanks so much for the tip Rebecca! 🙂
While this is a great suggestion, the food pantry that I volunteer at has a drastic drop off of donations after the holidays. No one should go hungry for the holidays, but many people are still hungry later on. I plan on delivering mine after the first of the year. Lots of people are reminded around the holidays but we shouldn’t forget people are hungry all year! Thanks for the great Advent Calendar, my family intends to participate!
Thank you so much Susy for sharing and all you do! And I agree – we keep a food box by our back door, and any time I go to the grocery I just add a few more things on each trip. Then every month or two I drop off the food at our local food pantry – while this is a wonderful season to focus on it, it’s so important to give all Christmas season long!
Saw this on FB awhile back and shared it so I was able to find it on my home page and have printed it out so I will be ready starting Dec 1st. Now the trick is to follow thru to the end. Wish me presistence, started to say luck. No luck involved just “do it” to steal a saying.
We currently have three people from our church in North Royalton, Ohio who have joined your Advent Reverse. God is good
I love that Adele – that totally makes my day! Thank you for sharing!
Can I share this on my church’s fb page?
I would love that Sheryl – thanks so much for checking!