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Advent Calendar

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Advent calendar

A printable advent calendar — count down to Christmas.

24 numbered boxes, one for each day from December 1st through Christmas Eve. Fill each with a small note, a sticker, or cut them out as gift tags.

1-page PDF · 24 countdown boxes

Tips for the best result

Print on cardstock. Standard printer paper works, but heavier 65-110 lb cardstock holds up better when handled daily across December and survives little hands.

Cut and bind, or use flat. The simplest setup is to print the page and check off boxes as you go. For a more festive result, cut along the box edges and tape each box over a small treat or envelope on a backer board.

Make it a tradition. Pre-fill all 24 boxes the weekend before December 1 — once it's done, the daily ritual takes 30 seconds and quickly becomes a favorite December moment for the whole family.

Goes great with the Christmas section. Pair with a Christmas card, gift certificate, or letter from Santa from the holiday template library.

More Christmas printables
Christmas Cards & Letters from Santa
Christmas cards, letters from Santa, gift certificates, and other holiday templates.
Open →
For year-round countdowns
Countdown Calendar
Count down the days to any target date — wedding, baby due date, vacation, retirement.
Open →

Frequently asked questions

What's an advent calendar and how does it work?
An advent calendar is a Christmas countdown — open one numbered window or box per day from December 1 through December 24, building anticipation for Christmas. The tradition is centuries old in Northern Europe; modern versions usually contain a small treat, picture, scripture verse, or activity behind each door.
What can I put in each box?
Anything that fits in or behind a small printed box — handwritten notes for a partner, a daily scripture verse for a family devotion, candy or chocolate (taped behind), a tiny activity card ("bake cookies tonight"), or a small toy or trinket for kids. Some families use it as a reverse-advent: each day they put something IN the box (e.g. a canned good for a food drive).
How do I assemble the printed advent calendar?
Print on cardstock for the sturdiest result. The 24 boxes can be (1) used flat as a checklist taped to the fridge, (2) cut apart into 24 individual gift tags or treat envelopes, or (3) mounted on a backer board with envelopes glued behind each box. The simplest setup: print, mark off each day with a pen.
Is there a version with 25 boxes for Christmas Day?
Not currently — the calendar follows the 24-day liturgical advent tradition (Dec 1-24, with Christmas Day itself being the celebration, not part of the countdown). If you want 25 boxes, print twice and cut a 25th box from the second copy.
Does this work for Orthodox Christmas (January 7)?
The numbered boxes are calendar-agnostic — you can use them for any 24-day countdown. For Orthodox Christmas, start the calendar on December 14 and end January 6. The box numbers (1-24) just become "days until Christmas."
Are the templates really free?
Yes — every Apollo's Templates calendar is free. No signup, no watermark, no email required. Print as many copies as you want for personal, family, or classroom use.
Updated through May 2026