15 Top Advent Calendar Filler Ideas That Everyone Will Love

The countdown to Christmas is officially on, which means Christmas Eve boxes and advent calendars are ready to be filled. Traditional paper calendars with pictures and a chocolate treat behind each door are always popular, but these days it's easier than ever to get creative. If you'd like to veer away from chocolate and head down a more personalised route, a DIY fill-your-own advent calendar is a great way to inject some sentimental fun.

Choosing tiny fillings to fit specific dimensions can feel daunting, but fill-your-own calendars are our thing. We've put together our tips, tricks and inspiration, along with a few of our favourite Christmas calendars, so you have everything you need for the perfect Christmas countdown.

Curating the perfect advent calendar is all about the little details. Whether you're looking to spark creativity, provide a moment of daily pampering, or simply share a token of your affection, the best fillings are the ones that bring a smile to their face each morning. To help you get started, we’ve gathered 15 of our absolute favourite ideas that turn a simple countdown into a collection of daily delights.

Jump to:

1. Matchbox tokens
2. Craft bits like glitter, ribbons, or stickers
3. Hair accessories like scrunchies or clips
4. Beauty bits like lip balm or tiny nail polish
5. Mini bottles of wine, cocktails, or spirits
6. Novelty wine bottle stoppers
7. Household favourite sweets and chocolates
8. Lottery tickets or scratch cards
9. Crystals, rocks, or pretty pebbles
10. Festive hanging decorations
11. DIY coupons like beach trips and dinner out
12. Movie tickets and Gift vouchers
13. Sentimental tokens and love letters
14. Small jewellery like rings and earrings
15. Personalised jewellery

These tiny, sentiment-filled treasures are perfect for tucking into small advent drawers. Made from ceramic and housed in charming illustrated boxes, matchbox tokens offer a daily dose of warmth and love that the receiver can carry in their pocket or keep on their desk.

Ideal for the creative soul, adding craft elements like glitter, ribbons, and stickers is a wonderful way to spark festive creativity. It gives the recipient a little dose of inspiration to make their own Christmas cards, wrap presents, or decorate, making the holiday build-up feel active and artistic.

A super practical and stylish filler that's small enough to fit inside almost any advent pocket. Perfect for keeping hair back during festive cooking or adding a stylish touch to Christmas party outfits, hair accessories are a daily luxury they'll use long after December is over.

Cold December days require a bit of self-care. Tiny beauty bits like hydrating lip balms or mini festive nail polishes are excellent pampering treats that fit perfectly in advent pockets, offering a moment of daily indulgence during the busy holiday season.

Bring a touch of festive cheer with a mini tipple! A small bottle of wine, a pre-mixed cocktail, or a favourite spirit is a lovely grown-up treat for the recipient to enjoy while winding down at the end of a busy winter evening.

A fun and functional gift for any host or wine lover. Novelty bottle stoppers add a touch of personality to festive gatherings and are extremely useful during party season when there are plenty of half-opened bottles to preserve.

You can't beat a classic. Filling a few days with their favourite household sweets or chocolates guarantees a sweet smile; providing a quick, familiar treat that brings instant comfort and joy.

Inject a bit of lighthearted excitement and suspense into their morning with a scratch card or lottery ticket. The thrill of potentially winning a prize is a fun, unexpected element that adds a unique buzz to their daily routine.

For those who appreciate natural beauty or mindfulness, a pocket-sized crystal, polished rock, or unique pebble makes a symbolic gift. It represents positive energy, grounding, and personal connection, serving as a peaceful keepsake.

Help them decorate their tree day-by-day! Miniature festive ornaments or hanging decorations are wonderful keepsakes that can go straight onto the Christmas tree, building up their holiday decor and creating a sweet tradition they'll revisit every year.

Sometimes the best gifts aren't objects, but experiences. DIY coupons for future beach trips, or a cozy dinner out are a wonderful way to gift quality time and give the recipient something special to look forward to in the new year.

Gift vouchers and tickets provide the ultimate flexibility and excitement. Tucking a gift card or movie ticket into a pocket gives them the chance to treat themselves to a future experience or purchase, extending the joy of gifting well past Christmas Day.

The most cherished advent fillers are often the most personal. A small love letter, a heart token, or a list of reasons why you love them is an incredibly touching gesture that makes the recipient feel deeply valued and loved.

Sparkle is a must during the holidays! Delicate pieces of everyday jewellery like dainty rings or hypoallergenic earrings are luxurious yet tiny enough to slip into advent drawers, making the countdown feel as fashionable as it does special.

The ultimate centrepiece of a custom advent calendar. An engraved necklace or a piece of personalised jewellery featuring their initials or a special date is a truly meaningful keepsake that they can wear close to their heart, adding a personal touch to their holiday countdown.

Advent calendars don't always have to be for kids. They are a fantastic way to spread out luxurious gifts throughout December rather than waiting for the big day. When filling drawers for adults, focus on small treasures and quiet luxuries tailored to their hobbies and interests.

• Jewellery Lovers: Surprise them with sweet studs, like our Sterling Silver Interlocking Heart Stud Earrings. Whether it's a grand finale for day 24 or a special treat scattered throughout, jewellery is always a winner. 
• Keepsake Collectors: Add a touch of charm with our matchbox tokens. The Tiny Matchbox Ceramic Christmas Tree Token is the perfect way to send festive wishes. 
• Sweet Tooths: Keep it simple with pre-wrapped festive treats. Our Monty Bojangles Persian Pink Choccy Scoffy Cat Tin is ideal for giving them a delicious, varied surprise for every door. 
• For the Men in Your Life: Don't panic, there are plenty of fun options! From novelty items like beard glitter or temporary tattoos to more practical gifts like keyrings, movie tickets, and experience vouchers, there’s something for every boyfriend, husband, or friend. 

Other great ideas: 

• Mini bottles of alcohol 
• Perfume miniatures 
• Cookie cutters 
• Tree decorations 
• Love notes 
• Compact mirrors

December is such an exciting time for children, and a Christmas calendar is the perfect way to build that anticipation.

When it comes to fillers, keep it simple and fun:

• Sweet Treats: Grab a box of pre-wrapped goodies, like our Monty Bojangles Persian Pink Choccy Scoffy Cat Tin, for an easy and delicious daily surprise. 
• Crafting Fun: Spark their creativity by filling drawers with glitter, washi tape, festive stickers, and ribbons. It's a great way to inspire them to make their own Christmas cards or letters for Santa while counting down the days. 

Other great filler ideas: 

• Miniature toy cars or figurines 
• Christmas tree decorations 
• Mini stationery or erasers 
• Bouncy balls or marbles 
• Traditional toys like yoyos 
• Handmade origami figurines

Getting the whole family involved in the countdown is a fantastic bonding exercise, bringing everyone closer before the big day. For partners, friends, and kids alike, there are plenty of ways to make every December morning exciting.

• Lottery Tickets & Scratch Cards: Roll these up and pop them in the drawers for a daily dose of excitement, a fun activity for everyone. 
• Crystals & Stones: Perfect for all ages, these beautiful treasures; whether valued for their aesthetic or healing properties, fit beautifully in our Fill Your Own Christmas Bow Paper Advent Calendar. 
• Experience Tokens: Why not create memories with our Wooden Christmas Countdown Advent Tokens. Prompts like "make a hot chocolate" or "visit a Christmas market" gift your loved ones the precious opportunity to spend quality time together during the busy festive rush.

Our furry friends are absolutely part of the family, so why should they get left out of the magic? Advent calendar drawers and boxes are often the perfect size for yummy treats, tiny toys, nuts, seeds, and more. Our Personalised Wooden Christmas Countdown Advent Hamper Box is the perfect shape and size to fill with doggy or kitty snacks to pull out each day of December. They may not know exactly what is going on, but you will, and the main thing is you'll see just how happy it makes them! Better yet, these boxes are reusable and refillable (just like all our advents), meaning it can be taken out and used year after year.

Even with all of our ideas for enchanting advent calendar fillers, there are still countless more out there waiting to be thought up. Anything the right size can be popped into Christmas calendar drawers and boxes, giving all of us the opportunity to make the Christmas countdown truly special. Head to our magical Christmas shop to discover many more meaningful gifts, treats, and trinkets.

Why not give the family a chance to choose their own treats? Share our list of inspo and ideas with them and see what kind of whimsical winter advent fillers you can come up with together!