How to Set Up a 24 Pocket Advent Calendar for Kids

Quick answer

Hang the calendar at your child's eye level, fill each of the 24 pockets with one small, age-safe item, and decide in advance whether the countdown starts December 1 or on the first Sunday of Advent. Keep the keepsake bag for storage so the setup repeats easily next year.

Step-by-step setup

1. Choose the hanging spot: Pick a wall or door at your toddler's eye level, away from radiators, direct sunlight, and reachable curtain cords. Measure the space before hanging; the Festive Friends calendar measures 40 x 14 inches, so check that width and drop fit your chosen wall. Check that the bottom pocket is low enough for your child to reach without climbing.
2. Hang securely: Use a nail, adhesive hook, or over-the-door hanger rated for the filled weight, and test it with a gentle pull before adding contents. A common mistake is hanging on a loose hook that tips when a pocket is tugged. Recheck the fixing after the first few days, once pockets are full.
3. Decide the start date: Count back from December 24 so the final pocket lands on Christmas Eve, or start on December 1 and use all 24 pockets in order. Write the date on a small card in each pocket if your family needs a visual cue. Agree the start date with your child before December so there is no negotiation on day one.
4. Sort contents by pocket size: Lay out all 24 items and test each one in a pocket before filling. Items that bulge or stick out should be swapped for a folded activity note or a smaller token. If an item does not sit flat inside the pocket, it is too big for this calendar.
5. Fill pockets in order: Work from pocket 1 to pocket 24 so you do not lose track, and keep a written list of what went where. A common mistake is filling randomly and then forgetting which day holds a perishable or fragile item. Photograph the filled calendar so you can recreate the same order next year.
6. Set a daily routine: Choose a consistent time, such as after breakfast, for opening the pocket together. Supervise toddlers during opening so small pieces are not mouthed, and keep the empty pockets flat rather than stuffed. If your child loses interest, switch to activity notes for a few days rather than adding more toys.
7. Store it for next year: After December 24, empty the pockets, check for stains, and fold the calendar into its keepsake bag. Store it with your holiday decorations so it is easy to find in November. Note any repairs or missing pieces on the storage bag before putting it away.

Product facts

• Festive Friends 24 Pocket Advent Calendar: Screen-printed on 100% organic cotton twill with a pocket for each of the 24 days and packaged in a keepsake bag. The keepsake bag makes off-season storage straightforward, so the calendar is ready to hang again next December.

  

• 24 Pocket Advent Calendar - Winter Animals: Winter animals in a hand-painted style on organic cotton twill canvas, with 24 pockets and a keepsake bag. The canvas fabric holds its shape when pockets are filled, which helps the calendar hang evenly on a wall.