Make an Advent calendar, with help from AI

3 min readHolidays 🎁

One small surprise a day until Christmas. AI can fill in the days so you can enjoy the countdown.

An Advent or countdown calendar turns the busy weeks before Christmas into something to look forward to each morning. Filling every day is the hard part. An AI chat app like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude can give you a full list in a minute that fits your family, your budget and the time you have. You choose what goes in.

Step 1: Decide what kind of calendar

Example: "I want to make a Christmas countdown calendar for my grandkids, ages 5 and 9, who live with me on weekends. Give me three simple ideas for the kind of calendar we could do, like a small treat each day, an activity each day, or a note each day, and the pros and cons of each."

Pick the one that fits your week. A note or an activity costs little and works well for grandkids who live far away, too.

Step 2: Fill in every day

Example: "Make a list of 24 short Christmas countdown activities for a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old. Each should take under 20 minutes and use things we likely have at home. Put the bigger ones on Saturdays and Sundays."

Ask it to mark which days need shopping, so you can buy everything in one trip.

Step 3: Keep it in budget

Example: "I have about [$30] for a 24-day Advent calendar for two kids. Suggest small, low-cost fillers, and mix in free days like a joke, a riddle or a coupon for a story at bedtime."

Step 4: A faith-based calendar

Example: "Help me plan a simple daily Advent reading and a one-line prayer or reflection for each day, for a family with young children. Keep each day to a few minutes."

Check readings with your own Bible, church or pastor. Your church's traditions come first.

Step 5: For family far away

Example: "My grandkids live in another state. Give me 24 short notes, riddles or video call ideas I can send one a day as a countdown, written for a 9-year-old."

Things to know

• Your traditions come first. Families and churches keep Advent in different ways. If you're unsure about something, ask your church or family rather than relying on AI.
• Check treats and small items for little ones. Skip anything small enough to be a choking hazard for young children, and watch for food allergies.
• AI can make mistakes. Read the list through before you shop or print it.
• Keep private details out of the chat. First names and ages are plenty.
• Free is fine. Any free AI chat app can do everything on this page.

Also read: Use AI to plan things to do when family visits for the holidays

Also read: Use AI to write a letter from Santa

Also read: Use AI to sort your holiday to-do list