How to Make a DIY Botanical Advent Calendar with Muslin Pouches

Astrid van Essen
Oct 30
4 min read

Countdown to Christmas the Natural Way

Every December, I look forward to creating small rituals that make the season feel warm and intentional. Instead of buying a plastic or chocolate-filled calendar, I love crafting a botanical version — one that feels tactile, personal, and deeply connected to the natural world.

This DIY advent calendar features muslin pouches that can be stamped, embroidered, or naturally dyed, each filled with a thoughtful surprise. It’s a simple project that turns the countdown to Christmas into a daily act of creativity and calm.

A minimal, natural flat lay of small muslin pouches arranged neatly on a light neutral surface (white marble background). Some pouches are hand-stamped with botanical motifs and numbers in soft sage and clay tones, others feature delicate pressed-leaf or fern prints. Natural jute strings, sprigs of rosemary and lavender, and dried orange slices scattered gently around. — How to Make a DIY Botanical Advent Calendar with Muslin Pouches

Read on if you'd like to get ideas on how you can make your own DIY Botanical Advent Calendar!

What You’ll Need

24 small muslin or linen drawstring pouches
Fabric ink or natural dye pigments (for stamping or colouring)
Wooden or rubber number stamps, or an embroidery needle and thread
Jute or linen string for hanging
A branch, wooden dowel, or simple frame
Optional: botanical elements such as rosemary, eucalyptus, dried orange slices, or cinnamon sticks for decoration

Decorating the Pouches

There are many ways to decorate your advent pouches — choose the method that suits your time, tools, and aesthetic best.

1. Stamp with Natural Inks

A quick, clean option that still feels like it was handmade.

Mix your own natural pigments (e.g. beetroot for pink, turmeric for gold, coffee for brown) or use eco-friendly fabric ink.
Use stamps to add numbers 1–24 and small botanical designs such as ferns, stars, or sprigs.
Press firmly and let dry completely before filling.

2. Hand Embroider the Numbers

If you prefer slow crafting, embroidery adds a lovely heirloom touch.

Use muted threads such as sage, cream, or rust.
Stitch simple numbers, leaves, or berries.
Embroider a few each evening — it’s a mindful way to ease into the season.

Close-up of a small muslin drawstring pouch embroidered with the number 12 in soft sage-green thread. Simple botanical stitch details tiny leaves or sprigs framing the number. The pouch rests on a light linen or marble surface with gentle natural daylight. — DIY Botanical Advent Calendar: Embroidered Muslin Pouch

3. Create Botanical Prints

Make leaf prints directly on the fabric for a delicate, organic effect.

Paint one side of a leaf (e.g. rosemary, fern, sage) with pigment and press onto the muslin.
Allow to dry and seal the print with a warm iron (placing a cloth in between).
Each pouch becomes a tiny piece of botanical art.

DIY Botanical Advent Calendar: Stamped With Botanical Prints

4. Add Finishing Touches

Tie a sprig of lavender or rosemary to the drawstring.
Add small wooden tags or pressed-flower labels for texture.
Keep colours natural — soft creams, greens, and browns for a calm, cohesive look.

What to Put Inside

Each pouch can hold a simple, sensory treat or something meaningful. Here are some ideas:

Dried herbs or botanicals for mini simmer pot blends
Handwritten notes — affirmations, quotes, or prompts
Mini candles or tealights
Bath salts or tea blends
Pressed flower ornaments or air-dry clay charms
Seeds for spring planting
A few dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks for scent

How to Assemble

Arrange your decorated pouches in number order.
Tie them along a branch, dowel, or hanging frame using linen string.
Add festive touches, such as dried orange garlands or eucalyptus sprigs.
Hang it on a wall, door, or mantle where you’ll see it daily.

Each morning, untie a pouch and savour what’s inside — a small, mindful moment amid December’s bustle.

How to Display Your Advent Calendar

Once your pouches are ready, think about how you’d like to display them — this is where you can really make it your own. I love using a foraged branch hung on the wall with a jute string; it feels simple, natural, and beautifully minimal.

Minimal hanging advent calendar made from small muslin pouches suspended from a natural wooden branch with jute string. Each pouch features a mix of stamped numbers and delicate botanical prints in soft sage and clay tones. A few sprigs of eucalyptus and dried orange slices accent the branch. — How to Display Your Advent Calendar: Using A Foraged Branch

You can also tie the pouches around a wooden hoop or wreath frame, alternating with sprigs of eucalyptus, rosemary, or dried orange slices for a botanical touch.

How to Display Your Advent Calendar: Creating A Wreath

For a more structured display, arrange them neatly in a shallow wooden tray or drawer — perfect for a tabletop or mantle. A peg rail, ladder, or linen board can also work well if you prefer a more organised look. However you choose to style it, keep the overall feel light and natural, letting the materials and textures speak for themselves.

A clean, minimal tabletop advent calendar display featuring small muslin pouches arranged neatly inside a shallow wooden tray. Some pouches are hand-stamped with numbers and others show delicate botanical prints in soft sage and clay tones. — How to Display Your Advent Calendar: Arrange The Pouches In A Shallow Tray

Sustainable Tip

Reuse the pouches year after year. You can refill them with new treats or even create a “sharing advent” to gift to a friend or family member next season.

If you enjoyed this project, you might like to explore more natural Christmas crafts:

How to Make Orange Pomander Balls for Christmas — a fragrant, timeless decoration made with fresh oranges and cloves.
DIY Papier-Mâché Christmas Baubles — an eco-friendly way to create your own tree ornaments with a natural finish.

How to Make a DIY Botanical Advent Calendar FAQs

1. Can I wash the pouches after use?

Yes — handwash in cool water if they’re plain or naturally dyed. If embroidered, spot clean gently to preserve the stitching.

2. Can I use other fabrics besides muslin?

Linen, cotton, or hemp bags work beautifull,y too. Aim for natural fibres so they can be reused or composted.

3. How can I make the calendar smell festive?

Tuck in a few cloves, star anise, or cinnamon sticks. You can also mist each pouch lightly with a natural room spray or essential oil blend.

4. How do I keep the colours from fading?

If using natural dyes, fix the colour with a vinegar and salt soak before drying. For stamped ink, choose a fabric ink that’s washable.

5. What if I don’t have time to decorate all 24?

Alternate: decorate every second pouch and leave the others plain, or wrap them with coloured thread for a minimalist look.