How It Works
A Simple, Joyful Tradition That Makes a Real Difference
What Is a Reverse Advent Calendar?
Click here for Step-By-Step Guide on What to do (it’s so easy)
The Reverse Advent Calendar is one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to give back during the holiday season. Instead of opening something each day, you put something in — creating a box filled with essentials, comfort items, and kindness for a Calgary family who needs extra support at Christmas.
Whether you’re participating as a household, a corporate office, a retail team, a school classroom, a sports team, or on your own, the steps are the same. And the impact is real.
Let’s make Christmas about giving again — one item, one day, one act of generosity at a time.
Starting some time between November 25th and Dec 2nd – ideally you want a solid 24 or 25 days lead-up time before donation date. Deliver your completed box to a local charity accepting gifts and donations on or before December 22–23.
It’s meaningful. It’s festive. And it directly supports families experiencing hardship right here in Calgary.
Which Charities Can Be Supported?
Community Giving
Decorating Ideas
Decorating Ideas
Donation Recommendations
Sample Give-List
Why it Matters
A community where simple acts of daily generosity transform the holiday season for families in need.
For many Calgary families, Christmas is heavy.
Rising costs, empty shelves, and a season built on expectations can create stress when joy is out of reach.
Your box — simple as it may seem — does three powerful things:
- Feeds families
- Relieves financial pressure
- Shows someone they’re not alone
- Creates repeatable traditions in your own family, office, or team
Whether you contribute as a household, a corporate office, a retail staff team, a hockey team, or a group of friends — your daily act of giving becomes a lifeline.
It’s community, compassion, and Calgary spirit in its purest form.
Stories Of Impact
Let’s make Christmas about giving again
The Reverse Advent Calendar Program
We at Reverse Advent Calendar Calgary, want to make giving during the holidays simple, joyful, and accessible
by guiding Calgarians to fill a festive box with essential items and deliver it to families in need.
In a Nut(cracker) Shell - Here's How it works
Step 1: Get a Good-Sized Box
Any sturdy box works
Use a medium or large sized moving box, a Costco produce box, an oversized boot box, etc. Re-enforce the bottom if needed.
You can also pick up empty box from Calgary Food Bank
Step 2: Decorate the Box
Gather your group
Be festive. Add some holiday charm such as wrapping, bows, ribbons, stickers, etc.
More decorating ideas
Step 3: Place Items in Box Everyday
Make It a Daily Tradition
Invite your family, office team, classroom, or sports group to participate. Add notes of encouragement, fun stickers, or mini challenges. Daily donations of non-perishable food items, cash, warm clothing such as gloves and socks, toiletries, and more.
Needed Items
Step 4 — Drop Off Before Christmas
On or before December 23rd, take your filled box to a Calgary charity of your choice. Assign one volunteer or make an event of it.
Calgary Donation Partners
The beauty of the Reverse Advent Calendar is that everyone can take part.
- Families can make it a nightly tradition.
- Individuals can fill a box on their own or with a friend.
- Offices can turn it into a team-building challenge.
- Retail shops can invite customers to drop items in a community box.
- Restaurants, gyms, and breweries can host collection spots.
- Classrooms can teach kindness one day at a time.
- Sports teams can rally players and parents to pack a box together.
- Faith groups, community centres, unions, and clubs can fill multiple boxes with ease.
No matter your size, schedule, or budget, this is a holiday tradition that welcomes everyone.
Because kindness belongs to all of us.
(You could even fill more than one box.)
🎄 Need Help with Pickup / Delivery?
If you need help delivering the collected items in your Reverse Advent Calendar box or you want us to pick it up for you, contact us at least 1-2 days ahead of time. We can arrange to your preferred charity for you.
Contact Details
(825) 824-9464
Reverse Advent Calendar Calgary
North Pole
H0H 0H0
reverseadvent.ca
Sitemap
- How It Works
- Stories: The Power of Giving
- About Reverse Advent Calgary Calgary
- Local Charities Needing Your Help
- What to Put In Your Box
- Fun Ways to Decorate Your Box
- Contact Us
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