A december chalkboard calendar turns a plain slate into the heartbeat of your holiday kitchen or entryway. Whether you want a full grid to track every day or a countdown strip the kids can check off, chalk art makes the season feel a little more magic.
Here are 27 ideas, from calendar grids to Scripture-inspired scenes, to fill your board with holiday cheer all month long.
Month-at-a-Glance Grids
1. Snowy Month Grid
The sign reads “DECEMBER” in tall red chalk letters. The grid below has weekday letters S M T W T F S in red, green and white, with the 1 on Tuesday and 31 on Thursday. A white snowflake sits in each top corner.
Perfect by the kitchen counter, where the whole family checks the date. Draw the grid lines first, then add numbers last.
2. Starry Night Grid
“DECEMBER” is lettered in deep red chalk across the top. The grid has weekday letters in sage green and white, the 1 on Tuesday and 31 on Thursday, and tiny gold stars scattered around the edges.
This one feels dreamy in a bedroom or nursery. Add the stars last so they land naturally.
3. Pine Garland Grid
“DECEMBER” appears in white block letters under a drooping pine garland with a red bow in the center. The grid below has weekday letters in red, green and white, with the 1 on Tuesday and 31 on Thursday.
The garland suits a mantel or entryway board. Draw it in loose scallops so it drapes naturally.
Countdown to Christmas
4. Twenty-Five Box Strip
“COUNTDOWN” is lettered in deep red block capitals across the top of the board. Below it stretches a long strip of 25 small boxes numbered 1 to 25 in order, with a gold star drawn inside box 25 to mark the big day.
This strip fits nicely on a narrow wall or above a doorway. Cross off one box each day until the big day.
5. Mitten Clothesline
“COUNTDOWN” stretches across the top in bold red capitals. Two clotheslines hold 24 small numbered mittens in red and sage green, with one bigger mitten at the end and a smiling snowman waiting below.
Cozy for a mudroom or laundry space. Vary the mitten colors so the line looks hand-picked.
6. Paper Chain Countdown
“TEAR ONE OFF” is lettered in white, green and red across the middle of the board. Above it hangs a chalk-drawn paper chain in red and green loops, with one loop torn open at the bottom.
This design mimics the classic construction paper chain many families already make. Hang a real paper chain beside it and tear off one link each morning until Christmas.
7. Tree Day Squares
“DAYS” in red and “LEFT” in sage green sit at the top. The drawing below is a Christmas tree built from 24 small numbered squares, topped with a gold star.
This turns a plain countdown into a tree-shaped centerpiece. Draw the outline lightly first, then fit the squares inside.
8. Sleigh Bell Countdown
“JINGLE” is lettered in big red chalk capitals. Above it, a row of 12 small bells in gold, red and green, numbered 1 to 12, hangs from a red ribbon with a bow at each end.
Twelve bells makes this a sweet pick for counting down the last stretch before Christmas Eve. Keep the ribbon squiggly and loose so the bells look like they’re swinging.
Family Planners
9. Weekly Holiday Schedule
“THIS WEEK” is written across the top in white and red chalk. Below sits a weekly planner with seven empty rows labeled Mon through Sun, plus a small holly sprig in the corner.
This board earns its keep in a busy kitchen. Update it every Sunday night so the week ahead is easy to glance at.
10. Gift Wrapping Plan
“WRAP IT UP” is stacked in red and sage green chalk. Beside it sits a checklist with five empty check boxes, and below is a green striped present with a looping red bow.
Keeps wrapping sessions organized. List a name or gift in each box so nothing gets missed.
11. Cards to Send
“CARDS” is stacked over “TO” and “SEND” in white, red and sage green chalk. A checklist below holds six empty check boxes, with a tiny envelope marked with a red heart in the corner.
This one works well tucked near the mailing station with stamps and address labels. Checking off each box as cards go out makes the task feel less overwhelming.
12. Christmas Dinner Menu
“DINNER” is lettered in white chalk at the top. Below sit four empty lines labeled Main, Sides, Bread and Dessert in red and sage green, with a small candle at the bottom.
A lovely centerpiece near the dining table. Fill it in the night before so guests see the full spread.
13. Wish List Board
“WISH LIST” is written in red and sage green block letters with a small wrapped present on each side. Below sit four empty lines numbered 1 to 4.
A fun spot for kids to write or dictate their top wishes. Four lines keeps the list short and focused.
Kids’ Activity Calendars
14. Daily Christmas Fun
“TODAY” in white and “WE” in red sit above a grid of seven boxes, each holding a small doodle: a cookie, a candle, a book, a star, a sock, a tree and a bell.
A simple activity tracker for the week. Point to each picture at breakfast so kids know the plan.
15. Christmas Book Log
“BOOKS” in red, “WE” in sage green and “READ” in white sit across the top. Below, five empty book spines in red and green stand on a gold shelf beside a tiny reading lamp.
A cozy addition near a reading nook. Fill in titles as you go so the shelf fills up through the month.
16. Cookie Decorating Days
“COOKIE” in white and “DAYS” in red sit above a row of four gingerbread cookies, each decorated a little differently, with a blank line drawn under each one.
Pairs nicely with a baking day countdown. Use the blank lines to note which cookie each day will bring.
17. Snow Day Bingo
“SNOW” in red sits above a 3 by 3 bingo grid, with “DAY” in sage green beneath it. The squares hold a snowman, sled, mitten, mug, snowflake, boot, hat, scarf and star.
Turns a snowy afternoon into a game. Let kids cross off squares as they spot each thing outside.
Faith and Gratitude Boards
18. Advent Wreath Weeks
“ADVENT” is lettered in white capitals above a pine wreath with four candles, three purple and one pink in the third spot, each topped with a gold flame and labeled week 1 to week 4.
Great for families observing Advent together. Light a real candle each Sunday to match the board.
19. Prepare Him Room
“PREPARE” in white, “HIM” in red and “ROOM” in sage green sit under a small stable drawn in red chalk lines, with a tiny manger inside and a gold star glowing above.
A quiet, reverent design for a reading corner or nativity display. Keep the stable sketch simple.
20. Thankful Every Day
“THANKFUL” stretches across the top in white chalk letters, with a holly sprig in the top corner. Below sits a grid of seven empty boxes, each with a tiny drawn heart in red chalk.
This board gives the family a daily spot to jot one thing they’re grateful for. Fill it in together at dinner so gratitude becomes part of the evening routine.
21. Light of the World
“LIGHT” is lettered in white chalk, “OF THE” in red and “WORLD” in sage green. Above the words glows one large candle drawing with a gold flame and simple gold rays stretching outward.
This board makes a peaceful focal point for an entryway or mantel during the Advent season. Shade the rays lightly so the candle looks like it’s truly glowing against the black slate.
22. Peace on Earth
“PEACE” is written in red chalk, “ON” in sage green and “EARTH” in white. Above the words, a simple white dove carries an olive branch in its beak, flying under a single gold star.
This gentle design brings a calm, hopeful message to any room it hangs in. Keep the dove’s wings drawn in two soft curves so it stays simple and sweet.
23. Glory to God
“GLORY” in red, “TO” in white and “GOD” in sage green sit under a bright gold star with long rays shining down over a small stable sketched in red lines.
Pairs nicely with a nativity display. Draw the star first so it stays the clear focal point.
Simple Drawing-Led Boards
24. Cozy Cocoa
“DECEMBER” is lettered across the top in red block capitals. Below sits a big red mug with a white snowflake on it, filled with hot cocoa and topped with three marshmallows and curling white steam lines drifting upward.
This cheerful board feels right at home in the kitchen near the hot cocoa station. Add extra steam swirls for a cozier, more playful look.
25. Little Pine Tree
“JOY” is lettered in tall red chalk letters, with plenty of space around it. Above it stands a small green tree topped with a gold star and decorated with round red ornaments.
An easy one for beginners, with just one word and a small drawing. Space the ornaments evenly.
26. Sparkle Star
“SHINE” is written in bold white capitals under one large five-point star drawn in gold chalk, with short gold sparkle lines bursting around its edges.
A minimalist accent for a shelf or small nook. Keep the sparkle lines short and uneven so the star twinkles.
27. Gift With Bow
“GIVE” is lettered in white chalk capitals, just one word centered near the top. Below sits a single wrapped present with green stripes, topped with a big looping red bow.
This simple design works well tucked beside a gift wrapping station or front door display. Draw the bow loops slightly uneven for a more natural, hand-tied look.
