Whiteboard and chalkboard calendars are having a moment: on Pinterest, searches for “november whiteboard calendar” grew by 9,500% in a month, and December is always the most decorated month of the year. Whether you keep a family command center in the kitchen, a planner wall in your home office or a classroom board, a festive December layout makes the busiest month feel a lot more fun.
Below you’ll find easy December whiteboard calendar ideas, doodles you can copy even if you “can’t draw”, chalkboard and glass board tips, and a free printable December 2026 calendar for anyone who prefers paper (or wants a template to copy onto the board).
Free Printable December 2026 Calendar
The free PDF (US Letter) has three festive pages:
- December 2026 monthly calendar starting on Sunday, with Winter Solstice (Dec 21), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the start of Kwanzaa (Dec 26) and New Year’s Eve marked, plus space for notes.
- Holiday planner with checklists for events & parties, gifts to buy, cards to send and holiday baking.
- 25 Days of December: one cozy activity a day until Christmas, from writing a letter to Santa to a family game night.
What You Need for a Festive Whiteboard Calendar
- Dry-erase markers in red, green, gold or brown, plus black for numbers. Fine-tip markers make doodles much easier.
- Liquid chalk markers for chalkboards and glass boards: brighter colors that don’t smudge as easily.
- Thin washi tape or whiteboard grid tape to make a permanent grid, so you only redraw the doodles each month.
- Magnets and sticky notes for events that might move.
- A ruler and a damp cloth for clean lines and quick fixes.
December Whiteboard Calendar Ideas
1. Holly and Candy Cane Border
Draw a simple border of holly leaves and red berries along the top, and add a candy cane in each corner. Leaves are just pointy ovals with a center line, so this works even for beginners.
2. String Lights Header
Draw a wavy line across the top, then add little bulbs in alternating colors. It’s the fastest way to make the whole board look festive, and it frames the month title beautifully.
3. Christmas Tree Countdown
Draw a big tree on the side of the board with 24 small circles as ornaments. Color one in each day: kids love it, and it doubles as an advent calendar.
4. Snowflake Weekends
Add a tiny snowflake (three crossed lines with little V’s at the ends) in every Saturday and Sunday box. It’s a subtle detail that makes the grid easy to read.
5. Color-Coded Family Plans
Give each family member a festive color: red, green, gold, blue. Write their events in their color so everyone can see their plans at a glance during the busiest month of the year.
6. Chalkboard Wreath Title
On a chalkboard, write “December” in your best script and draw a simple wreath around it: one circle of pine needles (little V shapes) with a red bow at the bottom.
7. Gingerbread Corner
A gingerbread man in the corner is easy: a circle head, a body shaped like a star with rounded points, two dot eyes and wavy “icing” lines on the arms and legs.
8. Ornament Date Bubbles
Draw special days (parties, Christmas Eve, the last school day) inside little ornament shapes instead of plain boxes, so the important dates pop.
9. Hot Cocoa Weekend Plan
Doodle a mug of cocoa in the notes area and list cozy weekend plans next to it: lights tour, cookie baking, movie night.
10. Gift Checklist Column
Keep a narrow column on the side with a little present doodle and checkboxes for gifts to buy or wrap. Erasing a checkbox has never felt so good.
11. Minimal Pine Sprigs
For a clean, modern glass board, skip the busy doodles: one tiny pine sprig in two corners, a few red berries and thin lettering look elegant and calm.
12. Gold Star Highlights
Use a gold or yellow marker to add small stars next to the days that matter most. Simple, festive and easy to update.
13. Winter Quote Banner
Write a short quote under the month name, like “Let it snow”, “Merry & bright” or “Tis the season”, inside a simple ribbon banner.
14. Snowy Bottom Edge
Draw a bumpy “snow” line along the bottom of the board and add a tiny snowman or a few pine trees peeking out.
15. Countdown to the New Year
Finish the month with a little confetti burst and “Hello 2027” on December 31st. It’s a fun bridge to January’s layout.
Tips for Lettering Like a Pro
- Fake calligraphy: write the word in cursive, then thicken every downstroke with a second line and fill it in.
- Copy a font: pick a style from our 20 free Christmas fonts and copy the letter shapes for the month title.
- Pencil first on paper: sketch the layout on the printable calendar before drawing on the board.
- Clean edges: wrap a cotton swab in a damp cloth to fix small mistakes without erasing whole boxes.
Key Dates in December 2026
- December 1, 2026 falls on a Tuesday.
- Winter Solstice: Monday, December 21 (the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere).
- Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24. Christmas Day: Friday, December 25.
- Kwanzaa begins: Saturday, December 26.
- New Year’s Eve: Thursday, December 31.
More Free Holiday Printables
- Free printable Christmas wishlist 2026 + Dear Santa letter
- 20 free Christmas fonts (free for commercial use)
- Free holiday phone wallpapers
FAQ
How do I decorate a whiteboard calendar for December?
Start with a festive title, add one border (holly, string lights or snowflakes), then use two or three colors for events. Keep doodles in the corners and margins so the grid stays readable.
What markers work best on a chalkboard calendar?
Liquid chalk markers give bright, crisp lines and don’t create dust. Test them in a corner first: on some porous boards they can leave a faint ghost mark.
Is the December 2026 calendar printable free?
Yes, it’s free for personal and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need for your family, office or students.
Final Thoughts
A festive December calendar keeps the whole family organized during the busiest month, and it’s a little bit of holiday cheer you see every single day. Grab the free printable, pick two or three doodle ideas and have fun with it. Save this post to Pinterest so you can find these ideas again next year! 🎄