Holiday Countdown: Advent Calendars With a Twist!

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It’s almost Christmastime! After you hang your lights and ornaments on your tree, you’ll need to think of what to do for your advent calendar. I’ve rounded up some unique advent calendars with a little something for everyone. Each day leading to Christmas, treat yourself or someone else to a little something. Who says we only get to open presents on December 25th!? 

Here are some pre-made lists/products:

Beauty – Everything from perfume to lipstick. A little treat just for you! 

Adult Beverages -There are tons out there with everything from wine to tequila.

Candles – Keep a lookout for Yankee Candle who makes a cute calendar with tea lights. 

Food – You can find tasty treat filled calendars at Cost Plus World Market, Harry and David and maybe even your local grocery store. Think nuts, chips and cookies. 

Tea – If you are a tea drinker, this one is perfect for you!

Lego – There are calendars for Friends, Star Wars and the City collection! Take your pick!

Little People – This little people calendar is SO CUTE! They have special holiday characters… can someone please get this one for me?

Hotwheels – For all your hotwheels fans in the house, this one would be a great way to switch it up and keep them excited about what car they would get next!

Melissa & Doug – This is a great hands on calendar that you can use for years to come.

Crayola – This crayola one is so fun! There is drawing for your kiddos that will keep them busy for a while.

Kid crafts – This is a cute felt one that your kiddos will love.

Other ideas that you can do yourself:

Books – Reading is pretty big in our house so this one is a favorite. Wrap each book of your choice in pretty paper or just put them in a huge box and randomly pick one each day. This doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Look for gently used, deals or boxed book sets. It’ll make for a special bedtime reading on those December nights. Or even use ones that you already have!

Give back – Have your children pick one toy, book or item of clothing each day that they don’t play with anymore and would like to donate.

Acts of kindnessHere’s a tutorial for a beautiful calendar with 25 acts of kindness. 

Fun in the kitchen – Try a new recipe each day. This can take a bit of planning but doesn’t have to be extravagant. It can be as simple as a new cookie recipe or fun mix-in for your pancakes. 

 

What’s your families holiday countdown tradition? We will do something different each year as the kiddos grow, but I’m always up for new ideas. Do you find that the countdown to Christmas kind of fizzes out as your children grow? 

Bonus tip – If you want to stick with the chocolate countdown calendars then run over to Trader Joes. They have a great selection with chocolates you’ll all be fighting over. 

 

 

6 COMMENTS

  1. Lori yes they see great! Just two days ago I saw a great “acts of kindness” one for kids at Trader Joe’s. It’s a treat for kids but they also are doing something for others at the same time! I love how acts of kindness are being incorporated more into daily life for children.

  2. We love our advent calendar. We mix it up with stuff to do, make Christmas cookies, make a Lego ornament, give someone a compliment; as well as things like hot wheels, Lego minifigures, etc. It’s something, my now 12 year, old had enjoyed since he was little. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jenna I love your ideas! A little mix of everything sounds great and I think that’s the way we’ll be going. How fun that your son still enjoys it. My children are toddlers now so I can’t help but wonder at what age they’ll kind of be “too cool” for it or just want money instead (does that even happen?). Have fun putting your advent calender together!

    • Awesome Jenna! It would be fun to post what you get on social media. We love the Friends Legos! I bet they’ll love it plus it adds to the collection!

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