Advent calendars

I've got a picture one from the Alzheimer's Society and also got the children a card Christmas tree that stands up on it's own.

The residents of the streets when DD1 lives have advent windows. The residents are allocated a number, decorate their window and then light it on the allotted day and every day till Christmas. Dd lives in terror of being given number 24!

The ladies of both churches in our village organise advent windows. One house decorates their window however they like and anyone can come at 6pm for a little peace and quiet. A story is read, some favourite advent songs are sung, and a prayer and/or a few moments silence are usually involved.

Originally no food or drink was supposed to be offered but some people do now serve mulled wine and biscuits.

This is becoming quite common now here in Germany. Town Halls have also started it - many of them seem to have 24windows! One more window is lit up each day.

As Carol singing is not a "thing' here, it still seems that people look for a reason to go out on the street of an evening in the run-up to Christmas.

I have done some windows myself in the past but won't be this year as I am away for most of December.

I bought my advent calendar from a charity this year. A GN poster said about it. You pay a bit more for it and then everyday you get to see which charity has had a donaton from you on that day.

Bought GS and son ones from Battersea Dogs Home. So cute.

thats a good idea. i hate chocolate advent calenders again too much sweet stuff. gc like my advent calendar its got pictures in it....

I had an M&S advent calendar in 2016 which was in the shape of a Christmas tree. This year my daughter has taken the carcass and refilled the boxes for me! Day 1 was a miniature bottle of handmade flavoured gin! Day 2 a sample tube of handcream. Shall really look forward to seeing the surprises she has for me in the other boxes.

Yes, mine is an old fashioned one with pictures - religious pictures! ( As I said upthread). No chocolate, no cosmetics, etc, just pictures, and pictures related to the Nativity - the coming of Jesus.

I’m doing the reverse advent calendar too in conjunction with the church. I think ours will be donated after Christmas to get those who need it through the new year.

I love the old fashioned ones with pictures, Witzend.

I've got a lovely one of an old fashioned toy shop.

Two baubles was the first picture!

My daughter buys me a paper advent calendar every year. This year she bought it from the Good Gifts catologue. When I opened the first day it said "Milk for an African Orphan" on the reverse. I am delighted with it.

I got Mum one from Baileys. She tried to open the top so she could get to one of the 3 x miniature bottles ?

Yes, I got one the other day too Witzend and shall enjoy opening each door up too and including Christmas Eve.

Does anybody else like the old fashioned ones, with just little pictures? I treated myself to one the other day - a jolly Raymond Briggs Father Christmas.

Our church is doing this for the 4 Sunday’s in Advent. ( we do it all year too but are pressing hard for extra people to contribute in Dec) I was unable to be on church this morning so dropped off some items in the week, we put boxes in church for people to drop off any time

Beautiful advent chelseababy

I was tired of chocolate Advent calendars so today I opened the first door on my Paperchase version - a new item of stationary every day in December. Today was a very cute AND useful little notebook.

Should have beeen ???

I gave two of our GS's their Thorntons Chocolate Advent Calendars this morning (ages 10 & 11), I had attached a "Santa's Magic Key" to each of them. The 11 year old looked at the key and gave me a very odd look [txhconfused]

I opened the first window today on the postcode lottery advent calendar they sent. It has a photo of Cupid, a kitten re-homed by Battersea, who are one of the charities the lottery supports. They will show a new one day day I expect. I liked the reverse idea giving to the food bank too.

I’ve got the Amazon beauty advent calendar £40 with £220 of goodies inside - exciting!!
I’m also going to put one tin / bag of rice / sugar by per day and give to local food bank. Thank you for making me think ?

I have an online advent calendar from Jacquie Lawson. (Who does the most beautiful E-cards) It's great fun - something different every day and also it includes games/activities to do at any time. My 12 year old DGS loves it too - I've sent him one every year since he was about five. IMO this is much better than chocolates or the cardboard ones full of unnecessary crap stuff that I don't need. (It costs £3.70 - & is a bit cheaper if you order three or more. I have no connection with the company - I'm just a happy customer.)

I just opened the first on the beauty advent my son sent me some very posh eye cream I thought I’d try it on one eye see if I can spot the difference ?

I missed out on the M & S one this year, so I snapped up a Yankee candle one on offer yesterday (£7.50). At least we’ll be smelling Christmassy. I’ve a Milky Bar one as well.

I do the reverse thing too, but our local food bank has asked for the donations to be given in every week or so, as they can get too much all at once at Christmas.

Whoops - that hurried off too quickly! I was asking Chelseababy!

I like your advent calendar chelseababy. Did you make it?
I've got a religious one given to me by my SiL, which is beautiful. First door opened reveals an angel.
Enjoy the treats from yours, annsixty. It's a wonderful thing you and your ex DiL is doing.

That’s beautiful- did you make it?