Advent Calendars

The thing is...

I hated them when I was little, I couldn't see the point. I was supposed to get excited by a picture of a cracker or a snowball. Or a donkey. Excitement had to be forced so as not to upset my mother. As soon as I had my own children, it was chocolate all the way! By the time I had DS, I was able to buy him a Lego calendar, although at some point MiL took over buying it, as his xmas present.

I've seen an advent poster by anorakmagazine.com. It is an A2 size poster that you colour in bit by bit until Christmas eve. Costs £5. My DD got four advent calendars, traditional ones without chocolate for her children. Have a look online, there surely must be some out there.

We bought the Playmobil advent calendar a few years ago. The children love it. It slowly builds into a lovely Christmas scene. A little pricey to start with at around £20 but it comes out year after year.

My DD has found a permanent wooden one, and we have a collection of tiny Christmas tree decorations, so we thought next year we could put a decoration in each box and then put them on the tree. But now I realise that means getting a tree on December 1st - that's not going to work is it??? Rats! Stillhere - I do understand, but then just call the choccy ones Christmas Calendars??? (I have bought one Frozen one, one Peppa Pig and one Thomas the Tank Engine - my mother will be spinning in her grave).

Thank you hildajenniJ.

I think the traditional ones are starting to come back in the shops. Perhaps try smaller local card shops. We always used to have the picture ones only. I'm pretty sure the kids didn't fake the pleasure!

I still buy one. Usually end up, after the first few days, opening the lot on Xmas Eve.

For anyone in reach of Edinburgh, there's a card/gift/stationery shop - Everyone's Designs - on Bruntsfield Place which usually has traditional German or Austrian Advent calendars. Lots of glitter, nativities and Christmas elves etc (not both at once, usually). Haven't been in there yet this year though.

oooo EllenT - we are planning a visit to the German market in Birmingham - what a good idea.

I buy more like traditional advent calendars from an independent card shop. If my brain was working I could remember the artist but they are lovely. The main picture isn't particularly religious but the windows are all advent themed.

My late mum gave advent calendars to the GGCs many years ago. 18 year-old shared then handed it over to the little ones. It's a wooden Christmas tree on a base containing drawers. Advent themed ornaments are taken out daily and hung on 25 hooks on the tree. A real family tradition now.
I think the idea is German.

I have a permanent wooden one that we've had since our children were young. I still bring it out every year.
I agree, look at the smaller shops. Our local independent newsagents has some with a nativity scene on.

We have felt ones with pockets on the front for the dgc. Can put anything you want in them from nativity figurines to chocolate. I also buy an advent candle every year for myself!!

We have an advent decanter filled with alcohol of choice e.g. cherry brandy. Drink a nip a day as the month goes by! Think they are Danish and very pretty.

Like this one? www.world-of-bottles.co.uk/500ml-advent-calendar-bottle-Advento-2711.html

I have just ordered one - plus some other bottles with Christmassy printing on them.

There is a shop in York selling Real Ale advent calendars. Not cheap but I know DH would love to have one.

Oh I saw one advertised with a bottle of beer a day. I wanted to get it for DS but DD said I would give him a beer belly or turn him into an alcoholic! Suppose I'd better not.

Perhaps I will.

A Real Ale advent Calendar brilliant my DH would find that amusing. I think we had this conversation last year about chocolate or not. GS likes the JL gingerbread biscuit one. DH usually buys me a Lindt one which I love- didn't have one at all as a child so now I'm spoilt.

I volunteer in a Cards for Good Causes shop - there are 400 in the UK and there are loads of advent calendars for sale there. Some calendars have a religious theme but many designs are just Christmas themed. No chocolate or sweets though!

Last year I bought an advent calendar which was called "Snowy Village" for my grown up DD who is a planning officer in London. On the cardboard base fir tree models were attached and everyday there was a small package to open - which became a building, a house, a pub, a shop etc. The planning team took it in turns to make the buildings and comments about parking and other planning issues were made on FB!

Sounds good chocolatepudding ( as does your name)
Parents will buy Advent Calendars with nativity scenes if they are religious minded, or not, if they are of other faiths or no faith at all.There are plenty of all sorts around, for you to choose.
Our DC have a wooden Christmas tree with numbered openings to place sweets or very tiny gifts in.

If anyone else wants one of those Snowy Village advent calendars, I have just ordered one from www.turnerscards.co.uk/

A couple of years ago I made advent calendar bunting with little pockets in the flags to put a sweet or whatever in. But the DGC like the chocolate ones best! My DDs boyfriend bought her a nail varnish one last year and I see you can buy Lancôme and other cosmetic ones - love someone to buy me one of those! ( very pricey)

One of the photos of the snowy village advent calendar.

Wow, how clever, I want one.

I look forward to my daily bit of chocolate. It's a treat I don't usually have.