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Original poster

Would your children(advent calendar)

30 replies

PassingStranger · 05/12/2025 10:50

Would your children still be interested in advent calendars if there wasnt a chocolate or a present when you open a door?

OP posts:
blankcanvas3 · 05/12/2025 10:53

Definitely not

mummabubs · 05/12/2025 10:54

Mine have an advent calendar with pictures to open in the morning and then pockets (with a chocolate coin) in the afternoon after school. They are 8 and 4 and genuinely excited to see the picture they get in the morning 🤣

Dramatic · 05/12/2025 11:04

Yeah I think if the chocolate ones weren't a thing they probably would, but of course they've been used to the chocolate ones since they were tiny

BarnacleBeasley · 05/12/2025 11:05

I think yes, probably, except that older DC knows about the chocolate ones from his friends so I think he'd be disappointed. I said to him the other day that when we were little we just had pictures and how I thought that was more magical and he said 'I think it is more magical to have chocolate.'

SmartiesParty · 05/12/2025 11:06

Yes but my child is small and doesn’t know chocolate ones exist

Catpiece · 05/12/2025 11:07

Advent calendars used to be about counting down the days until Christmas by opening a tiny door to reveal a picture that was associated with the season. Now they’re just a grab for chocolate.

Pukkajones · 05/12/2025 11:07

Yes but they know the choc ones exist so… at least they aren’t getting those ones that have a tour part of a toy in Them like Lego…

Pukkajones · 05/12/2025 11:07

Catpiece · 05/12/2025 11:07

Advent calendars used to be about counting down the days until Christmas by opening a tiny door to reveal a picture that was associated with the season. Now they’re just a grab for chocolate.

Oh c’mon Scrooge McDuck! They’re both.

NuffSaidSam · 05/12/2025 11:08

They'd still be interested, but not as interested in one with chocolate. If they'd only ever known pictures they would love it.

When we were little we had an activity advent calendar with a different thing to do behind each door (an instruction, not a kit) and we used to love that.

Catpiece · 05/12/2025 11:10

Pukkajones · 05/12/2025 11:07

Oh c’mon Scrooge McDuck! They’re both.

Show quote history

I’m the least Scrooge-like person you could imagine. I’m just saying how things used to be.

brunettemic · 05/12/2025 11:10

Given they’ve always had chocolate
ones I’m going to assume no. Bit that’s a biased answer, I can remember having non chocolate ones and they were exciting.

Original poster
PassingStranger · 05/12/2025 11:13

Is the 24th still a double door nativity scene?

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 05/12/2025 11:18

Mine are! They each have an advent calender with a totoro model in for themselves, but they are just as enthusiastic to "help" open my picture advent calendar.

I think it's the novelty as much as anything.

BarnacleBeasley · 05/12/2025 11:32

Actually thinking about it this is the first year DS1 has had one and he is thrilled to the extent that he comes downstairs before getting dressed or even having a wee just to check where the relevant numbered door is located, then goes upstairs to report back to DP. However, he's also slightly disappointed because the chocolate only comes in a few different shapes so there are already repeats, and today's door just said 'a merry Christmas treat' or something on the inside of the door instead of a picture and he can't read so he thought that was boring.

So in conclusion, yes, he does still care about pictures.

Laserwho · 05/12/2025 11:34

When I was a child you could only get the picture ones. I outgrew it when I was around 9. My kids are late teens and still want one due to the chocolate🤣 if it was just a picture it would have died out years ago

KateTheShrew · 05/12/2025 12:34

My kids (11 and 8) always have the picture advent calendars. They've never had a chocolate one and they've never asked for one (of course they know they exist, as their friends have them). They get plenty of chocolate and treats elsewhere in their lives, and they just enjoy the countdown, and the fact that picture calendars are part of our family Christmas tradition.

Catpiece · 05/12/2025 12:48

KateTheShrew · 05/12/2025 12:34

My kids (11 and 8) always have the picture advent calendars. They've never had a chocolate one and they've never asked for one (of course they know they exist, as their friends have them). They get plenty of chocolate and treats elsewhere in their lives, and they just enjoy the countdown, and the fact that picture calendars are part of our family Christmas tradition.

Exactly

Mandylovescandy · 05/12/2025 12:56

We have a cardboard assembly one where they add a piece of the cut out to a scene and they like that (we keep it and use every year). We also have a refillable present one but I reuse the Christmas themed toys in that every year and despite the fact that it is the same toys they have got for years and years they still were very keen to do it this year (late primary age). Plus a chocolate one and a candle - it has got a bit much with so many to do! I think if something is a tradition then they will like it but trying to introduce just a picture after years of chocolate would probably fail

JingleSprouts · 05/12/2025 13:08

Mine are teens now. Late ex-FIL always got them a picture nativity calendar to share and when they were little we had to really monitor whose turn it was because they both wanted to open the door and see what was behind it.

I have a reusable one and they're still as interested in the activities I put in on some days (watch a Christmas film, bake something Christmassy) as they are in the chocolate. Appreciate that's still "more" than picture calendars.

We also have a Die Hard calendar where Hans Gruber is falling off Nakatomi Plaza, and you move him closer to the ground each day. They like that, too.

I've seen some beautiful picture calendars that are probably aimed at adults and I think my teens would also enjoy opening the doors on one of those.

They also both still enthusiastically help decorate the tree every year.

It's about the countdown to Christmas and feeling festive. I think my two genuinely enjoy giving as well. Not going to claim they like giving as much as receiving. I'm not that naive 😂 but they get into the spirit of things.

I do think that if these things are part of your family tradition then you never really grow out of them.

Pricelessadvice · 05/12/2025 13:09

I didn’t have chocolate calendars as a kid as I didn’t really eat chocolate. I loved opening the door every day to reveal a picture.

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 05/12/2025 13:10

DS is 13 and has one with nativity figures that set up in a stable to form a nativity scene and he likes it.
He does also have the velvetiser one though

JingleSprouts · 05/12/2025 13:10

Mandylovescandy · 05/12/2025 12:56

We have a cardboard assembly one where they add a piece of the cut out to a scene and they like that (we keep it and use every year). We also have a refillable present one but I reuse the Christmas themed toys in that every year and despite the fact that it is the same toys they have got for years and years they still were very keen to do it this year (late primary age). Plus a chocolate one and a candle - it has got a bit much with so many to do! I think if something is a tradition then they will like it but trying to introduce just a picture after years of chocolate would probably fail

I love the sound of a calendar to assemble! Think I will look into it for next year.

Peridoteage · 05/12/2025 13:12

A little bit, they might like something like a puzzle piece behind each door.d

Definitely not a religious element though, we aren't Christian and don't really celebrate those bits of Christmas.

cornbunting · 05/12/2025 13:13

My 9yo is more interested in opening the door than finding a chocolate, and not very interested even then. By contrast my 11yo is very motivated by chocolate.

This year we have got the Taskmaster advent calendar to open as a family, and so far it's a huge hit: much more engaging for both kids, fun for DH and I too, no pointless chocolate consumption. Highly recommend!

starrynight009 · 05/12/2025 13:14

My daughter has both, a chocolate one and a picture one. She gets more excited about the picture one. The chocolate ones tend to have very rubbish pictures.