non sweet related advent calendar

[Tortington]

dh and i want advent calendars - we are forging a new adult life without young children to consider...that's another thread

However we still have 18 you ds at home and sweet related things will get eaten,

I an low carbing - as is dh (occasionally) so sweets dont work on that level either

So i would dearly like to buy us both an advent calendar with llittle cracker esq type gifts - any ideas?

i could always beat 18 yo ds into not eating sweets but i might have to stand on the table to do so.

Don't know of any ready-filled ones (other than Playmobil or Lego, which I don't think you would be looking for! ). You can buy fabric ones, with pockets, or wooden ones with drawers though. Maybe you could buy two of these, then you could choose small gifts to go in dh's and he could buy small gifts to go in yours............

Probably not what you had in mind, but we have one of those wooden ones from John Lewis with a drawer for each day. We put in sweets for the kids but also an uplifting thought/ part of the Christmas story, and it's a nice start to the day for us all. Equally you could put in your own things - could have a different theme each year. Do you like playing games together? Jenga blocks, Scrabble/ Rummikub tiles...?

Yes, i have seen those thank you, it just seems like i'm doing a lot of work

thank you anyway

It could get quite expensive, buying 24 presents each for your calendars. You could buy less bits and put an individual square of high cocoa solids chocolate in, say, every other pocket. Wrap each choc square in foil to keep it fresh.

Good for heart, stress levels, possible aphrodisiac, etc. Practically food rather than a sweet. I would cut back on something else to have it.

what about one with pockets. then rather than you both buy one, you take 12 days each and write cards with things on and pop them into little envelopes. you can write things like "foot massage when you get home tonight" or he could do one "i'll cook dinner tonight". if you are on Pinterest check out christmas and you'll see a number of boards have this idea on. i'll try and find the link and post later if you like?

,ovely ideas much appreciated, just didn't want to make that much effort tbh!

Just buy a Playmobil one then! And have fun with the cute little figures .

Green & Blacks 85% choc has only got around 20-22g carbs per 100g - you could break one up and have a teeny tiny little bit every day...?

If your crafty you could always make one. There's loads of tutorials on the net. Here's some www.tipjunkie.com/best-advent-calendar/

Gather together as many free samples as you can and put them in the Advent Calendar in place of sweeties. Try to find the most fabulous ones you can.

I am talking about perfume, aftershave, serums etc.

such crafty types, thank you so much for your suggestions. I really just wanted to buy something, if nothing exists, i truly cannot be bothered, However your ideas and input are truly appreciated

Oh god, Milo, that website's amazing!

OP, it looks like any kind of calender is going to take time and there doesn't seem to be any off the peg, gifts included ones. I'd go for the teeny-tiny choccies myself. It's Christmas after all and you'll probably be burning extra calories what with all that tree-decorating, turkey carving, etc.

I believe JohnLewis are selling one with 24 pieces in.

When you put them together it becomes the moon on a stick.

full moon i hope

Selfridges do one. It's about £70 though.