Small gifts to fit inside Wooden Advent calendar - ideas needed please!

[everydayaschoolday]

Last Christmas I invested in a lovely wooden advent calendar that can be brought out every year, rather hoping it'll become a beloved tradition that my children will grow-up with. I filled each drawer with a 'penny sweet' or Quality Street-type chocolate.

This year I was thinking of putting a small gift item in - like a small santa-face badge etc. But where do I find such tat lovely christmas items that my 4 year old would get genuinely excited about?! Don't get me wrong, I can find the tat, I just can't find small enough tat to get in the little drawer.

I have noted on MN last year to write an activity to do and put it in the drawer, and I think I'll do that for weekend days when I'm not working and we can bake cookies or something. All ideas really appreciated.

Fab thread! Am in minor panic mode now as I've left it all to last minute. Katymac brilliant ideas, think I'll do a combo of these plus the mini chocs and stickers/tatoos I did last year for DD & DS. Thanx everyone :D

I see some christmas threads active, so feel justified in posting this (before Easter ! Squinkies 16pk on half price at ToysRUs today, down from £10 to £5 - perfect size for advent calendar drawers.

Glad I found this thread!

I have been making eggbox advent calendars for DD and her godsisters for about 10 years, so proper tradition though not as flexible as Valiumqueen. I have been warned I am not allowed to stop, even if she is 11. Godsisters are 11 and 6, so need lots of ideas. I have used many of these suggestions in the past for younger ones (though not the activities, some of which would be really good), but have thought of a few new ones for older ones this year(aimed at girls, since that's what I've got - I agree that boys aren't as easy to get for):

• mini lippies (buy Avon samples on Ebay, they're pretty cheap)
• hairbands in school colours (DD goes through these like anything and is resigned happy with practical stuff)
• smelly highlighters probably will still go down well
• decorated stationery clips
• earrings are good
• hair braids

Yes, they do like the sweets, but I got fed up of DD having a sugar rush before school. Anyway, she also likes the variety and knows I'll bung in chocs at least once a week. GSs don't like choc so I have to find them something else anyway, the bought ones never work for them. I've managed never to spend more than c£4 per calendar and often much less. Mind you, leftovers from party bag fodder have been a strong standby

I know it's an old thread but the raffle ticket idea has just solved my advent calender problem. Fantastic, I'm off to raid poundland.

Great thread! KatieMac your ideas are just fantastic - thanks so much for sharing them

Bumping

I have found this thread in my research for advent calendars. I am looking to get some nice wooden calendars this year (to make up for the fact our elf will not be visiting this year ) and am loving the ideas. I am just so surprised at the cost of some of the calendars! If anyone has some good recommendations, I am all ears.

First year I've got a little wooden advent calendar to fill, and so excited :) think its a lovely little thing!

I'm going to pop into poundland and do silly bits like
a face mask
nail varnish
stickers
tesco's mini sweet bags of mashmallows and a hot choc sachet.
and.. did a bit of searching tonight and typed in 'cute mini' on ebay and found some tat, but stuff to fill for cheap, some awful things too , i just ordered Floating Flamingo Drink Holder and Mini Backpack coin purse , Mouse shape sharpener

They also do frozen and dora purses- might be helpful to some mini frozen fans out there..

Have used lots of little print outs from your list KatieMac, Thank you!

Veryhappymummy - so where will your elf be spending Christmas? Why is he not visiting?

Marking my place. First year with a wooden calendar, I'm thinking I need to dig it out now and put one of the drawers in my handbag for shopping trips to check the size!

Guitargirl - we have had an elf visit for the last 2 years and my DS5 and DS7 absolutely love it. However, they go into school and tell their friends all about what the elf has been up to and unfortunately some friends don't believe and have said some horrible things. I can't take the chance that something is said to them this year that will shatter their belief. It's such a shame that they will miss out, but that is why I want to get them wooden advent calendars as a little sorry from our elf that he can't make it this year.

Happymummy- ah, that is a shame. I have children the same age and this will be the fourth year our elf has visited. My younger one quite happily chats to his mates about the elf and they all seem to think it's hilarious. My eldest talks to her friends who come to our house over Christmas about the elf but they tend to be her closer friends. I asked her once when she was in year one if she ever mentioned the elf at school and she gave me a look as though to say, 'you must be joking'.

So many great ideas - thanks everyone!

This is the best idea yet. Love the tickets and the basket of goodies idea, thanks!!!!! So hard to fit anything in those tiny little holes.