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Original poster

Refillable advent calendars - do you fill them at the beginning of the month or

16 replies

ISpidersmanYouMeanPirate · 13/10/2015 16:00

each evening to be opened the next day?

I think they look good but too easy to open the box/look in the pouch for each day if I filled them all up at the beginning... (DC are 4 years and 17 months!)

I would buy chocolate ones but DS1 doesn't like chocolate Confused

OP posts:
MrsPear · 13/10/2015 16:01

I fill mine at the beginning but they are kept on the top of the bookshelf! Mine are 3 and 6 this month

BiddyPop · 13/10/2015 16:33

Ours hangs in the kitchen - I only fill the pockets each night for the following morning.

I learned my lesson when DD was 4 - I was only filling the pockets daily already, but had the supplies in my bedroom where I thought she didn't know about them, out of sight but low down. I was late home one day, and DH had ignored the quiet. I had 1 choc for the following morning but none for the 8 days left in the Calendar after that! I'd bought nets of choc figures in Aldi in mid-November, which is not near us. M&S were all sold out at that point. And I couldn't find any other small figures anywhere. So I had to buy chocolate Nutcracker figures in the posh deli near work for the rest of the days, which were twice the size of the original chocs and spent more on those 8 days than I had on the entire month prepping in advance (and there were a good few spares in my original plans!).

attheendoftheday · 13/10/2015 20:33

I fill for the whole of advent, I'm too worried I might forget a day if I didn't. Our calendar is a string of little buckets, and is high up to prevent present theft. I wrap little presents in tissue paper (different colour for each dc) and I think it looks lovely.

Sleepyfergus · 13/10/2015 20:38

We have a wooden advent house with a drawer for each day. I buy the little choc santas etc from poundstretchers or similar. I only put in the night before as I fear waking up to find the kids have eaten 24 days worth of choc! We explain it by saying the the elves only fill up the drawer the night before if the kids have been good. Sometimes the 'elves' forget so we have the explain they've been held up and fill it when they're not looking. Sx are 6 and 3.

Original poster
ISpidersmanYouMeanPirate · 13/10/2015 21:14

Love the idea of elves forgetting!

Was wondering if I should get one each or to share. I loved opening mine and wouldn't have liked to share but DB wouldn't have cared and I suppose it's what you get used to

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/10/2015 22:11

We have a little tree with hooks and the tiny decorations are in a little 'cupboard' (there are 24 behind the painted doors.

I put some chocolate coins in each, and I've always put the whole months worth in.
I put an extra £1 coin each (DS and DD) on the Saturday.

I might buy DD a Beauty Advent and put a £1 coin in each door for DS.
They're getting a bit old for the Advent Calender now Xmas Sad

motherofallhangovers · 13/10/2015 23:22

The "Christmas Elves" fill them with Hershey's kisses, chocolate raisins or coins each night.

motherofallhangovers · 13/10/2015 23:23

Sometimes I forget the Christmas Elves haven't been yet and we have to check again later in the day to see if they've been.

CleanHankie · 14/10/2015 22:43

The ones in this household get filled up at the beginning of the month. We alternate small gifts with chocolate, both of which get wrapped up.

GothicRainbow · 14/10/2015 22:47

We have a wooden house with drawers. I'm planning on filling it with a mix of small toys, mini marshmallows etc as my DS can't have chocolate or soya based chocolate. I'll do this at the beginning of the month as I would def forget to do it each night!

Sleepyfergus · 14/10/2015 23:45

Was in Aldi today and they have perfect little foil wrapped Santa/snowman chocs, perfect size for advent pockets/drawers/bags. Much cheapness too.

GruffalosGirl · 15/10/2015 23:13

If we filled for the month they wouldn't last past day three! Plus, I would miss the joy of drifting off to sleep then suddenly jolting awake in fear as I realise I haven't topped up the chocolates and moved the bloody elves to a new hiding space - I'm a nervous wreck by the 23rd!

starlight2007 · 16/10/2015 22:08

I do mine at the beginning of the month..I fill mine wilkos usually do buy 1 get one free on mini santa type things..

AlpacaPicnic · 17/10/2015 18:21

I fill them up at the beginning of the month.

Then again, they are only for DH and me so if we cheat, we only cheat ourselves!

BiddyPop · 23/10/2015 09:33

I've caved this year.

I will get chocs for the daily refillable calendar - but I also bought a Lego City one.

I'll still only put the chocs in every night (apart from DD, who is a lot better but could be tempted, there are now a few buddies in regularly and a couple of those are of the nosey variety so would raid it too - the calendar is kept in the kitchen hanging from the breakfast bar).

HuevosRancheros · 23/10/2015 11:12

Ours is a naff fabric Christmas tree with little pockets - you can just fit two chocolates in a pocket.
At the end of November I buy a box of celebrations and a box of heroes. The kids (now 5 & 7, but been doing this for at least 3 years) then go through the boxes, pairing up the chocolate. They then fill it themselves, taking it in turns to fill a pocket - same type of chocolate each day, so no squabbling.
They are allowed a few of the remainders then, the rest are for me and DH to scoff during December Grin
The kids have never eaten anything other than that day's chocolate Shock
I guess because they know they wouldn't get any the next day :)

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