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Christmas

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Original poster

Advent calendars :)

27 replies

Smellybears · 21/10/2018 18:45

I thought I’d start a thread for advent calendars!
Homemade ones, shop bought ones, chocolate ones, character ones, crazy ones, weird ones, let’s get posting! 🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻

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SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 21/10/2018 18:50

I usually get myself the John Lewis gingerbread biscuit one. It isn’t on the website yet, so I am fretting a bit.

Someaddedsugar · 21/10/2018 18:56

I’ve bought DP the Fererro Rocher (sp?) one this year - it looks lovely. Thinking of getting DS (will be 15 months) the Happyland one although he does have a wooden train one but I’m struggling to think of things small enough to fill it with!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/10/2018 19:05

I have bought the DC chocolate ines - Lindt for DD, Malteasers for DS.

I'm doing a MYOBAC (Make Your Own Beauty Advent Calender) for DD , I had some clear bags leftover , bought ribbon and tissue .
Started buying things when I saw them , I have maybe 5 more to get.

She'll have a Lush Snow Fairy something on the 24th and I got a Skyn Iceland set for the 1st . (They have their CEH on the 1st now)

I'll give DS some cash so he doesn't feel hard done by Xmas Grin. He's not into his 'products' , but I'll treat him to some nice new showergel and he can have a bathbomb on the 24th too.

Stompythedinosaur · 21/10/2018 19:08

I really love advent calendar, and our advent traditions are now totally out of control. I consider trying to reel things back in, but suspect the dc would not forgive me.

We have:

  1. A advent calendar of little buckets filled with small items I have collected over the year. It is mainly tiny things (often items left over from party bags) with a few bigger thing that I think will be enjoyed more before Xmas (like an Xmas DVD or book). Dog and cat biscuits are also included for pets.
  2. We have a cardboard snowy tree house scene that gets an extra something added each day.
  3. And a tiny tree that gets an extra dec on each day.
  4. And there is a toy tomten which hides around the house each night and has a choc for each dc with it if they find it.
  5. And there is an elf that gets up to hijinks.
  6. And the kids get letters from an elf at the north pole to read each morning.
  7. And I normally get a toy advent calendar like Lego or playmobil too (might do hatchimals or lol this year).

I know it is totally excessive (and I would merrily scrap the elf, but the dc really wanted one). But we like it and it isn't hurting anyone. It sort if developed over time.

missyB1 · 21/10/2018 19:12

I found a musical one online. You open the door, there’s a picture and a button, press each day and get a Christmassy tune (I think there are 12 tunes).

Original poster
Smellybears · 21/10/2018 19:16

@Stompythedinosaur I love that you get the cat and dog involved!!

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Toomanycats99 · 21/10/2018 19:30

Dd (7) is having an LOL one made from a bundle I bought on eBay last month. Cost £23 and had several little sisters and pets so hopefully less 'fillers' than a bought one and cheaper.

For older dd (11) I will probably make an earring and nail varnish one. She's a tricky age - too old for toy ones and too young for make up ones.

I pondered Harry Potter one but decided it was too pricey.

MeltingWax · 21/10/2018 19:39

I also have an advent calendar obsession/addiction.

We had a family bereavement at this time of year a couple of years ago so I treated my parents to nice advent calendars to cheer them up a bit. I have bought my Dad a whisky one over the last few years. Last year I bought my Mum the Liberty one and Charlotte Tilbury's the year before.

DS has asked for Smiggle for the last 3 years after losing interest in Lego ones. Two years ago I did a YoKai one for DD and last year a Pusheen one. I put each day's thing into advent bags bought from Ikea. She is 11 and like a pp am also struggling for ideas for her this year. She has started showing an interest in make-up but still a bit young. She had a Frozen make-up one about 4 years ago. I might go for the Harry Potter one.

Toomanycats99 · 21/10/2018 19:43

@MeltingWax

Ikea have got the cutest little advent cardboard boxes this year - woodland creatures.

MeltingWax · 21/10/2018 19:47

Oooo toomanycats - I might go and check it out. Any excuse to pick through Ikea's Christmas stuff. The DCs are at a workshop tomorrow at RIBA, I have the week off and I am planning on starting my Christmas thinking! Xmas Grin

CherryPavlova · 21/10/2018 19:49

Since my eldest two have their own homes now, I’m thinking of making a calendar with each day having a bauble or tree ornament- maybe in pretty little boxes or drawers.

MeltingWax · 21/10/2018 19:53

And for the love of God, I really shouldn't have been alerted to the existence of cat advent calendars Xmas Blush. It's our cat's first Christmas with us this year...

Original poster
Smellybears · 21/10/2018 19:53

@CherryPavlova that’s so thoughtful!

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellybears · 21/10/2018 19:54

We get our dog an advent calendar every year, he always gets plenty of presents on Christmas Day too :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellybears · 21/10/2018 19:54

Oh and he gets a new blanket on Christmas Eve as we get new pyjamas!

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wentmadinthecountry · 21/10/2018 21:36

I've bought a Look Fantastic one for home and also sent one to dd2 who lives at the other end of the country after university.

We have a John Lewis house I bought years ago that will be filled with chocolates (a tradition now) and I'm doing one for colleagues at school. Will also have to think up something for dd1 and her bf and ds and his gf because i AM the Christmas fairy!

candlefloozy · 21/10/2018 21:37

@Someaddedsugar where is the Ferraro rocher one from???? I need that in my life!!

wentmadinthecountry · 21/10/2018 21:38

BTW my older children will be 25, 23, 22 by Christmas but will still not be happy if there is nothing in the Christmas house on the odd day they do show their faces!!!

OhGhoulyFuck · 21/10/2018 21:40

I've got the beanies coffee one this year 

BoomTish · 21/10/2018 21:45

Hotel Chocolat have a good selection, starting at £8 for calendars aimed at kids.

I went for the £68 Grand version, but got 9% off using code CHOCTR3AT. It looks lovely, and at least one window seems to have booze behind it.

www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/large-advent-calendar.html#start=2

Curious2468 · 21/10/2018 22:53

I’ve ordered myself the Harry Potter mini pop figure one 🙈

Curious2468 · 21/10/2018 22:57

m.popinabox.co.uk/merch-figures/harry-potter-advent-calendar/11835657.html

Out of stock now but I’m so excited lol

I8toys · 22/10/2018 00:02

Cats have one each. I made my mum one with an old calendar from last year and filled it with various beauty products. She usually gets boots no 7 but thought it was boring again this year. I've also got her a green and blacks calendar. Kids have a reeses and lindt calendar. I have a rituals, ciate and Thornton calendar. May get the m&s one.

I usually do a treasure hunt one for the kids but they're not bothered now they're older.

Someaddedsugar · 22/10/2018 10:01

@candlefloozy it’s from Debenhams - I’ve looked every year and have never found one but walked past it on Saturday and just had to get it! It was £10 and bought in-store but it’s also online. According to a Google search it’s only available in Debenhams!

candlefloozy · 22/10/2018 13:33

@Someaddedsugar thank you so much! I've got to get that for myself!! Lol