Could we have an advent calendar thread?

[thelegohooverer]

I thought it might be nice to have a thread to chat about advent calendars.

My dc are trying to pick between Lego Starwars

Lego Harry Potter

and pokemon

I’m thinking of getting dh either a marshmallow or a more sensible coffee advent calendar.

I really like this Mr Holmes mystery one but can’t think of anyone who’d appreciate it.

[1000mangoesinabirthdaycake]

Luxplus - that could be a good shout, I'll have a look. She's just starting to like Barbie.

[FlamedToACrisp]

@ItStillLooksLikeRainDear

Beauty calendar- Temple Spa are bringing out their first ever advent calendar this year. I love their products, especially the truffle range. It’s £120 so quite expensive but it’s got £240 worth of products.

I read this to my DS. He said, "If that's the advent calendar, what are they getting for Christmas - a small Indonesian island?"

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

I have a calendar question - IF we make it back to the U.K. for Christmas (bought flights but I reckon. It’s 50/50 if we make it) we would be travelling on 16th December with limited luggage space and I usually do a hm calendar. Kids are 9&12, WWYD? Have half a calendar here and half ready to go in the U.K.? Double chocolate every day?!

[Splendidseptember]

Op what a brilliant idea thank you. I was all set to get dd, 7,the Harry Potter lego, she adored the calendar we got last year (Santa's work shop) but walked past something else Harry Potter and said 'ugh I HATE Harry Potter'!!!

The marshmallow one looks good.

[Yesyoudoknowme]

Yes please! Can anyone help - I have got a 'fill your own' one for DH - the boxes are 6x6x4.5 cm. Apart from chocolates what else can I find to put in there? He's into Lego so a few Lego men will work but I am struggling beyond that!

[thelegohooverer]

@Yesyoudoknowme

Yes please! Can anyone help - I have got a 'fill your own' one for DH - the boxes are 6x6x4.5 cm. Apart from chocolates what else can I find to put in there? He's into Lego so a few Lego men will work but I am struggling beyond that!

It’s really hard to find small stuff for men. With women you can get nail varnish, lip balm, hair accessories and eye shadow in there.
All I can think of are chocolates, flavoured coffee sachets, small scratch card rolled up, usb, extra charging cable, naughty note/token, condom [...this is taking a certain direction]
Honestly, I’d probably just stick to chocolate.

[covidmonkey]

I filled 12 calendar for dh last year. I put in free fragrance samples, Star Wars bottle opener and car smellies and other little things. I found it hard to figure out what to put in it so this year I skip that.

[Yesyoudoknowme]

Thanks, will just have to keep my eyes open... @thelegohooverer way too old to need condoms! but has given me a few other thoughts

[KillZill]

Ooh thanks for this OP.

I need ideas for my fill your own calendar. (Aldi train from a couple of years ago)

I forgot to fill it last year so want to make the effort this year. Ideally need two small gifts for DTs each day. They will be 3 in January - bonus if it isn't chocolate l. They are into dinosaurs, Thomas and minions if anyone sees anything suitable!

[Gazelda]

@KillZill

Ooh thanks for this OP.

I need ideas for my fill your own calendar. (Aldi train from a couple of years ago)

I forgot to fill it last year so want to make the effort this year. Ideally need two small gifts for DTs each day. They will be 3 in January - bonus if it isn't chocolate l. They are into dinosaurs, Thomas and minions if anyone sees anything suitable!

Stickers
Fun erasers
Packets of seeds
Little puzzles
Mini Bubbles
Toy car
Marbles

[Maxineputyourredshoeson]

I was just having a look through this about the beauty advent calendars this year, some lovely ones which are way out of my price range....

beautyadventcalendar.net/

[snowmanshoes]

Speaking of beauty advent calendars....
ASOS have released theirs!!! £75 for the 25 day one but they have a 12 day one for £35. 15 percent off on their website for new customers (or new email addresses!!)

[PhantomErik]

KillZill you could get a Minions Mega Bloks (like lego) advent calendar, that would fill half of yours if you're filling it for 2 little ones. They're usually around £12. Then get some erasers, choc coins & dinosaur figures to fill the rest.

My 2 ds's had the Minions one & Turtles one each a few years ago & they loved them.

[missyB1]

We had a beautiful musical advent calendar last year from Amazon. You open the window and press the button and each day you get a lovely Christmas type tune.
www.amazon.co.uk/Alison-Gardiner-Victorian-Coppenrath-Cardboard/dp/B0753W7X75/ref=pd_sbs_201_2/260-5612817-3759220?psc=1&pf_rd_p=ab0f8dce-7f41-4f1b-a486-fa30b5d29eaa&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=BvkSl&pf_rd_r=NRJBY0GHD1T3KPSSBF3W&pd_rd_i=B0753W7X75&pd_rd_w=Hh3vD&refRID=NRJBY0GHD1T3KPSSBF3W&pd_rd_r=56e25ce9-268a-47e9-a3ea-77e3bbdf62eb&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[LeroyJenkinssss]

@Yesyoudoknowme I did this for DH and put in
Bike tool kit (little pocket set)
Penknife
Sugru mouldable glue
Biltong
Ninja wallet thing
Expansion card set for board game we have
Egg cup
Salt and pepper camping set
Hand warmer thing
Socks

Advent calendars are considered part of our main presents though so we do spend a bit on them

[Figgygal]

We had the minions one too
Maybe 3 years ago - still gets played with

[Mrsfussypants1]

I think it will be a chocolate one for grandaughter (4) this year as my daughter and son in law have on a rainy day let grandaughter open all the doors at once. Last year's playmobil Santa's workshop didn't make it to the 2nd, though they stuck to the Christmas rules with the chocolate one. I'm tempted to buy the Christmas our generation doll from Very and give her that on December the 1st instead I'm not sure.

[Andylion]

I'm pretty sure it was here on MN, last year, that I read about a puzzle calendar.

I bought a puzzle, put it together, then divided it up into 24 sections. I took each section apart, putting them into bags numbered 1-24. Each day my niece will get a bag with a small part of the puzzle to complete.

I was too late for last year, but I bought a puzzle on sale in January and have already completed it, took it apart, bagged it and numbered the bags. I would like to find something other than the sandwich baggies the pieces are now in, and maybe a decorative card with each number.

I have already begun writing a poem to explain what it is all about. 😁

[BighouseLittlemouse]

Can anyone recommend a good but relatively inexpensive fill your own advent?

Can have very small drawers. My DS last year started ( of his own accord) a music advent - where he wrote a load of songs on bits of paper and we picked one blind each day to play at breakfast. It was actually quite fun. Anyway he’s asked to do it again and I thought would be good to get a little advent calendar for him to put them in

[everythingisginandroses]

@BighouseLittlemouse - a music advent is a nice idea, think I might steal that, especially as I am home for breakfast every day now

Sorry I don't know about build your own advents, but I'm sure other posters will have some ideas.

I usually get DS a Belgian chocolate one from John Lewis or TK Maxx. In terms of 'grown-up' advent calendars, Beer Hawk are doing pre-orders on their advent calendar for £75, specially-brewed beers from some really good breweries. I am going to try not to succumb to temptation...

[thelegohooverer]

Did anyone have a cheese advent last year, and if so would you recommend?

[TrickyD]

I know that Yankee Candles are not popular on MN, but I bought their 2020 advent calendar, £19.99 Amazon Prime.
24 tealights, 8 ‘Christmas’ flavours. So far, very pleasant.

[FrancisCross]

@TrickyD Yankee Advent Calendars are my guilty Christmas pleasure 🤫

[dollypartonscoat]

Pork scratchings advent calendar from snaffling pig and cheese calendar for me

Beer for DP

Cheap chocolate ones for the kids

[EvilHerbivore]

I've gone for the Lego Harry Potter one for DS1
The Pokemon one for DS2
And a degusta one for me as I like the idea of having a nice treat snack/drink surprise every day