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Original poster

Exhausted all my advent options... Help!

74 replies

TwinsandTrifle · 18/09/2021 22:31

I know how whiny and difficult this is going to sound, but any help would be gratefully received...

I need to get DH and DS13 their advents. I feel like they've had everything over the years that they would like. So would love some inspiration of anything I may have missed.

DS. Now too old for Lego. Had a fossils one. Had a Reese's pieces one and various chocolate. Has ADHD so anything too "build along each day" he gets bored with or loses the bits. I'd rather it wasn't food based as he opens it all and gorges when we're not looking. He's not interested in the crystal ones that have appeared this year. He's got an escape room box for Christmas present, so the calendar wouldn't be ideal.

DH. Likes food. Would not like the snaffling pig, the popcorn, tea, I'm not keen on the idea of a cheese one, he wouldn't like the Bonne Maman or a marshmallow one. Or liquorice. He wouldn't like a sock one. Don't want a solely alcohol one. He does like food. And gadgets.

I've had a look at Degusta which I've seen mentioned on these threads, but last year's looked a bit naff, but I'm basing this on the one review I can find. Can anyone shed a little more light on this? Also debating the F&M feasting advent to share between us, but it's pricey. Can anyone share personal experience of this? Worth it? I know the crackers they do (and charge handsomely for) look beautiful but still contain "posh" shite Xmas Grin so I'm sceptical the advent could be similar.

Please send me your ideas, of things that are different/unique/beautiful/fun/have been real hits in your household....

Thank you xx

OP posts:
PetronellaDilemma · 19/09/2021 08:04

This advent calendar thing has got a bit silly isn’t it.
I also feel the pressure to out do myself each year for the kids with it and still get annoyed at all the little bits left around from the tinc/Smiggle type ones.
They would probably think they’d like a fidget one but who wants 24 bits of plastic tat around!

Original poster
TwinsandTrifle · 19/09/2021 08:06

@Bellie99 oh I thought that was ideal....then I zoomed in and the coffee sachets are things like maple syrup flavour. DH doesn't like flavoured coffee. (Note again how I said was going to sound difficult and whiny!) Honestly, I search and search each year until I find the Eureka moment.

*There's an advent thread in the Christmas section. I'm sure I saw in there one from, I think, Radio Times, that was build your own model car/other things.

Worth a look for inspiration. You'll find Christmas under 'fun and games'.*

Xmas Grin As in where I've posted this. I've read the other advent threads. Hence my list of all the things frequently suggested on them that aren't any good for me, in my OP. I'm a regular on the Christmas boards for years.

I don't recall what the Radio Times one was though. Will Google.

There's a magic trick advent calendar (on Amazon sold by Trends UK) and a Sherlock Holmes puzzle based one.

Magic, neither would like. Sherlock Holmes, I'll Google, thank you!

Is your ds too old for the funko pop advent calendars?

I think so.

OP posts:
WaterBottle123 · 19/09/2021 08:12

OP could you steer them towards something less wasteful? A jar with things to be grateful for each day? There are also advents that suggest one thing you can do for someone else each day.

These advents all sound horrendous in terms of the environment.

User4378645 · 19/09/2021 08:13

DH just has a cheap 'Where's Wally' one from M&S, that's his favourite, he can find Wally each day and eat a cheap chocolate😁 they are about £3 iirc.

gerispringer · 19/09/2021 08:14

Get advent for change charity calendar - £1 donated each day to a different charity and they tell you all about that charity in the window. Otherwise just stick with the chocolates,

gratedbeetroot · 19/09/2021 08:15

I would let DH get his own if he wants one!

I get one for myself every year but DH has never bothered getting one as they don’t interest him.

PlinkPlankPlunk · 19/09/2021 08:20

@gerispringer

Get advent for change charity calendar - £1 donated each day to a different charity and they tell you all about that charity in the window. Otherwise just stick with the chocolates,
Yes! This one is excellent and it might help them have a little think about it…
Original poster
TwinsandTrifle · 19/09/2021 08:24

PS which one of them is stressing about getting you the perfect advent calendar in September?

I'm surprised it took that long for this be said! Don't worry, I'm more than looked after at Christmas by DH Xmas Wink

Also, to all those saying make your own. I have. We've got a beautiful wooden calendar I bought in Switzerland, it lights up, and I've filled the little boxes for DS when he was much younger. With Lego men. Fossils. Gemstone thingys. Cracker jokes. Chocolate coins. Puzzle pieces.

He's too old for this now. But will be brought out again not this year, but the following Christmas for DTwins who will be old enough by then.

Thank you for the Degusta link, I'll have a look at that too.

*Have you looked in Menkind? They had various socks and gadget ones.

(I was thinking of getting the Build a Transistor Radio for DD)*

Menkind might be good for DS. I wouldn't recommend the build the transistor, we've had that and it was shoddy.

OP posts:
WaterBottle123 · 19/09/2021 08:27

@gerispringer

Get advent for change charity calendar - £1 donated each day to a different charity and they tell you all about that charity in the window. Otherwise just stick with the chocolates,
This is an excellent idea. Might get this for mine
Original poster
TwinsandTrifle · 19/09/2021 08:29

DH just has a cheap 'Where's Wally' one from M&S, that's his favourite, he can find Wally each day and eat a cheap chocolate😁 they are about £3 iirc.

Noted for back up!! Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
TwinsandTrifle · 19/09/2021 08:37

The lynx one looks ideal for DS, and at £13 a steal! A little frustrating it's only a 12 day one, but actually, if he had 25 days worth, our house would be fogged to kingdom come! This will be his unless anyone can come up with a curve ball.

Just DH to sort now. (No to spicery, something else often suggested on other threads) Will view the Degusta video...

OP posts:
Briony123 · 19/09/2021 08:40

Get them one with pictures in, then use the same every year. My parents still have the same from before I was born.

Tabbypawpaw · 19/09/2021 08:50

It’s never crossed my mind to do anything other than chocolate! Is that not an option? When I was a kid we just had the paper ones (now I feel old!). You can get so many kinds of chocolate ones, loads of options.

mogtheexcellent · 19/09/2021 08:57

Just to be different how about a traditional picture one?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/09/2021 08:59

Buying advent calendars is a nightmare !
(And though those high end Beauty ones look great and propose to be brilliant value for money , as an Add-On gift , whoah ££££ !)

I have an Advent Calendar that comes out every year , little tree and decorations each day . I used to put 2 chocolate coins in each box and DS/DD took it in turns to open.

They are now 21 and 19
I buy them a chocolate Advent ( Cadburys or similar , about £3 ). Usually by the 10th they've forgotten them !

I make a Beauty Advent for DD ( it forms part of her present list so not an extra gift) . Things like nail polish, lip balm/scrub, facepack, hair bands,small showergel, face creams etc. She uses these anyway . A lot of the ready made ones aren't her thing And she uses only Cruelty Free so a bit of searching .

DS always asks for money not presents anyway . (He saves)
I might just get a bag of £1/£2 coins and leave one each day . He'll need loose change anyway and a pile of coins would make him happier than a body spray

The trouble with Advents/Stockings/Christmas Eve Hampers is if you don;t do them , you get The Xmas Sad Face "But it isn't Christmas without xyz "

idontlikealdi · 19/09/2021 09:01

If you're trying so hard to be different get a religious picture one. Job done.

JustWhatIAlwaysWanted · 19/09/2021 09:02

Why can't your DH have a cheese calendar? You've said you aren't keen but it wouldn't be for you.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/09/2021 09:10

If I bought a cardboard picture Advent Calendar , I can see my DC going full on Father Dougal

IT'S JUST THREE LADS POINTING AT A STAR. A BIT DISAPPOINTING

BeyondMyWits · 19/09/2021 09:11

We have a fabric pocket refillable one and 2 daughters. Tradition now has it that there are 2 chocolate coins or Cadbury hero's at random in each pocket... they will be 19 and 21 this year.

Bellie99 · 19/09/2021 09:13

Only other thought is https://gibsonsgames.co.uk/products/merry-mischief-puzzle-advent-calendar
Don't worry about picky - I'm struggling with DP - gluten free, alcohol free and grumpy Grin

Heartofglass12345 · 19/09/2021 09:22

Is your husband putting this much thought into your advent calendar?!

TheFormidableMrsC · 19/09/2021 09:37

I have bought my ASD/ADHD DS a fidget calendar. He loves his fidgets as they help with keeping him calm so this was ideal. He'd eat anything else in one sitting 🙄

LubaLuca · 19/09/2021 09:47

I don't think people aged 11+ are really that bothered by an advent calendar. They're a 'nice to have' because of the tradition, but stick to a basic picture or chocolate one, and buy them both a specific gift to open on December 1st, perhaps a book or special coffee that will keep them going for the 24 days of advent. One decent thing personally chosen by you is better than 24 repetitive so-so things selected by someone else.

BeeDavis · 19/09/2021 09:53

When i was young I literally had the same advent calendar every year 🙄 even now with a bit more choice i tend to have a wax melt/tealight one. It doesn’t have to be a massive issue.

TheAntiGardener · 19/09/2021 10:03

I had my first advent calendar-for-grown-ups last year. It was from cocoa runners - craft chocolate, so maybe good for dh? The selection of chocolate was very good (I discovered a few new favourites), high quality and I thought the value was quite impressive when comparing against both other advent calendars and the price of cocoa runners products generally.

The only thing was that it came as loose chocolate small or mini bars/samples, envelopes, pegs and string, idea being that you make a sort of washing line with envelopes for each day. More environmentally friendly than loads of plastic and cardboard for sure, but the more generous bars pulled some of my washing lines down and sticking it to the mantelpiece involves either pins or sellotape... I’d still recommend