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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Advent calendar

16 replies

Mummumgem · 21/10/2023 08:14

my DS and DIL have 3 daughters, last year DIL commented about the amount of chocolate advent calendars they each had and all the chocolate.

i didn’t want to be the nan who didn’t do good calendars, I grow up with picture ones but didn’t think they would cut it with these chocolate lovers 😂 so I bought a felt one with pockets to put things in. It was all a bit last minute last year so my son I sent by son money and he bought chocolate coins to go in it (there were only 2 children that year )

this year I really want todo better, if got some tattoos from Amazon they will do a couple of days, and some stickers which I’m hoping will fit. I also had the idea that my DIL could put a clue in the pocket to where the elf has hidden the gift with that idea I have bought some Christmas colouring things and a box of cookie mix. but my DS and DIL both work full time so not always time in the morning

and now I’m stuck, I was thinking about some hair things but will need to check the shops for those (I’m disabled so I have to wait until my daughter can take me ) but I really need more ideas .

OP posts:

marmitegirl01 · 21/10/2023 08:26

Can I gently suggest you don't create this rod for your own back. Just buy their fave choc one if you have to. But really don't make life hard for yourself. ( imagine how it's gonna feel in a few years time when you've done it and you feel obligated to continue)

CrazyBaubles · 21/10/2023 21:23

Do you have to buy them an advent calendar? If they already get more than one, you may be better off putting together a little Christmas craft bundle or something instead.

How old are the dc? I love a picture advent calendar and for the last 2 years, my nieces and nephews have been way more fascinated by it than with their chocolate ones. They're now aged 4,5,8 and 10.

Bigmousestrikesagain · 23/10/2023 11:36

Would also say my DC love the picture advent calendar my mum gets them. It surprised me too but they do!

mumstheword1982 · 23/10/2023 23:15

As a mum, I buy my own kids their calenders, it annoys me if my mum and MIL also want to, they don't need this many. I appreciaye them thinking of my kids, but Its overkill

Tesoroxx · 24/10/2023 04:43

As a parent it's my job to buy the advent calander it really annoys me that mil buys them her own (and it's not for her house as they never go there) not to mention the christmas eve box she insists on dropping at the door. Please let your son and dil have there own you have had your turn with your kids now it's there turn.

spidermonkeys · 24/10/2023 07:41

You are making this unnecessary difficult.
DS and DIL have tactfully hinted at you to not buy advent calendars.

Hibernatalie · 26/10/2023 19:56

I agree, I don't think you need to do an advent calendar and I think their parents have hinted they have enough. How about a little Christmas Eve hamper instead? Or some Christmas pjs and a Christmas book each for 1st December

Hibernatalie · 26/10/2023 19:57

Also they won't thank you for the clue idea - it's sweet but you are just making work for them.

Nearlyadoctor · 26/10/2023 20:02

As pp’s it’s not your place to buy the advent calendars. MIL always insisted in buying Dd one and we just donated it to the food bank , you’ve bought them for your own children and now it’s time to let your son and DIL do their own thing.
Just buy them a nicer Christmas present if you feel the need to spend the extra money.

Original poster

Mummumgem · 29/10/2023 22:49

So I’m the big bad MIL again am I 🙄

i always bought my children advent calendars, the fact that they are all late 20’s early 30’s doesn’t change that, believe me if I could stop I would be happy to, actually no I love spoiling my family, but as they all have partners and children and the average calendar is £10 it’s a lot of money, and yes I do buy for partners too, but and I stress this, every year during the last week or so of November they look hopeful and drop hints it’s a tradition they won’t let me stop.

when my DIL commented about all the chocolate I asked her what she would like me todo and SHE suggested this felt one with little gifts and a few chocolates, I believe her mother has bought a wooden one this year and is doing the same. She said that way she can arrange it that each child gets 1 chocolate a day. It also means that they don’t have to buy one and can put their money towards other things.

this was the result of a conversation with me, DIL and her mother. Believe it or not we all get along quite nicely, well enough that if she didn’t want me to buy something for the children she would tell me not drop hints, mind you it works both ways, she’s not adverse to asking me to buy Halloween outfits or new pj’s when moneys a little tight 🙄😂

OP posts:

housethatbuiltme · 30/10/2023 19:29

Why?

My mam bought these for 2 of my kids and honestly they don't get used, we don't want or need the hassle and theres nothing worthwhile that fits... the kids like just a cheap chocolate calendar.

Its something grandparents seem obsessed with and its an awful 'tradition' thats unsustainable, environmentally awful and genuinely irritating and the parents won't thank you.

Someaddedsugar · 30/10/2023 19:41

@Mummumgem our advent calendar is similar with pockets. I only have the one DC so it tends to be a chocolate coin or similar most days, and then I do similar and add a gift tag that might say baking gingerbread stars or whatever as a nod to an activity we'll be doing and I make sure I have the relevant ingredients etc. other smaller things are lego mini figures (not official ones - ones from eBay etc), a small character toy like a Pokémon or a hot wheels car, temporary tattoos, a stationery item like a pencil or an eraser, a small bath bomb... basically anything little that I know won't be wasted or thrown away as I appreciate they can be an environmental nightmare if they're full of plastic tat that will end up in the bin. I always make sure it's in keeping with whatever DC is into, and where possibly I use charity shops or Vinted to purchase as you can get some really good bits and it saves buying new.

GreenCereal · 30/10/2023 19:43

I agree with PPs, you really don't need to be buying them an advent calendar. I don't understand why anyone thinks children need more than one.

I'd say your DIL commenting about the amount of chocolate the kids have was her way of gently suggesting they don't need another one.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 30/10/2023 19:43

Do it if you want to and it makes you happy, don't do it if you cba. Simple as that :) I'm getting my 2.5 Yr old an advent calender but I wouldn't expect any one else to. I'd appreciate the gift if they did, but wouldn't be offended if they didn't.

Twazique · 30/10/2023 19:48

Hair clips are a good idea, and bobbles and scrunchies if they fit. I would avoid tattoos but love the stickers idea. You can get little stamps pre filled with ink that would also go down well.

Leeds2 · 30/10/2023 21:36

My DD, now 25, used to like getting a shiny coin in her advent calendar from granny. So, 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins would fill up 8 days!
A pin badge would work, maybe something they are interested in eg a character from a favourite TV show.
A mini lego kit.
A bouncy ball/super ball.
Tube of bubbles.
A Santa/Reindeer cookie. Most of the supermarket ones have long sell by dates!
Handbag sized pack of Christmas tissues. They usually have some in Boots.
A lip salve, maybe depending on age. Lush used to do a crunchy type one which DD and her friends used to eat!
A bath bomb.
Character tooth brush.

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