Christmas stocking or advent calendar?

[IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece]

Going away with a friend for 13 nights over Christmas and New Year, will arrive 5 days before Christmas and come back New Years Day (so not a typical advent calendar time but enough nights for 12 days 😁) and I want to do something a bit extra special and fun as a surprise but can’t decide wether a Christmas stocking filled with fun goodies each or a 12 day advent calendar each is more fun!

If it help

• budget will be about £30 each
• we are buying each other a Christmas present
• We will be flying there so will have to take everything with me (but checking bags so liquids not a problem)
• I own neither stockings now advent calendars so will have to buy regardless
• either of us have any family traditions related to either

and I guess the second question is regardless of which one you think I should do…any ideas for what to put in them 😂

I would go for 12 days - maybe tied in with planned activities if you can.

Things like a bath bomb, facemask, lipbalm, nail varnish, body glitter (if that's your thing!), Christmas headband/hat for Christmas day.

Something glittery for new years eve.

Small card game? Uno, dobble, boggle.

Fluffy socks, gloves/wrist warmers.

Keyring, bookmark, Christmas decoration personalised to remember the trip.

I always like to put a christmassy joke in each day of an advent calendar!

In terms of presenting it, I've used brown paper bags this year taped up and pegged on string with the numbers on the front.

I think an advent calendar will feel more like a fun Christmas extra, whereas a stocking is very close to just being an extra gift, plus you don’t get the excitement of it yourself as you know what’s in there.

Thank you! I think you’re right, advent calendar more fun!

Coming up with 12 not overly expensive items for each of us (esp when one has v expensive taste and buys everything she wants…that one isn’t me…) is tricky 😂