Advent calendar ideas

[ChristmasMad1]

Hi all,

Looking for some inspiration for my DD (21) who still loves an advent calendar. Last year I DIY-ed a Japanese snack calendar using a snack box and little paper bags, and she loved it. But she's recently had to go gluten-free (not coeliac, but sensitive), so I’m having to rethink this year’s calendar. She’d still like something edible. Ideally something fun, a bit different, maybe international or themed, or at least a bit of a treat each day.

Any ideas?

Is she in to beauty? My DD is the same age - she’s had beauty advent calendars from M&S, ASOS & Liberty London in recent years. Always loves getting to try out loads of new makeup and skincare products

I don't know what it would be like for gluten sensitive people but what about doing a selection of pick and mix? Different sweets each day (smallish boxes/bags). Candy Kittens are good for this sort of thing candykittens.co.uk/pages/christmas?srsltid=AfmBOoqNaPcQBPuAQquiA93drtkDwfS9Lb1fsIQPr4GuKZ7RiU0ph00A .

There are some fun ones here https://www.yumbles.com/christmas/christmas-advent-calendars (I haven't used this site though).

It's probably too early to buy them, but the website Sous Chef does foodie advent calendars - liquorice, spices, special sweeties, popcorn, nuts etc. So you could wait for those to come out, or make your own

If you're going away anywhere this summer you could stock up on some things from that place to do a themed calendar e.g. small packets of sweets, chocolates, soap, hand cream, lip balm etc

@CantThinkOfAUsername57 she is sensitive to makeup / skincare so only uses specific items. @gato21 This is a lovely idea, I think I'll go with the candy kittens. @Ophy83 I wish we were going abroad, I was hoping to do a foreign snack calendar but I am not going away until after December

We got Degusta advent calendars for our adult children last year and they were great.. When they went down to half price in December we treated ourselves too

I make a little advent calendar each year. I did fossils and gemstones for my teen last year which went down quite well.

Mini jars of preserves - Bonne Maman do some nice ones - you can get actually calendars but I'm a bit "Eh?" at some of the flavours .
It's tricky to find unusual, small, useful but not too £ things .

You could always make up the calander but mix up the content, GF snacks, favourite sensitive skin products, candy kittens, jewellery, give her a real surprise each time, not just item but type of item.

Head to your nearest big city and you'll find a large number of Indian, Chinese, African, eastern European supermarkets that sell everything you could think of. Make it a little trip for yourself and enjoy exploring.

Alternatively I was gifted a snack box from snackverse with goodies from France - I think they do a different country each month. X

I'm obsessed with the M&S one it's such good value for what you get