Advent calender

[halfdozen]

I have an idea about putting messages inside the children's advent calender in addition to usual chocolate, but have little inspiration about what to write.

Any ideas??

I pinched an idea from someone on here last year, I think, to put in notes suggesting 'Christmassy' things to do - make a Christmas card; bake mince pies; read a Christmas story, etc. etc.

Was rather good fun - and if you add the occasional, tidy your room so Santa doesn't break his neck on Christmas Eve, can be useful too.

Could be

~religious like the nativity story unfolding
~personal to the dcs from you like remember when...
or moral about the messages to do with sharing,giving,helping others
or something to do that day like share a toy/give everyone in the family a hug etc

Lovely idea.

If your children are old enough, how about a little paragraph on Christmas traditions around the world?

Does anyone make Advent calendars without chocolates (just pics) any more?

Yes they do, but are quite a lot more expensive than puttting chocolate coins in our fabric one, especially when multiplied by 5.

Christmas seems to be more materialistic with higher expectations each year so thought this might keep things more simple.

I got a nativity advent calendar in Smiths yesterday for 1.99 but you don't see many around without chocolates.

I say its mine for the kitchen and they have to take it in turns to open a window.

Halfdozen, I didn't mean to suggest you should get picture ones, it's just I would like to get one without chocolates and I thought there might be some advent calendar connaisseurs on this thread!

don't worry otherside, I am open to any suggestions. I am going to get one and stick it on the fridge and let them take turns. Not sure where from though!!! time is running out isn't it?

Otherside we have a wooden one that was £14.99 from Toys R Us and fill it with a mixture of notes, stories and decorations.

Do you object to all chocolate in advent calendars? If not you could put a few chocolate tree decorations in one that DC can hang on the tree as well. (We can't cos DS can only have dairy and soy free chocolate)

Thanks nappyaddict.

I've found out you can order picture only ones from Amazon but a reusable will definately save money in the long run.

I don't object to chocolate in advent calendars but the DCs are young enough to be excited about a picture and they get soooo much chocolate at Christmas already.