Advent Calendars

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, or in my house, the first Sunday that I can decorate the house for Christmas, sing “O Holy Night” at the top of my lungs, buy a Christmas tree and not feel guilty.  It is also when I will display my Advent Calendars and begin the countdown to Christmas day.

I remember the Advent calendars from my childhood.  They were cardboard boxes with winter scenes printed on them along with the numbers one through twenty-five.  I remember the excitement of opening a new “hidden window” each night to discover a chocolate treat inside.

We countdown to Christmas in a variety of ways including a hanging Santa calendar with a candy cane marker.  We’ve already got Santa hanging in our kitchen, candy cane poised and ready for December 1st.  We’ve also got a countdown sign with a piece of chalk to track the days until Santa arrives.  This year we also have the Advent Calendar reinvented courtesy of Playmobil, with each day providing a new small toy.  After every window has been opened, your children will have an entire scene, complete with figurines.  Playmobil provided my family with the “Christmas in the Forest” set for review, and I like that it includes toys rather than candy.  I also like that it is a perfect fit for little boys, while many other Advent calendars are geared towards little girls.

How does your family count down the days until Christmas? Also, watch for my upcoming holiday toy guide for boys!

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11 Comments

  • I would say advent calendars have came a long way! Very neat/cute idea.

    • Amy

      It’s very cute! The chocolate never tasted that great anyway 😉

  • Christie

    What a cute calendar! I’ve been looking for one that’s boy appropriate as well. Since the boys are still young I think I can get away another year while I look. I may give in and buy one of the felt ones and sill it myself. I love advent calendars!

  • This looks really cute!

  • These are really awesome!! I have one of them but not this particular one 🙂

    • Amy

      Emma got one last year with princesses. I’m so happy there’s a boy friendly version.

      • Yes! me too! I didn’t get one for my daughter last year but I did get my sons one this year and it’s great!

  • I love that one! We have a homemade one and one with chocolates!

    • Amy

      I just saw one with chocolates today for the first time in ages. I was tempted to buy it!!

  • I LOVE advent calendars!!!! My sister and I always had one growing up and I make sure to buy them for my little ones now that I’m a mom. I do wish I could find more varieties of them though; I seem to be seeing the same 2 illustrations over and over every year 😉 That Playmobile one sounds cute.

  • Mommy always had an Advent calendar growing up – and she spent a while this year looking for a dark chocolate one for Daddy, but had no luck… That Playmobil one looks awesome – maybe I’ll get one next year!