Guest Picks: Advent Calendars for All Ages
The large pockets of this one let you fill each day with an extra-special gift. Let the kids take a turn each day, or put in presents they can share.
This is the classic Advent calendar that my mom always bought for me and my siblings. There are 24 pieces of chocolate hidden behind cardboard doors, and you open one door each day. It was often too much for my younger siblings to handle, and they would get caught eating all of the chocolate on the first day. It's such a fun memory that I bought these for my kids this year.
These Lindt chocolate Advent calendars would have been too expensive for my mom to buy for six kids, but if you're a fan of delicious chocolate, it's the way to go for sure.
With this countdown you uncover a different letter to spell a special Christmas message.
This Santa Claus Advent calendar is affordable at just $9.99. You can put whatever you'd like in the drawers, and excited children pull open a new one each day to see what's inside.
These adorable boxes can be used as for Advent or just as a decoration for your home. They can be stacked on a table or glued to a backing for hanging.
This is a very traditional Christmas countdown. Each day has a felt ornament that you hang on the tree. I love the old-fashioned charm.
This is a Fair Isle twist on the Advent calendar. Little doors reveal the Christmas treats that you put inside.
Even though it's a more commercial alternative, I couldn't resist this cute Advent calendar. I loved Playmobil toys as a kid, and I'm glad to see they're making a comeback. (Not suitable for kids under 3.)
This bright and colorful nontraditional Advent calendar has a multicultural vibe. I love how the numbers are randomly placed for more interest.
You can make your own calendar with these vintage-looking bags. Hang them up or hide one on your child's pillow each day filled with a small gift for a fun surprise.
These cute cones are a downloadable PDF that you can print yourself. Then string them up as a clever decoration and advent calendar in one.
I think this Advent calendar is a classic that can be enjoyed for years to come. You can fill each stocking with tiny presents, notes or fun activities to do all month.
This is an inexpensive sticker version that little kids will love. Add a new piece of the nativity scene each day until you've recreated the original Christmas scene.
This calendar is made from map pages and would make a fun addition to the home or office. I think husbands or teenagers might like this one best.
Last but not least, this is my favorite Advent calendar. It is hand crafted in Germany for Glaesser, and it's $1,200. Maybe next year?Next: 20 Holiday Essentials to Get You to New Year's
The small boxes on this tree can hold miniature ornaments or tiny treats — one per day as you count down the days until Christmas.
Q