Gifts for the Advent count down

Not sure how to word the title :doh:

We have a wooden advent calendar in the shape of a stack of presents. We first used it last year but I had no idea what to put in it for gifts - staying away from chocolate as much as possible! The boxes are quite small until you get to the 24th & I was able to put in there a mini snow globe. I was wondering if you lovely ladies & gents had any ideas for me this year. I have to fit in 2 gifts or one at time as DS2 16mths is sharp as a whistle and will not miss a thing ;)

Thanks in advance

How about rather than gifts you have little slips of paper with activity suggestions on them? We did this last year and it was a huge hit with DD who was then 3. You can have all sorts of things like "read a christmas story" "make popcorn" "visit a relative" "dance with mum and dad to their favourite song" "eat fish and chips for dinner"... I used to make them up the night before and have them match our needs of the day such as go for gelati when the weather was forcast to be hot. Sometimes I added a little treat like a balloon or a lolly but mostly it was just the activity.

If you want more suggestions I can point you in the direction of some good links.

Ohhh I was going to post the same question :D
I need ideas as wel

If you have a nativity scene you could pieces from that in the boxes and build the nativity scene slowly as you head towards Christmas. I did that one year with my children and they loved it.... calling out the name of the piece and running over to add it to the table. It builds a great anticipation toward Christmas day.

Definitely family based activities! Dwe put in things like dinner at the beach, picnic at the park, take toys to the salvos, bake biscuits etc.

Great ideas thank you I hadn't thought of putting activities in to do on the day. I really love the nativity but have held off getting one as DS2 is one of those children you can't distract even when you think you have. He plays for 5 minutes till you're sucked in :lol: & is right back at what you were trying to distract him from :doh:.

Jackrose - those links would be great if you could.

Thanks again.

Not sure if you are religious but if you are google Jesse tree - there are scriptures you can read with them a well.... If not - pretend I didn't post ;)

I have sent you a pm Hansie with the direct links.

For anyone else interested there are heaps of advent activities available on the net but I think Uncommon Grace, Loobylu and SouleMama have the best.

ive been thinking about making a lovely advent thing for the last few years but havnt dont it yet, wont do it this year either as we are going to the uk on the 14th. but net year i will. i love the one on uncommon grace. SO many great ideas!!!!!!!!

We've got an Advent calendar that needs to be filled up each year. I've got a heap of little Lego toys (from their Advent calendar - we've split it up to go over 3 years), I've also done little toys (ie bouncy balls, stretchy lizards), this year I was going to take a picture of somewhere in the house that I can hide bigger things like colouring books that won't fit in the calendar. The idea of family activities is great, also love the gelati one.

I know you've got a little boy, but for girls hair ribbons and clips are great too.

Thanks for posting this - I saw an advent calendar in the shape of a truck that my son would love, but had no idea what I was meant to do with it! Looks like I'll be going to get it tomorrow :lol:

I just bought an advent calendar yesterday - it is a Christmas train! I'm going to do the activities idea too. I'm going to pop into spotlight and get some different Christmas craft packs for different days and get a gingerbread house pack from aldi.

Can't wait!!!


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I just got a felt one so the activities suggestion is a great one.

In mine I have readings each day that link in with an activity :)

I just came across another awesome idea, Advent crafts.

The blog Lilla A, a swedish blog (also written in English luckily :)) has amazing children's craft activities and is putting together 24 different craft activities using things from around the house. Every day of Advent, a new craft will be posted. If you google Lilla A you should find the blog and then the Advent Crafts are collated under the first button to the right of the blog header.