The countdown for Christmas has definitely begun. And let’s face it, we all need a bit of Christmas cheer this year!
Advent calendars seem to have completely changed from when I was a kid; you were lucky if you got a chocolate one, but now there is so much variety! Having said that, chocolate ones are very popular, but Mini Mumbler seems to bounce off the walls with chocolate, so we’ve come up with some non-chocolate advent calendar ideas!!
- Traditional picture nativity scene
- Elf on the Shelf instead of a calendar – we have put together some ideas for you on the North leeds site HERE
- An Educational Advent Calendar– We received a Winter calendar from my God Parents last year and every day was ‘Hello’ in a different language
- Decorate Santa’s beard with snow balls (click on the picture above!). Every day stick a ball of cotton wool onto Santa’s Beard. When it’s full it’s time for him to come!
- Books – check out your local Usbourne seller for a pre-wrapped 24 book advent calendar!
- A reusable advent calendar – this is what we have and we fill it with different things each day. Last year there was some lego in each day that made up a figure over the advent but we’ve also done miniature dinosaurs and jigsaw pieces.
- Dairy free chocolate (ok, this one of kinda chocolate!) – we’ve had one of these before and the chocolate was yummy
- Happyland calendar – great for role play and full of festive themed characters- available here.
- Playdoh advent calendar – fantastic messy play activity- available here.
- Reverse Advent Calendar – link up with your local food bank and add something in need to a giving box each day of advent
- A promise calendar– In 24 envelopes write a promise of an activity that you’ll do in the New Year. Your children can redeem them whenever they like. Or better still, create a wish calendar, and every day get them to write a wish!
And then we’ve come across a really special one which is perfect to give to Grandparents! Behind each day is a photo of the grandchildren and with two bit of card, some Sellotape and careful cutting from an adult I think this is a great one to make together!!
Do you have any other ideas? Let us know!
