Last year I failed to do my advent calendar search until it was too late and everything was sold out and I did the exact thing this year. Here are my options, which are very limited because everything is sold out. *sigh*
1) Book Lovers ($30 from Uncommon Goods)
2) Jigsaw puzzle calendar ($28 from Uncommon Goods)
4) Popcorn ($36 from Wayfair)
5) Licorice ($59.99 from Amazon) - This, unlike the popcorn, is labelled gluten free!
6) Should I invest in an advent calendar that I can fill myself for my husband? This feels like a good idea RIGHT NOW, but is it just another holiday chore I will find myself responsible for in the coming years? ($59.95 from LL Bean)
7) I waited too long again this year and we're not getting an advent calendar once more?
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What would you do, oh wise internet collective?
I'll happily stick my 2 cents in! Last year was the first year that I ever got an advent calendar, and it was a 1,000 piece puzzle. Hubs and I both love puzzles but rarely have the time to do them together, but it was easy to meet up for 10 minutes a night to do a 50 piece section. It really was 25 days of fun. So if any of these calendars are still in stock, I'd vote to buy now!
ReplyDeletePersonally I would get #3 since it's similar to the puzzle we did last year, with #2 as my second choice - a vlogger that I follow did a "puzzle a day" calendar and it also looked like fun. If I were buying a calendar for you, I might lean toward #1 cuz books. #6 would be my last choice, since there's a "chore" aspect".
I do love the idea of just a few minutes on a puzzle every night as part of our nighttime routine. I think it would be lovely.
DeleteI'm in the same quandary as you about advent calendars, been looking at them in stores and online, can't decide what to do. I await answers from your bloggy followers.
ReplyDeleteYOU GET ME. "Order advent calendar" was on my calendar on OCTOBER 4. I still have not ordered one.
DeleteOoh! Well, I got a different book-ish advent calendar for this year. If you get this one we could compare. But I also did think about getting a puzzle advent calendar- I think that would be fun (and I like the one from Uncommon Goods better than the Santa one.) Those would be my two choices. And, I've also thought about getting one of the calendars that you fill yourself- until I really imagine what it would be like, having to come up with 24 things every year. Nope, I don't beed MORE work in December.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I like the idea of a homemade advent calendar, but the actual work would be frustrating for me. I'm a slacker in reality. I better just come to terms with that.
DeleteI have a reminder in my calendar to buy advent calendars in mid-October but we spend so much time researching that I run into sold out, too, sigh.
ReplyDeleteI tried the “fill your own” one a few years ago but it became every overwhelming to find things that fit in the little boxes or write little notes. I almost got the Mr the Wayfair popcorn one this year but he went with a different snack one, so I’d love to know how it is if you get it! I’ve also heard great things about the Uncommon Goods puzzle one. Good luck and my baseline advice for these is that they’re supposed to be fun and, at least for us, sometimes that fun comes from how well they hit and others it comes from how bad and/or ridiculous one is haha!
Two years ago I spent a lot of money on a Harry Potter-themed advent calendar and it was TERRIBLE. The quality of the candy was awful. So now I'm nervous to spend money on something that won't be awesome. I want it to be GREAT.
DeleteI'd avoid anything like the Fill Your Own. It's simply a Part Time Job. Who needs that? You have plenty going on already, especially this year.
ReplyDeleteIf you like puzzles, the second one is cute. The puzzles aren't huge, they can be a little ritual for after dinner or whatever, even with a drink or snack or something. It would also be fun and be no extra work for you.
I think you're right. I have that Santa puzzle in my Amazon cart. I'm mostly just thinking through the logistics of where to do the puzzle so that the cat doesn't play with it!
DeleteI have had my eye on the book one, too! So cute! I think my husband would enjoy the Lakrids one, but I may be getting him a Nespresso option instead.
ReplyDeleteI have been seriously tempted by a David's Tea advent calendar in the past. Maybe...
DeleteI like the puzzle idea too. My family has a homemade one that is a tree with a gift you put on the tree each day. We have been doing it since before I can even remember, and it was always fun to be the one to put on the1st ornament, which is the star on the top, or the 24th ornament, which is Santa.
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE the idea of a reusable advent calendar like this. This actually makes me think that my mother would like to do a DIY advent calendar and then she could give it to me next year for a Christmas present! I know that sounds crazy, but she likes a project and I would like to receive this project!
DeleteI have one of those daily tiny puzzle calendars (DOGS WITH SANTA HATS ENGIE) and I highly recommend it. It's a fun little treat. I always buy (all three) boys Lindor calendars but I rarely want a chocolate calendar for myself. However! I saw some After Eight calendars at Superstore and I just might buy one for myself. I love the *idea* of a beauty Advent calendar but the fact is that I really don't like beauty samples, so that would be silly.
ReplyDeleteI have been envious of your dog puzzle advent calendar since you talked about buying it at Costco YEARS AGO. Our Costco never has amazing advent calendars like that and I know because I look every time!
DeleteI also love the idea of a beauty advent calendar, but I know that I will only use a quarter of the samples and then feel guilty when I throw the rest away!
Our grandkids are grown and not here often, so we don't do it anymore. If you do, I like 1 or 3.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't any kids here! This is just for the adults!
DeleteYou are an avid reader, so may enjoy this Short Story Advent Calendar from a small publishing company located in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is not sold out, is their ten year anniversary and I have been purchasing it for the last 7 years. When I was working I took my daily story with me and read it on my coffee break. Now that I am retired I grab my morning coffee and start my day with a story.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link if you are interested: https://www.hingstonandolsen.com/store/the-2024-short-story-advent-calendar
I also have a hanging cloth advent calendar with 24 empty pockets that I fill with candies every year for my daughter - she's now 33, so yes, it will be an ongoing holiday chore (although I do find it a delightful one!) - so I would pick the one you do yourself for your husband.
I'm not sure I want to add an ongoing holiday chore. Maybe? What sorts of candy do you put in there? Do you put them all in at the beginning of the month or do it each day? I need to know your secrets!
DeleteI totally get the whole "chore" thing at Christmas. For me stuffing the advent calendar doesn't feel onerous. I have put in every kind of chocolate, gummy, marshmallow, crunchy candy, and even cookies that would fit in the little pouches! I buy the items mid-November and have the whole calendar filled and "the little one" comes buy and enjoys them. It's a long-standing tradition and that's why I enjoy doing it. There's enough stress at Christmas so do what feels the most enjoyable for you.
DeleteIt does sound fun, honestly. And maybe I'd have bandwidth in mid-November (NOW!) to do it. It's something to consider, for sure.
Deleteoooh the Licorice one!!!! I love licorice and I much as I like the cute advent calendars that have cute projects on them, I just don't have the time during December to put together a lego set or a puzzle every night. (Which, upon reflection, maybe the taking of the time is the whole point of an advent calendar?) Plus an advent calendar with a consumable that I won't have to wonder what to do with all the pieces afterwards... seems more my jam.
ReplyDeleteAlso - the link to the licorice advent calendar goes to a Garth Brooks video. What are you trying to tell me?
DeleteHa ha ha! I don't know why that was the link! I fixed it for you!
DeleteWe did a Harry Potter LEGO advent calendar in 2020 and it was the best thing ever. It took three to five minutes and we were so excited every day to open it. So, yeah, it did take time, but I think it was pretty doable.
Oooh! I love the look of the Book Lovers one! (But will it give you days of tiny, clutter-y things?) I really like the L.L. Bean one because you could customize it with things you really like--but yes, it might become a chore. We don't do advent calendars at home, so I'm luckily off the hook here.
ReplyDeleteYou have hit the nail on the head about the Book Lovers one. There's no list of what you actually get in the calendar and the description says "magnetic bookmarks, stickers, ornaments" and I'm not sure I want all those things. I looked into stationary ones and they also seemed to have a lot of things like paperclips and post-its and I'm just not sure I need those sorts of things, you know.
DeleteWe (obviously) don't always do advent calendars, but I do think they're fun and they lighten the mood which can get pretty dark in December around here.
I’ve never bought an advent calendar! We have one made by my husband’s aunt. It’s got a felt character for each day, which we hang on a felt Christmas tree. It’s lovely, but there are no surprises. The LL Bean one is beautiful, but it sounds like a chore, while the other ones look so fun! I hope you can get one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the idea of this. Now I want to make one. Maybe next year.
DeleteI honestly am thinking about asking my mom do to a DIY advent calendar for me for next year!
DeleteI don't think there could be enough popcorn in the popcorn one to make it feel like a treat. I'd feel like, Nice, but now I want more. ;) I think the puzzle one for a little evening fun together or the book lover one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the puzzle one is the leader right now. I think it would be a fun thing to do together!
DeleteWedl's Hamburger Stand in Jefferson is selling an ice cream advent calendar. I love the idea (though you'd have to keep it in the freezer, which kind of defeats the purpose). Not sure if you're on IG, but here's a link. https://www.instagram.com/wedlshamburgerstand/p/C0MybEuAD97/?locale=us&hl=am-et
ReplyDeleteMonday - Friday 11am - 4pm. LOLOLOL. Dear Wedl's, I am an adult with a job. Figure out your hours. Love, NGS
DeleteI can not decide. It feels foreign to me to buy myself a calendar to be honest. Besides a pack of tea with 24 bags – I do that. I will get one from my mom and that is that.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of someone getting a book calendar. 24 books from the wishlist. Now that is a calendar I can easily get behind.
I have considered getting an advent calendar with tea! It would be delightful to make a new cup of tea every evening in December.
DeleteI don't want twenty-four books! Where would I put them all?!
I bought my advent calendars (yes, two!) in October because I remembered this happening to me last year! I think I'm going to put a calendar alert every 10/1 to "research and buy an advent calendar!" because they sell out so quickly. My vote is the puzzle one. I got a book advent calendar (it's not from Uncommon Goods but I think it's similar) so I can vet it for you this year and see if it's worth the price!
ReplyDeleteI put it on my calendar for early October, too, but then I did not do it! You are clearly better at adulting than I am.
DeleteI would love a puzzle advent calendar but I think I need to hold off for one more year before buying it because I am not confident that Taco wouldn't mess with it. Next year he'll be 5 so that might be the year to have a puzzle advent calendar. I debated whether to get an advent calendar for the boys but opted not to. Last year I got them a LEGO calendar but they were kind of tricky to put together and there were so many extraneous small parts that it annoyed me.. We do have a drawer advent calendar that I put m&ms in. In past years, I would put a slip in every few days that said "pick a present" but I can't bear to bring anymore stuff into our house during this gift-heavy season of the year... so they'll just get m&ms and will hopefully be happy with that.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you pick, though!
Yeah, I do see how finding something for all the days of the advent calendar would be IMPOSSIBLE, especially if you don't want to have to buy separate containers of treats. I am not sure I'm up for the task myself and I don't have small children! You're already miles ahead of me.
DeleteI got myself the McSweeney's advent calendar and I am very excited. I still get Eve the Lindt one because I see her near the beginning of December while I'm driving to my friend's house for our annual weekend. Matt's away half of December so I'm not worrying about him. I do love the idea of a puzzle one, but I have SO many unpuzzled puzzles right now.
ReplyDeleteUnpuzzled puzzles! I like the idea of just a few minutes every night for us to do a puzzle together. We'll see!
DeleteOne year I thought that getting one of those drawer advent calendars would be a nice idea - it turns out the drawers are fairly small so that will only fit something very tiny or you need to write something on a piece of paper and put it in there (thinking outings, vouchers, experineces, quotes, etc.) - so unless you want to do that stay away (speaking from experience). I like the booklovers idea and tea is always an option. I recently ordered a sampler with different types of tea and this is something completely doable for 24 days (and you get to try different teas and find one that you really like).
ReplyDeleteI think I'd want to know a lot of detail about it if I purchased one to make sure it wasn't too small (or too big!). It's definitely a fine line.
DeleteI want to get Dorothy the Sephora one, but I don't really want to get the for anyone else LOL
ReplyDeleteI get that! I'm making my husband share with me. No one gets their own!
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