To feel a lot like Advent Calendar time! Yippee! When I was younger, my mom and Aunt CC used to devote much of November to prepping a reusable Advent Calendar for me and my siblings to share and open together. It’s such a fun way to get the Holiday spirit going, and honestly, it really helped me learn how to count! (At least up until 25.) 

As a college student, I’ve reverted to the chocolate calendars, which is fine and dandy, but I do think it’s so fun to give some little, meaningful trinkets out each day. Even if you want to sneak your roommate a cute little note and a bag of peppermint candies, it feels good to GIVE!

Once you’ve decided you’re gonna go big, the debate about wood or cloth comes into play. I was always a fan of the cloth calendar, because then you can display it in the kitchen from a hook. But there are also some really adorable Scandinavian-inspired, wooden calendars. It’s up to you!

Here is a mock list of 25 days of advent treats, inspired by mom and Aunt CC. All of these things can be purchased from your local dollar store/craft annex. (This is for kids, but I can do an adult version too!)

1. mini nutcracker
2. Christmas tattoos
3. golf pencils
4. Christmas stamps
5. mini moustaches
6. Christmas band aids
7. a packet of balloons
8. peppermint bark
9. googly eyes
10. bubbles
11. Christmas cookie cutter
12. party poppers
13. Christmas pocket notebook
14. red/green playdoh
15. flower seeds
16. red/green nail polish
17. gold chocolate coins
18. red/green chalk
19. finger puppets
20. mistletoe
21. mini snow globe
22. tiny parachutist
23. kaleidoscope
24. Christmas erasers
25. a chestnut