non chocolate advent calendars?

jinx_uk_98

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement for non chocolate advent calendars? I don't mind being a bit creative as it's for the girlf who doesn't eat chocolate.

any ideas mucho apprechiated.
cheers
jinx

Smashing_Blouse

Hi,

I bought a wooden advent calender last year from John Lewis (£20). It has doors which hold small wooden shapes, xmas trees, stockings.... which you then hang on the little hooks. You could also put other treats/gifts in the boxes.

I have just had an email from Matalan and they do the exact same one for £8:rolleyes:

icecubequeen

You can get lego advent calendar, that have bits of lego behind each door.

They can be a bit pricy though, around the £15 mark, but have seen them on Amazon recently for £12.99.

Hope that helps xxx

sethsgran

Could you make one. Cover a shoe box, lid seperately. Wrap up 24 small gifts eg hair bobble, bubble bath sachet, then attatch a length of wool or thin string. Fasten a number to each one then post them through a slot you have created in the lid with numbers hanging out. Each day she will then pull out the correct number for that day. The gifts needn't be expensive and you can add sweets if she likes them or not

earthmother

Are we talking about an adult or child (is 'girlf' girlfriend?)

For kids, as said there is the lego calendar - and Playmobil also do them - or a home-made one (either fabric or wooden advent that you can fill yourself and reuse each year.

If we're talking about an adult (female) then one of the reusable ones would be a good start - fill with little things like hair ties, mini smellies (perfume or toiletries), cheap jewellery, mini manicure or sewing kits etc.

buxtonrabbitgreen

When I was in denmark last week Ikea had the ones you fill yourself. Maybe they do here as well

jinx_uk_98

many thanks guys,

am going to go for that john lewis one, now just need to find 24 little gifts hahah:rotfl:

li'l_p

Poundland usually do the fabric style ones which have pockets to fill yourself.

JesaRose

I work for a hospice charity in Oxford and we sell non-choccie advent calendars which are very popular because it seems to be hard to get hold of the traditional ones now. Not sure if I am allowed to say what charity or our website where you can get them though??? They are £4.95.

Ebay are doing a special on charities this christmas so you should have a look on there for ideas.

Otherwise I think the little felt pocket ones are a nice idea:o

Mummy_Jo

I have very fond memories of an advent calendar from my childhood and it wasn't even mine! My friend's mum made one from felt. It was just a big piece of felt with 24 pockets and everyday she put things into the pockets, hair things, sweets, bubbles, - you get the picture. It was for my friend and her two sisters to share and all of our friends thought it was amazing. Every day she came to school and we were all dying to know what was in the calendar. Much more exciting than the ones I had at home and really personal too. Once it is made though you just reuse it again and again. I guess you could be quite creative with themes though.

Let us know what you do

Jo

jackomdj

My daughter has one (santa with boxes) & this year I have bought some barbie bits from e-bay to go in some of the days, other days she will have hair stuff, little rings & possibly a day or two with sweets in. I need to get our second daughter one (she will be 9 months come Dec) but have not got a clue what to put in it for her...will probably be food; raisins, grapes etc put in just before she opens it - any suggestions for non food ideas (have to be small things to fit in)

Actually that reminded me last year a couple of them would not fit in so we wrote a clue of where to find them!

Nicky