The December countdown is always a highlight of our season and this is our first year using an Advent calendar that has pockets that you can put anything into. Up until this year we've used pre-made Advent calendars that we've purchased in stores. As someone who tries to live a low-waste life, this never really aligned with my values and I was really excited to get our own reusable one this year that we can fill with whatever we want. It has been a bit of a challenge trying to decide what to put in each of the days, especially with a low-waste mindset.
I don't want to give them junk but I also don't want to give them actual gifts that might take away from the excitement of what they get on Christmas day. Here's what I came up with!
- Candy - Most of the days will have pieces of candy in them (leftover Halloween candy if I'm being totally transparent)
- Christmas bath bomb - My kids love special baths. Thinking this one or this one.
- Movie tickets - Star Wars is huge in my family and, with the new movie coming out on December 20, this one was a no-brainer.
- Tickets to paint with Santa - Like this one at Color Me Mine Summit!
- LEGO minifigures - One special minifigure each!
- Lottery tickets
- Oil pastels
- Homemade coupons - I'll write special little notes for things that my boys love to do that we'd do anyway. Maybe a coupon for a hot chocolate with marshmallows, an ice cream cone at McCool's, a trip to their favorite restaurant.
- Tattoos
- Keychains
- Modeling clay
- Stickers
Bath crayons - a huge hit in my house!We actually nixed this one because all the bath crayons have non-refillable plastic exteriors! Instead, I got a set of table conversation starter cards for the whole family!- Money - We'll give money three times: one day to save in their piggy banks, one day to spend on something of their choice, and one day to donate to a cause of their choice.
I know there are a lot of lists out there for tiny gifts for Advent calendars but just wanted to share ours! Do you use custom Advent calendars or store-bought? Anything great you put in yours that I'm missing from my list? Drop me a line on Instagram @mackidsummitsoma or on Facebook to let me know! :)
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