Advent Calendars

[nwhiker]

When the kids were littler we did many an Advent Calendar. There was always a chocolate one (Trader Joe's, LOL), and usually LEGO or Playmobil. Over the years, it became pretty much chocolate only.

Over the years, as well, Trader Joe's Advent Calendar declined in both side and quality. They kept the price the same.

Linnea did hers, of course, but Perry would just not touch his until 24 December when he would open it and eat a handful of chocolates.

I'd toyed with the idea of upgrading to something better, but usually lacked the time, ambition, or mental space.

This year, I didn't bother buying TJ's calendars at all.

Then Linnea came home 1 Dec for her eye doctor appointment the next day. Where is my Advent Calendar, she asked.

Ooops.

It took me a bit to pull together, and I'll start earlier next year. I order small white paper bags and some Christmas stickers from amazon, bought some chocolate, some gummi candy, some big cookies, some small beauty products, a few gift cards ($5 each), and a (cheap) necklace she'd been wanting. Assembled on wrapped poster board. I was hoping to get it done before she came back from uni but amazon failed me and delivered the envelopes and stickers a day later than they'd originally said.

But it's pretty and she was OMG thrilled when she saw it. Even more thrilled when she opend 1 Dec (to catch up) and 8 Dec last night, to find Lindor chocolate balls, and a beauty mask of some sort.

We're planning on making Advent bags for my niece and nephew next year, and I know my bro or SIL will tack them up to poster board if I ask, LOL.

Comments

[camelsamba]

Great idea! I still get the Trader Joe's ones for everyone, except myself. You're right that the quality has declined - but hey, it's 99 cents. This year I ordered a tea calendar from a local shop - I lucked out timing-wise because she only had ~200 and they sold out within a couple hours. (I just managed to see and respond to the email right away.) I almost bought a Bonne Maman one at the grocery store for Matthew, because he likes jellies and jams, but in the end I couldn't rationalize it. Maybe next year...

[nwhiker]

Oh man, I saw the Bonne Maman one and was so tempted as well. Glad you found a good one for yourself.

[siamese1]

Such a cute idea! However, in my house, I'm the only one who cares about Advent calendars. I did treat myself to the TJ's one this year, but I'm disappointed in the quality of the chocolate-like food substances. If I'm going to splurge on chocolate, it better be worth the points! ;)

[nwhiker]

See this is why my best business idea would have a url of "fillmomsstocking.com" where moms could go to click on 'beauty gifts' or 'cooking gadgets' or 'socks' etc, choose a $$ level, and get pre-wrapped little surprises and of course good chocolate to come in the mail to fill their own stocking. Dh and I long ago agreed on no gifts, but since I fill the stockings, that's always a bit of a bummer.

[camelsamba]

I used to buy myself a box of the Trader Joe's truffles, and eat one a day (back when the truffles were seasonal). No cute pictures though! But then they changed the supplier and I didn't like them any more, so I stopped.