Anonymous wrote:Not to go all "true meaning of Christmas" on this thread, but less materialistic ways of celebrating Advent are worth considering.

Original Poster here - one of our main Xmas gifts is each identifying a charity and supporting it. It’s covered but thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, you could end up with SO much stuff this way. Do you also do Christmas stockings?
For our tween/teen, we now just put different kinds of candy (1 piece per kid per day--a few varieties). On the last day we might throw in $ (5-10). They still love it. When they were younger this was interspersed with stickers/tattoos. Ours doesn't have much room in the little boxes, which I guess turns out to be a blessing as we're not tempted to up the ante on stuff over the years (which has definitely happened with the stockings!)

We do also do stockings. I’ve been wanting to do an Advent Calendar for awhile though. Nothing big, but just something small and sweet.

Not to go all "true meaning of Christmas" on this thread, but less materialistic ways of celebrating Advent are worth considering.

World Market is my go to for stuff like this. They have all sorts of great little toys, science experiments, candy, etc.

Anonymous wrote:You can also put experience ideas in there by writing them on a piece of paper, like “tonight we are going to bring hot cocoa in the car and drive around the neighborhood looking at the Christmas lights” or “today we will put out snacks and drinks for the trash collectors and delivery people to say thank you for their hard work”

Yes! We do this. We also give “coupons” that they can use later in the year, such as “one night off of dishwasher emptying” or “one breakfast in bed” or one “You choose the movie for family movie night” The Grinch also shows up on a couple of days (we put a small grinch eraser we have but you could also do a grinch sticker in the box) and in order to “grow his heart” they have to do something nice for someone in the family that day. The last day they each get an ornament (for the box, we put a slip of paper with scavenger hunt clues to find it. They have to work together to find it. Helps to occupy them for awhile on Christmas Eve day when excitement and energy levels are HIGH. Lol.

You can also put experience ideas in there by writing them on a piece of paper, like “tonight we are going to bring hot cocoa in the car and drive around the neighborhood looking at the Christmas lights” or “today we will put out snacks and drinks for the trash collectors and delivery people to say thank you for their hard work”

Anonymous wrote:Not sure how much room you have, but slightly bulkier ideas: a pack of cards, a few cool postcards, cool pens/pencils/markers or other fun versions of useful things like binder clips or paper clips, Jelly Bellies in a favorite or weird flavor, a fancy version of a food they like (jam? peanut butter? even those little tasters of different salt), glass or metal straws (or boba straws if they’re fans), a non-disposable pair of chopsticks, stickers, trial size shampoo or face wash or lotion, printed-out photos and/or a small frame, pocket notebook or diary, and always yes to socks. One day’s treat or toy for your pet if you have one? Or one day with a bill or check they can give to their choice of charity?

If the calendar only has tiny spaces, you could expand to gifts of any size by putting in a note guiding them to where they’ll find the day’s hidden gift.

Genius. Not OP but I bought cute advent calendars without thinking about the teeeensy tiny spaces for each day. A few “larger” items sprinkled in ~scavenger hunt would be GREAT! I mean, i can’t even get a lip balm in the thing…

Wow, you could end up with SO much stuff this way. Do you also do Christmas stockings?
For our tween/teen, we now just put different kinds of candy (1 piece per kid per day--a few varieties). On the last day we might throw in $ (5-10). They still love it. When they were younger this was interspersed with stickers/tattoos. Ours doesn't have much room in the little boxes, which I guess turns out to be a blessing as we're not tempted to up the ante on stuff over the years (which has definitely happened with the stockings!)

Not sure how much room you have, but slightly bulkier ideas: a pack of cards, a few cool postcards, cool pens/pencils/markers or other fun versions of useful things like binder clips or paper clips, Jelly Bellies in a favorite or weird flavor, a fancy version of a food they like (jam? peanut butter? even those little tasters of different salt), glass or metal straws (or boba straws if they’re fans), a non-disposable pair of chopsticks, stickers, trial size shampoo or face wash or lotion, printed-out photos and/or a small frame, pocket notebook or diary, and always yes to socks. One day’s treat or toy for your pet if you have one? Or one day with a bill or check they can give to their choice of charity?

If the calendar only has tiny spaces, you could expand to gifts of any size by putting in a note guiding them to where they’ll find the day’s hidden gift.

AirPods, charger, tickets, Swiss Army knife

bun maker
hair bands
earrings
hand moisturizer
leg warmers
winter hat
gloves
neck guard
nice soap (I broke up a small set from beekman 1802)
Ornament

Earrings, candy, small games/cards (ds likes Pokémon), mini lego sets, putty…

Tiny walkie talkies, each kid gets one.

Anonymous wrote:So far I have

Lip balm
Bath bomb
Lottery tickets
$
Nail polish

Any other ideas for a boy or girl?


Thanks

I just did one where I included:

Candy
Mints
Gift cards ($5-$10 to Dunkin and Chick fil A)
Socks (I did Xmas ones)
Soap/small shower gel
Lotion
Scrunchie (design was sports related)

So far I have

Lip balm
Bath bomb
Lottery tickets
$
Nail polish

Any other ideas for a boy or girl?


Thanks