Planning Ahead | Advent Calendars

Those look like a lot of fun. I hadn't thought of looking for this type of advent calendar, but I know the boys would love it. We have the little people nativity set and they really enjoy that.

Just ordered the Star Wars Advent for my son and a Lego City version for my Daughter yesterday. I too like to start early and love that I am not alone.

My almost 16 year old son is too old now for these types of toys but we have a count down to Christmas decoration. Santa sits at the top of the chimney and as you pull a brick out each day he comes down the chimney. The bricks are numbered 1-25. I am always pleasantly surprised each year when my son starts doing the bricks without prompting and asks me to keep it up on the weekends when he goes camping with his scout troop.

Ali, thanks for being one step ahead! Now I'll be sure to beat the rush and get our advent calendars. Can't wait to see what you have in store for Daily December this year!

Ali, I love that you share your traditions. My dd is 17, and we do some type of advent calendar every year. It is always a hit! Which reminds me, I need to get started picking up some things.

Ali, I'm really confounded by a Star Wars Advent Calendar -- how does it work? Is there a nativity scene at the end or does Yoda just win? I'm thinking of these for a goddaughter (Playmobile) and a sorta godson/nephew/adopted son of my cousin I went to Russia with to pick up -- and I just want to make sure there's an actual Advent component -- is there? Thanks, Mary

You are amazing. That is all. :)

love this idea, but would be worried about the small pieces with my toddler. :(

I got one for my grandson coming to visit Hawaii for Christmas!
May the force be with all of you! Aloha.

I LOVE this idea!! Thank you so much for sharing. Alexandra is almost the same age as Anna and I know she will love it too!!!

Haha! I enjoyed seeing someone else who gets going early on the Christmas holidays! I always begin my shopping while we are on summer vacation on our Goldwing! One can find all kinds of interesting little things while travelling . . . I especially like the key rings that have names on them, just add a ribbon and you have a dandy little Christmas ornament!

What perfect timing. I had a note for myself on my to-do list for the fall to make an Advent calendar; however, this year I think that we are going to get Lego's for the girls, so it will be perfect to have a Lego Advent calendar. Even if I don't buy a pre-made Lego calendar, I will use the idea to put Lego's in one that I make. Thanks for sharing!

Ha ha, my husband texted me the image from the Lego shop last week - he managed to wait to buy it lol

Thank you for the reminder! Just ordered one for my son. I waited too long last year and they were sold out of the one we wanted. I just bought some clear Christmas ornaments to make into gifts at Michael's today - can't believe I am thinking of Christmas already!

we did lego & polly pocket advent calendars last year...polly was not quite as exciting as lego (polly only had one little piece per day) but it's a good alternative if you've got girls who aren't into playmobile... super fun :)

Hi Ali.

I have been doing christmas for several weeks. Making wreaths,and hand made ornaments and a quilted panels for the
kiddos....never to early. I already have my fall decorating ready to go even though it is not till9/23 for Autumn...besides living in the desert of Phoenix it makes psychologically cooler even though the thermo sez 105

hugs and blessing

Sharon Dryjanski

The advent calendars have become a big part of our Christmas tradition as well. I sometimes think the kids enjoy them more than the abundance of gifts they get on Christmas Day. We did the animal set when Tate was two, this year she picked the horse stable. We also have the Playmobil and Schleich nativity sets. When I was small, my mom would put out her creche scene with the traditional camels, sheep, and donkey for accessories, but she would also put in any additional small animal she had found throughout the year in her thrifting. It wasn't unusual for an elephant to want to visit the baby Jesus. So in continuation of the tradition, we dig into our Playmobil stash and extensive Schleich collection and pull out our circus animals, our forest creatures, pets, etc. The animals far outnumber the people, but I love it now as much as I loved it then.

for the last few months Ive been painting little boxes for advent boxes like what your done Ali, and looking forward to putting a little treat for each of the kids and a different activity for each day bring on december hehe....

What a wonderful idea! My two nephews are so into Star Wars and Legos -- I immediately ordered the Star Wars advent calendar for them. I think buying it was almost as much fun as they will have opening it! :)

We love the Lego Advent calendars! Thanks for the reminder because last year I waited too long and it was very hard to find one.