Fun Treats and Surprises For Advent Calendars

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

How can it be possible that December is two days away? I did some shopping this morning. I thought that 9:00 a.m. on a Thursday would be a great time to be shopping, that the stores would be empty. I was wrong; the toy aisle at Target was crowded even that early. The craft store nearby was packed, too. I didn't find many large gifts, but I did some great things for advent calendars.

Here are some ideas for advent calendar treats and surprises:

- Individually wrapped gourmet chocolates or truffles. They are an indulgence, but last a long time at one a day. If your three old won't know the difference between Godiva and the cheap stuff, I'd stick to the cheap stuff. And maybe treat yourself to a little gourmet chocolate.

- Old fashioned candy sticks. These can be found for about ten cents apiece.

- Stickers. Cut a few out of a large card.

- Matchbox cars.

- Beads and directions for making an ornament or necklace.

- Small lego kits.

- Miniature decks of cards.

- Pack of gum.

- Chapstick or lip gloss.

- Tiny cookie cutter or jar of sprinkles.

- Snowman soup kit (hot chocolate, marshmallows, and a peppermint stick to stir the soup).

Other ideas are too big to fit in small spaces. You can write the idea on a slip of paper and put it into the pocket or box. Fun ideas are:

- a scavenger hunt to find a new board game or puzzle - - an announcement that it's sugar cookie baking day

- an invitation from Santa for a visit to see him

- let the child set up the nativity scene (if it's not fragile)

- a coupon for a drive around the neighborhood to see the lights tour

- a tiny tree and ornaments for the children to decorate their own tree

- any Christmas craft project

Have fun loading up your advent calendars and thinking of even more ideas!

Also See:

Naughty and Nice Snowman Gifts

Advent Calendar Fun

Counting Down the Days

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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