Advent calendars

[Momof3Labs]

I want to get an advent calendar, a nice one that will last for years. Right now, my first choice is the LL Bean tree one since you can see each number "ticked" off (I know we'll get the "how many more days" question multiple times per day, and it would be nice to just point to the calendar, lol). I saw the Restoration Hardware, Garnet Hill and PBK ones (mentioned in old threads) but like the LL Bean one the best.

Are there any other options out there this year? Does Costco have a nice one this year? Our Costco is opening at the end of November, and I could wait if they have a good one!

[SnuggleBuggles]

I can't seem to find if you can buy it on their their website but if you have a Hallmark nearby they have a really nice option. It is a felt Christmas tree with ornaments you attach to each day. It's the Countdown to Christmas tree. I like it because it is so bright and colorful. My friends had one like it when I was growing up and I loved it so I was really happy to find this one. Very kid friendly.

http://pressroom.hallmark.com/keepsake_kids.html

ETA...a further search turned up this "Santa's Workshop" coutdown tree. This may have replaced it but since Hallmark is a franchise you may find different things in your stores.

http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&partNumber=QKK3066_DK&rank=P5R5S&searchValue=countdown+to+christmas

The only thing I wish were dif't about them is that my friend's had pockets at the bottom where the waiting ornaments lived so you could see what was left and how many were left. With the Hallmark ones they are all just in the pocket.

Another option is one of those garland style countdowns. You can either add a mitten/ stocking/ sock/ ornament/ etc. to the garland with numbered clips every day or take them away. I plan to have a few things going on here to help with the "is it almost Christmas" questions I am already getting now. :)

Beth

[Momof3Labs]

I like the Hallmark tree one; that is cute. Not as crazy about the Santa's workshop one, so I'll have to see what our Hallmark stores carry.

The garland style sounds cute, too. Has anyone seen one of those around?

TIA!!!

[MelissaTC]

Costco does have one. I bought it. It is a house, Victorian styling, with little doors to open. There is some space in there to put cars, candy, etc... You know who is already obsessed with it. For the price, I am happy. It was around $34. Will it last forever? I don't know, especially with Hurricane DS around. But it is cute. I especially like the carolers that are on the side of it.

[american_mama]

If you are interested in one that supports fair trade and artisans in developing countries, there's

http://www.agreatergift.org/Kitchen/ChocolateFood/Divine/23002.aspx

I thought I'd seen another one, but cannot find it now.

[drewsmom4405]

I was thinking about getting one of the felt ones from Lillian Vernon:

http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=6960&name=Hanging+Advent+Calendar+with+24+Ornaments&parentCatId=752&catId=766

[annasmom]

I just got this one!! I like it, it is a bit bigger than I expected. The quality is so-so, more on the bad side. The writing is embroidered with a metallic thread, and it is already coming undone in places (I just took it out of the bag today, so this was the condition we received it in).

For the money, I don't mind. I wanted a hanging calendar because we don't have the space right now for a free-standing calendar. I also knew that my dc would be really tough on anything we got so, I didn't want to spend a lot of money. We will get a really nice one in a few years.

If you aren't looking for an heirloom, and wouldn't be heartbroken if the calendar didn't even make it until next year, then this one may work. Otherwise, my recommendation would be to keep on looking!

[LBW]

Hmm. I've been looking, too. Here are some of the ones I've considered.

I like this one from Orvis, but worry about storing it:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=62G1&dir_id=1034&group_id=12353&cat_id=12351&subcat_id=12352

I like this one, too. I think it's neat that a poem is revealed, instead of objects.
http://www.coalbankhollow.com/adventCalendars.htm

There are a few nice ones here:
http://yonderstarshop.stores.yahoo.net/adcal.html

If I was rolling in dough...
http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6315

I need to check out the Costco one!

[Corie]

We have the Hallmark tree advent calendar! It is so pretty. :)
We really like it.

[Corie]

Lori,

Check out the November 2006 issue of Family Fun magazine
on page 28. There is a make-your-own garland style
advent calendar. It is super cute! (I saved the page
from the magazine! Thought we might try this one too!
You can never have too many advent calendars.) :)

[Corie]

I just saw this one in my Sur La Table catalog.


Gingerbread Advent House

http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?PRRFNBR=18898

[annasmom]

nak

i will be using our calendar from lv this year, but i think i will try to get this one if it goes on sale.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/ch230/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7C% 7C%7C%7Cadvent%20calendar&cm%5Fsrc=sch

[mommab]

Not sure if you're still looking for an advent calendar, but this company has quite a few.

http://www.catholicsupply.com/christmas/advcal2.html

I'm going to order the first one on the list - Wood Nativity Advent Calendar.

Hth,

[kcimato]

I bought the hallmark tree for my grandson after Xmas last year for $10. We just use it as a tree he can decorate by himself. He had a ball with it when we were there over Thanksgiving. He's 17 mos so he just loved knocking off the ornaments and then putting them in the storage pocket. I also got the huggable Xmas trees with the ornaments on sale last year, and got them for all 4 of the grandkids. I'll get them a set of this years ornaments after Xmas.

Also www.pocketsoflearning.com

has some nice soft kid friendly calendars. Check under holiday.

They also will replace any part that is lost for free.

[Bens Momma]

We have the one from Pockets of Learning. I would give it 2 thumbs up. It is adorable! Haven't had a chance to use it as it was a gift from Grandma in the fall. The quality seems good and it's great that they'll replace pieces. Hope you find one you like, it's a great family activity to "countdown" to Christmas and the kids really look forward to doing it each day!

Ben & Will's Momma

[LBW]

I went with the Costco one. I think it's a great deal. Now I just need to stock up on little goodies to fit in the boxes.

[floridamommy]

I saw about 4 or 5 different ones at Jo-Ann fabrics yesterday in teh Christmas decoration section. None of them are on the website (I only saw kits on the website). In store they have a sale this week on many Christmas items for 50% off...so they were originally $19.99...making them about $10.00. They were the kind that had pockets for each day and then one primary "ornament" attached to a string or ribbon that you moved from pocket to pocket each day (or you could remove that and just put in small candy canes, etc). Not sure of quality, but at $10.00 I figure it may get me through this season while I hope that the Pottery Barn one eventually goes on sale for me to buy for the long haul.

[Jen841]

It was white cubbies with nothing on it (if my memory serves me correct.) I loved that you could fill it with whatever you want. Thanks!

[casey118]

I bought the nativity scene from this site last year:

http://www.cdkenterprises.com/pol/Advent-Calendars.shtml

It is cute and pretty good quality. It isn't very big- check the dimensions, because I found a lot of were smaller than I would have expected.

My DS loved it last year. Now with two kids I think I will have to alternate even and odd days as to who gets to put on the ornament.

[sgmango]

I would be interested in finding one like this too - it looks like this http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/209300068_9cd64e332a.jpg