# Any Advent Calendars that are actually worth it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 30, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513 "2022-09-30T16:24:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/21 "2022-09-30T21:39:52Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > @Dr.Strangelove - [the image on the right](https://www.google.com/search?q=+%22traditional+advent+calendar%22&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiao8uiu736AhU3nGoFHanEDBUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=+%22traditional+advent+calendar%22&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIGCAAQHhAHMgQIABAeMgQIABAYOggIABAeEAcQBToICAAQHhAIEAdQAFjFDGDBHWgAcAB4AIAB6wGIAfMNkgEGMC4xMS4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=-183Y9q5HLe4qtsPqYmzqAE&safe=images&hl=en#imgrc=R5ALen-DEYIj6M) is fairly typical of what I think of when I think “advent calendar.” That’s the kind of advent calendar I had as a kid. It was only as an adult that I became aware of the chocolate ones. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/22 "2022-09-30T21:42:04Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > @Dr.Strangelove - [the image on the right](https://www.google.com/search?q=+%22traditional+advent+calendar%22&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiao8uiu736AhU3nGoFHanEDBUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=+%22traditional+advent+calendar%22&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIGCAAQHhAHMgQIABAeMgQIABAYOggIABAeEAcQBToICAAQHhAIEAdQAFjFDGDBHWgAcAB4AIAB6wGIAfMNkgEGMC4xMS4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=-183Y9q5HLe4qtsPqYmzqAE&safe=images&hl=en#imgrc=R5ALen-DEYIj6M) is fairly typical of what I think of when I think “advent calendar.” That’s pretty much how the chocolate ones look. But it’s a cardboard box, maybe half an inch deep, and has a plastic tray on the inside. The plastic tray has depressions behind each flap that contains a small holiday-themed chocolate. The backside of each flap sometimes has part of a song/poem/verse/etc. A completely typical example: [https://www.amazon.com/Gather-Chocolate-Calendar-Countdown-Christmas/dp/B084T8NH8R](https://www.amazon.com/Gather-Chocolate-Calendar-Countdown-Christmas/dp/B084T8NH8R) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/23 "2022-09-30T21:45:08Z")
I doubt any commercial one is going to have decent surprises. So why not instead buy a couple of high-quality empty ones, fill each and swap with your spouse/friend/sibling/etc? Given that you know the person, you have some idea of what they would like. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/24 "2022-09-30T22:12:51Z")
_“I got a Candy-Corn”_ _“They can’t all be winners, Kid!”_ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/25 "2022-09-30T22:17:19Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > I could see making a box of chocolates into an advent calendar, but … wine? Is there a coupon in each compartment or something? They don’t use full bottles, just the little airplane-sized bottles. [https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2282/0893/products/IGT\_Advent\_2022-3.png?v=1662140858](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2282/0893/products/IGT_Advent_2022-3.png?v=1662140858) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/26 "2022-09-30T22:27:20Z")
Googling around a bit, the first printed advent calendars were made in Germany, starting around 1900, by Gerhard Lang. Paper shortages during WWII (and, apparently, a Nazi ban on making calendars with pictures on them?) forced him out of business, but the concept was revitalized post-war by Richard Sellmer. They became popular in the US after the press published pictures of Eisenhower gave them to his grandkids. Up to this point, they were all the printed kind _CairoCarol_ is familiar with, but the chocolate ones started showing up in the 1950s. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/27 "2022-09-30T22:30:50Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > They don’t use full bottles, just the little airplane-sized bottles. So the best strategy would be to line them up on the counter, adding one each day, then drink them all on Christmas Eve! (Well, maybe not ALL. Save some for New Year’s.) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/28 "2022-10-01T01:17:40Z")
I think one of my FBFs (whom I know from, ironically, my old church) got this a year or two ago. He really enjoyed that nightcap. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/29 "2022-10-01T01:21:18Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Not chocolate (or even edible), but LEGO makes several Advent calendars, including a Star Wars one. If bought these for my adult kids for years. Buy early, since they tend to run out. I got my wife one with chocolate last year, but good chocolate. Yeah, the ones you can buy for $10 are crap, but you can find much better quality one from big chocolate makers. And an egreeting card company had a digital one last year, where each day was a Christmas in London scene. Plus games. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/30 "2022-10-01T07:55:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So why not instead buy a couple of high-quality empty ones, fill each and swap with your spouse/friend/sibling/etc? My coworker does this with her partner. She was really excited last year as she has gotten some special chocolates to include in the Advent calendar. [This](https://www.amazon.com/D-FantiX-Christmas-Calendars-Countdown-Decorations/dp/B07VCHB4CM/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=advent+calendar+to+fill&qid=1664610860&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI2LjQ0IiwicXNhIjoiNi4xNyIsInFzcCI6IjUuNjMifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-15) is not hers, but she has something similar. The other advantage of doing one’s own, is that you can mix it up. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/31 "2022-10-01T14:48:24Z")
By the way, I would _not_ recommend the advent calendar put out by the [Whizzo Chocolate Company](https://montypython.fandom.com/wiki/Crunchy_Frog). ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/32 "2022-10-01T14:52:10Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > They don’t use full bottles, just the little airplane-sized bottles. Although the beer one I bought a few years back had large (20 oz?) cans. We also received a wine one that same year. We don’t drink all that much so these both lasted into the new year. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/33 "2022-10-01T15:11:25Z")
Most of December. It is a nice countdown to Christmas thing, and has become secular. In most western churches advent is four sundays before Christmas. So it doesn’t always start on the first of December. This year that would be 27th of November. Interestingly in 2024 it will be dec. 1. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/34 "2022-10-01T19:20:05Z")
This is my favorite Advent calendar: > **[Treat Yourself With Our Beauty Holiday Calendar 2022 | Liberty](https://www.libertylondon.com/us/features/beauty/beauty-advent-calendar.html)** > > The iconic Liberty Holiday Advent Calendar 2022 is now on sale. Stay tuned to discover what surprises are in store for this year's countdown... ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/35 "2022-10-01T19:51:12Z")
I love this carousel Advent calendar: [24 Tastes of a Candy Carousel Advent Calendar (sugarfina.com)](https://www.sugarfina.com/advent-carousel) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/36 "2022-10-01T20:15:48Z")
At the store today, I saw a Dungeons & Dragons “Countdown” (Advent) calendar: > **[Dungeons & Dragons: The Official Countdown Gift Calendar - by Insight...](https://www.target.com/p/dungeons-dragons-the-official-countdown-gift-calendar-by-insight-editions-hardcover/-/A-86777324?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012510700&CPNG=PLA_Entertainment%2BShopping%7CEntertainment_Ecomm_Hardlines&adgroup=SC_Entertainment&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9021660&targetid=pla-308131048976&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyt-ZBhCNARIsAKH1174JO6BeXLcmc17GFG0KRH_Sgl1V9fqMxj-vHSCsffgO5tBSnpa0lLYaApT0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)** > > Read reviews and buy Dungeons & Dragons: The Official Countdown Gift Calendar - by Insight Editions (Hardcover) at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/37 "2022-10-01T20:32:27Z")
Thanks! I have a friend that just started playing, and she’ll love it! ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/38 "2022-10-01T20:33:27Z")
Try web searches for “weird”, “unusual”, “alternate” advent calendars. Now I wonder how many “Hot Wheels” advent calendars are never opened, just stored away by collectors. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/39 "2022-10-03T20:50:55Z")
This is a great suggestion and something I’d also been considering after seeing some of the wooden Advent Calendars that have little drawers… Now, which of my friends is most likely to put in the effort for something they probably don’t care about as much as I do? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513/40 "2022-10-03T20:51:54Z")
This is really cute! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advent-calendars-that-are-actually-worth-it/972513.md?page=3)