Advent calendars

[Tired]

I never saw or had one in my life, and I want to make one for my SO for the New Year (so I need like 31 present and to make and/or buy them in less than a week).
Wanted to ask did anyone ever make an advent calendar yourself, do you like them at all, and would you be more interested in getting physical small items (nothing special, just something cute and cheap) or instead some small notes saying about what happened to me and SO in this 1 year, wishes for the next year and some small drawings. I think notes and drawings are more interesting, but it will also take more time to prepare, and because I live with my SO now I have less time when he doesn't see what I'm doing, so I can't be very secretive.
Just brainstorming ideas atm and how to make it all look, and how much will it all cost...

 

[Outdated]

I never saw or had one in my life....

I saw one in a shop about 20 years ago, I had to ask what it was, I had no idea.

 

[Grondhammar]

I never saw or had one in my life, and I want to make one for my SO for the New Year (so I need like 31 present and to make and/or buy them in less than a week).
Wanted to ask did anyone ever make an advent calendar yourself, do you like them at all, and would you be more interested in getting physical small items (nothing special, just something cute and cheap) or instead some small notes saying about what happened to me and SO in this 1 year, wishes for the next year and some small drawings. I think notes and drawings are more interesting, but it will also take more time to prepare, and because I live with my SO now I have less time when he doesn't see what I'm doing, so I can't be very secretive.
Just brainstorming ideas atm and how to make it all look, and how much will it all cost...

We either buy or make one every year, Swedish thing maybe. Anyway, is your SO an autist?

There's a term, pebbling, used for the thoughtful but tiny gifts autistics give to people dear to them. These can be anything - a pretty rock, a little flower, a little note, an eraser, washi tape... I could go on and on. Anyway, I *love* Advent calendars due to this. I suck at giving at expected times. But some random thing that makes me think of a dear person... That I can do!

Anyway, if they are, then just the fact you're giving little thought-filled things is enough. I think memory-notes is a really wonderful idea, personally.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I buy an Advent calendar every year. A little piece of chocolate every day of December til Christmas. It's a special tradition. I never had an advent calendar as a child so I have always made sure my daughter had one. Even though she's grown now.

Here's one from Walmart, under $3. This is what I ordered, and it'll be shipped to my house.

RL Albert & Son Santa Christmas Advent Calendar, 1 Calendar with 24 Pieces - Walmart.com

 

[Rodafina]

would you be more interested in getting physical small items (nothing special, just something cute and cheap) or instead some small notes saying about what happened to me and SO in this 1 year, wishes for the next year and some small drawings.

How about a combination of both? That way you can still have the sweet little sentimental things, but alleviate some of the enormous effort with little trinkets/sweet treats.

I watched a family member make an advent calendar for their children and it was precious, but a huge effort. I think the effort itself is a great gift and demonstration of love and care.

 

[Angular Chap]

When I was a wee lad, my parents got me an amazing advent calendar that was a cardboard chimney with little boxes that slotted in like bricks. The whole idea was to put your own small gifts in each box. They alternated between chocolate one day and a small gift the next, it was the greatest thing I’d ever seen.

 

[Tired]

Thanks everyone, I will probably do the mix of both presents and small notes, because I am not sure I can afford that many presents, however small. Will probably just pack them all in those colorful papers, mark numbers on them and just arrange in a box. If I don't forget I'll send a photo of it later

 

[Grondhammar]

If I don't forget I'll send a photo of it later

Yes please! Would love to see.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I've never made one, but I have bought COSTCO's Wine Adventure box with small bottles of some pretty nice wines for every day of Advent.

 

[Tired]

I got all the things I wanted. Alas packing takes much more time and skill than I thought it would, but it's a nice challenge. Most my stuff isnt in a box, and I dont want to spend money on buying boxes as well, so learning to pack things without that. So far it looks goofy but I like it!

 

[Tired]

Need to wrap 2 more items, and then draw and write notes and create envelopes for them or just buy them. I can already see that the items won't fit in the box i bought... they will fit, but i cant close the box. Well, it is what it is.
The hardest part is done, I learned some tricks in packing and next time i actually sit down to pack stuff i will be oh so much more ready, specifically i will be happy about using two-sided Adhesive tape to hide the seams better, this time i didnt have time and materials...
I also can't remember what i packed where, and some of them i packed upside-down, or the wrap is upside down... but hey, i worked with what knowledge i had, and i do hurry a lot, because 1 December is right behind the corner and i'm still not ready.

i am specifically happy about learning how to pack stuff in what looks like a candy, it's also so easy to do it.

And of course will need to put stickers with drawn numbers on all these.