Help me fill my advent calendar!
November 8, 2015 10:56 AM Subscribe
We have this Byer's Choice wooden advent calendar. What very small items could I buy or make that would fit in something like this?
The wooden advent calendar's empty little compartments are around 2"x2"x2" or so. The whole thing is 4 x 18.5 x 15 inches. I'm searching for new ideas for what to put inside. Past successful items have included puzzle pieces, candy/chocolate of course, and little figurines and toys. This is for both elementary-school age kids and also big kids (aka, adults), and I have an advent-swap arrangement going with another friend who has the same style advent calendar. In a way, I'm probably looking for ideas for tiny stocking stuffers. Smaller the better (as in 1-inch square or so).
The wooden advent calendar's empty little compartments are around 2"x2"x2" or so. The whole thing is 4 x 18.5 x 15 inches. I'm searching for new ideas for what to put inside. Past successful items have included puzzle pieces, candy/chocolate of course, and little figurines and toys. This is for both elementary-school age kids and also big kids (aka, adults), and I have an advent-swap arrangement going with another friend who has the same style advent calendar. In a way, I'm probably looking for ideas for tiny stocking stuffers. Smaller the better (as in 1-inch square or so).
temporary tattoos, origami animals, ink stamps, tiny art prints, fancy stickers. For adult women, small-sized makeup/perfume/nail polish.
Lots of ideas at this old post and this one. I particularly liked the idea of using small, cheap USB drives containing music mixes or photographs.
It's unclear to me from your post whether the adults and kids have different advent calendars, or whether each compartment is supposed to contain stuff for both adults and kids.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 11:58 AM on November 8, 2015
Lots of ideas at this old post and this one. I particularly liked the idea of using small, cheap USB drives containing music mixes or photographs.
It's unclear to me from your post whether the adults and kids have different advent calendars, or whether each compartment is supposed to contain stuff for both adults and kids.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 11:58 AM on November 8, 2015
Well, it depends who's receiving the gift of course but here are the small things that came to mind: Hair elastics, lip gloss, nail polish, those small containers of silly putty or play doh, googly eye magnets (fun!), silly erasers, unique dice, earrings, key chains, teabags/loose tea samples in tins, sewing things (buttons, rolled up zippers, thread/bobbins), Lego/knex, tiny technology (usb key, memory card, little flashlights), stickers, rolled up money/coins, Hershey kisses, stamps, a tiny deck of cards.
Small things are the best! Advent calendars too! You rock.
posted by eisforcool at 11:58 AM on November 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Small things are the best! Advent calendars too! You rock.
posted by eisforcool at 11:58 AM on November 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have Christmas ornaments in mine. Every day my daughter takes one out and puts it on the tree. Santa is on the 24th.
I know the year I bought the ornaments it was a ton of googling to find enough interesting small ornaments. It's a one time thing, I'm happy I did it. It's zero effort and cost to fill the calendar now.
posted by crazycanuck at 12:13 PM on November 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
I know the year I bought the ornaments it was a ton of googling to find enough interesting small ornaments. It's a one time thing, I'm happy I did it. It's zero effort and cost to fill the calendar now.
posted by crazycanuck at 12:13 PM on November 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
The Body Shop makes nice lip butters/balms in small round containers, which work for adults or girls.
Ring brooch.
Small cat pin.
posted by gudrun at 12:17 PM on November 8, 2015
Ring brooch.
Small cat pin.
posted by gudrun at 12:17 PM on November 8, 2015
Fill one with stick on googly eyes, it's fun to anthropomorphise food containers, office supplies etc.
Etsy has lots of temporary tattoo vendors, they will even make personalized tatoos for you.
Go to a Metaphysical store and browse the little trinkets they have.
5 tiny dice so you can play yahzee
They make itty bitty decks of cards.
Tiny folding knife
Tiny sqeeze flashlights
Tiny tarot card deck, there is even one on a keychain.
There are lots of tiny games on keycains that may be small enough.
I'm on my phone so can't link. There is a keychain Twister game that cracks me up, I don't know if It's small enough though.
posted by BoscosMom at 1:18 PM on November 8, 2015
Etsy has lots of temporary tattoo vendors, they will even make personalized tatoos for you.
Go to a Metaphysical store and browse the little trinkets they have.
5 tiny dice so you can play yahzee
They make itty bitty decks of cards.
Tiny folding knife
Tiny sqeeze flashlights
Tiny tarot card deck, there is even one on a keychain.
There are lots of tiny games on keycains that may be small enough.
I'm on my phone so can't link. There is a keychain Twister game that cracks me up, I don't know if It's small enough though.
posted by BoscosMom at 1:18 PM on November 8, 2015
Multi-sided dice
Pretty marbles
Buy wholesale cubic zirconium or synthetic gems from Pehnec. (I've suggested this a couple of other times, but I stick by the recommendation; there's something extremely satisfying about playing with what looks like diamonds (or is actually a ruby or sapphire))
Glow in the dark stars to stick on the ceiling.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:10 PM on November 8, 2015
Pretty marbles
Buy wholesale cubic zirconium or synthetic gems from Pehnec. (I've suggested this a couple of other times, but I stick by the recommendation; there's something extremely satisfying about playing with what looks like diamonds (or is actually a ruby or sapphire))
Glow in the dark stars to stick on the ceiling.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:10 PM on November 8, 2015
Stickers, cute erasers or paper clips, key rings, mini notes, and worry dolls. (Squee!)
Necklace or bracelet charms, friendship bracelets. Jingle bells.
posted by jrobin276 at 2:15 PM on November 8, 2015
Necklace or bracelet charms, friendship bracelets. Jingle bells.
posted by jrobin276 at 2:15 PM on November 8, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you for these suggestions! Can't wait to try out googley eyes, loose gems and neat rocks, stuff on etsy (how did I forget etsy?), glow in the dark stars, and also find that mini-twister game. Will also try to find mini-ornaments. There are two calendars, one is for adults+kids the other household is grown-ups only. Love the idea of having something that shows up in the advent calendar each year, but will keep mostly having new surprises since it's so much fun.
posted by belau at 4:52 AM on November 9, 2015
posted by belau at 4:52 AM on November 9, 2015
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Little stamps (rubber or paper)?
Unblown-up balloons, of various shapes and colors?
Hair ties and barrettes and clips?
Plastic or metal rings?
Erasers? Whistles? Tiny tops?
posted by umwhat at 11:57 AM on November 8, 2015