Advent Calendars

Playmobil

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the advent calendar. They come in all types, shapes and sizes. Some, such as the German ones, have doors with chocolates behind them. Some have instructions for activities for Christmas like the tree-shaped one from Family Fun. Some have toys (I love the Lego and Playmobil advent calendars, especially the Playmobil Woodland Santa Set.) Some are boxes, bags, or pockets that can be filled with small presents. Some have a marker that you move each day, like the one from the Disney Store. All help children pass the days while counting down to Christmas.

My favorite advent calendar has been a part of my family's Christmas traditions for as long as I can remember. Its a fabric panel with a house full of bears preparing for Christmas. At the bottom are instructions for moving a small stuffed bear as he seeks out Christmas. My Grandmother made the calendar many years ago. About 15 years ago, my mother, sister, and I embellished it with glittery snow and stars. My sister and I used to have the special job of moving the bear each morning. Every other day, it was my turn and I loved it! The only exception was December 20, my Mom's birthday. On that day, she got to move the bear. (I recently searched for this advent calendar on Ebay so that I could have one in my own home only to discover that they sell for $350 or more!)

A few years ago, Bean and I got to spend all of December with my Mom. It was the first year that she got to see the bear. She loved him just as much as I always did. She would race to the calendar every morning and wait for Grandma or I to read the instructions so she could move the bear. It was wonderful seeing how much she enjoyed this family tradition.

Disney

This year, we have a few advent calendars. I have a paper bakery full of bearded elves with winter animals and Christmas toys behind the doors. My sister has the corduroy wall hanging with Mickey and a present you move from day to day. And Bean has a set of pennant pockets full of little presents (at least she will have a full set if I ever get around to finishing them!), and a new Playmobil Santa's Post Office set.

These calendars are a wonderful part of the holiday season. No child should be without one!

Olaf's Frozen Adventure Advent Calendar

Every year, I look for a new advent calendar to help count down the days until Christmas. Last year, it was filled with Tsum Tsums. This year, I chose a calendar filled with figures from Olaf's Frozen Adventure.

There are 25 figures featuring Christmas traditions that Olaf discovers in the upcoming short film: a sleigh, gifts, a snowflake fountain, gingerbread castle, kitten, wreath, candy cane, yul bock, and Olaf in several different costumes. It looks adorable! I can't wait until December 1 rolls around and I can start opening doors.

Tsum Tsum Micro Advent Calendar

Disney has released the cutest Tsum Tsum plush advent calendar. The set, which includes 25 micro Tsums, features Mickey and his pals, Winnie the Pooh characters, Bambi and Thumper, Stitch and Angel, and at least one Dalmatian. All of the characters are dressed in something wintery or Christmassy. I especially like Pluto dressed as hot cocoa complete with marshmallow and Louie (Donald's nephew) on an innertube for sledding. The whole set is adorable, but at $125 in the parks or $100 from ShopDisney, its a bit expensive.

Tsum Tsum Advent Calendars

When it comes to advent calendars, every year brings more choices. From chocolates from Germany, to Legos from multiple series, to boxes you can fill yourself, the possibilities seem endless. This year, you can add Tsum Tsum advent calendars to the mix, and there are three different ones to choose from: two with the vinyl mini Tsum Tsums and one with the mini plush.

Disney

The first vinyl set is available from Walmart, Toys R Us, Amazon, Macys, and Costco. The gingerbread shaped house includes 18 Tsum Tsum Vinyl Minis: 6 large, 6 medium in Christmas finery, and 6 small, as well as 6 holiday accessories and 6 head pieces. 

Disney

Each accessory is stackable and can be used with any size figure. The head pieces fit the large Tsums and give them some holiday style. This set retails for  $39.99.

Disney

The second vinyl set is an exclusive of Target. The Christmas tree shaped box also includes 18 Tsum Tsum Vinyl Minis: 6 large, 6 medium in Christmas finery, and 6 small, as well as 6 holiday accessories and 6 head pieces, but different ones than the first set.

Disney

Each accessory is stackable and can be used with any size figure. The head pieces fit the large Tsums and give them some holiday style. This set retails for $39.99.

Disney

The final set is by far the most expensive. The Tsum Tsum plush advent calendar from the Disney Store includes 25 mini Tsum Tsums, including: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy,  Tigger, Tinkerbell, Baymax, Lady, Simba, Stitch, and many more. This large set retails for $139.95 and is available from DisneyStore.com.

Photo of the Week

Ivy is back, helping to countdown the days until Christmas. She made sure to put up my favorite DecemBear advent calendar to get us started.