I am so done with candy. I feel like from Halloween to Easter, it’s a non-stop barrage of candy and junk food. But my son has already asked me if we’re getting “one of those things where you open the doors until Christmas.” So I’m on the hook for an advent calendar.
And probably last minute Elf on the Shelf ideas. But that’s another story. I have an Advent Calendar that we’ve used for almost 20 years. It’s wooden with 24 little drawers. For the years that I purchased an advent calendar online, I usually took the little things out and put them in the drawers.
Advent calendars are a wonderful family tradition. Particularly if you have a visual learner in your home. Or, a child that struggles with some executive functioning issues like understanding concepts of time.
There’s a little something for everyone in here.
Advent Calendars for Teenagers
The best advice I have is this. If you cannot find a pre-packaged out of the box advent calendar for your teenager, then I highly recommend making one. I don’t mean make the whole thing!
But come up with 24 different small gifts for your teenager. If 24 seems too much, do the 12 days of Christmas instead and only buy half as much.
You can find great stuff to fill it with just about anywhere. Think about trial sized cosmetics, the little bins of stuff at Ulta, Target Dollar Spot and Dollar Tree. Candy, sports cards, socks, hair accessories, nail polish…so many options.
And hey, stick with me here–but you know how our kids used to make up those coupons for us for Mothers Day and stuff? “Good for one hug” and all that?
Give them coupons! No, not corny stuff like hugs. Teenagers are too cool for that. Make it for a free chore such as the dishes or taking out the trash. A ‘get out of jail free’ card for the next time they get in trouble. Coupons to pick the meals for dinner if they don’t usually get to. You get it–what would be a real treat for your teen or tween?
Staying up late? An app? A music download? In-game purchases that they make on Xbox and stuff? There are lots of possibilities.
Here are some wooden advent calendars below for you to use. You can purchase them once and use year after year.
- Count Down to Christmas in Style – This pre-assembled 11-inch Christmas Advent Calendar Shadow Box is the perfect way to get into the holiday…
- Personalize to Perfection – The unfinished wood surface is ready for you to decorate and personalize however you like. Use paint, markers, stain,…
- Christmas Countdown Calendar: This gift box has 24 small grids, each grid can be filled with your carefully selected gifts, so that your children…
- Christmas Advent Gift Box: This gift box can not only be used to decorate your home, but also increase the intimacy between you and your children…
- Value Pack: Incl. 10 sets of 24-Cavity christmas advent calendar boxes with blister Pocket Box. We offer a total of 20pcs totally of 10 boxes +…
- Exquisite Size: Countdown calendar,Box measures 12″ x 8″ x 1.2″ and each cavity measures 1.7″ x 1.7″ x 1.2″ / 31cm x 21 x 4 cm. Beautiful,…
Best Teen Advent Calendars
If you get a new countdown every year, then you definitely want to stay with the latest trends.
Still hot this year:
- Harry Potter Advent Calendar
- Nintendo Advent Calendar
- Fortnite
- Marvel
Here are 20 creative ideas for an advent calendar for teens that blend fun, relaxation, and a bit of excitement to keep them engaged throughout the holiday countdown:
- Daily Self-Care Challenges: Each day could contain a new activity focused on self-care like a face mask, a new bath bomb, or a relaxing Spotify playlist.
- Mini Candies or Snacks: Classic, but always a winnerโsmall chocolates or their favorite candy each day.
- Trivia Questions: Put a trivia question in each box and give them points. At the end of the advent calendar, they can cash in their points for a bigger prize.
- Gift Cards: Include small denomination gift cards for coffee shops, smoothie places, or online stores (even just $5 can be exciting).
- Inspirational Quotes: Include daily motivational or funny quotes printed out to add a bit of positive energy each morning.
- Beauty Products: Sample-sized lotions, lip balms, nail polishes, or bath salts.
- Memory Challenges: Ask them to recall a favorite memory from each year of their life, share a funny story, or write down what they are most thankful for.
- Movie Night Coupons: Include slips for choosing a movie for a family night or watching their favorite holiday movie with hot cocoa.
- Holiday Socks: Fun socks are always a hitโdifferent festive styles each week.
- Small Puzzle Pieces: Each day they get a piece of a bigger puzzle that comes together by the 24th.
- Mini Books or Journals: Include sections of a short story or chapters of a teen-friendly book that builds up over the advent days.
- Cute Stationery: Fun pens, washi tape, or sticky notes they can use for school.
- Recipes: Each day they receive a simple recipe or an ingredient to make a treat on Christmas Eve.
- Challenge Cards: Include simple challenges such as “no social media for an hour” or “try a new hobby today.” These can be quirky and help them think outside the box.
- Playlist Surprises: QR codes or links to daily holiday-themed playlists to keep the holiday spirit alive.
- Scratch-Off Cards: Make some DIY scratch-off cards that reveal rewards like โStay up an hour laterโ or โExtra screen time.โ
- Fidget Toys: If they still love tactile toys, include a small fidget spinner, stress ball, or other sensory item.
- Mini Ornaments: Let them decorate a small tree in their room by adding a new ornament each day until Christmas.
- Stickers or Pins: Include some aesthetic stickers for their laptop or pins for their backpack.
- DIY Craft Supplies: Small craft kits or supplies for a bigger project they can work on leading up to the holidays (e.g., beading supplies, embroidery thread for friendship bracelets).
These ideas can be easily customized to suit the interests and hobbies of your teen, making it a personalized and engaging countdown to Christmas!
Best Tween Advent Calendars
Tweens can be tricky. Sometimes they like kid stuff like Minions and LEGO, and sometimes not. If all else fails, ask them!
- CHRISTMAS FIDGET ADVENT CALENDAR 2024 – Counting down to Christmas can be a tough task, especially for little ones who can not wait to rip open…
- 24 DAYS COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS – These Christmas advent calendar toys help your kids get different surprises and happiness every day. Countdown…
- PERFECT GIFT: Beauty Blast is the ideal makeup gift for daughters, sisters, girlfriends, or anyone who loves high-quality beauty products and…
- BEAUTIFUL BEST: The selection contains the most loved and talked about products that are widely featured across social media every day. This…
- LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 โ Build highlights from the history of LEGO Star Wars sets in chronological order, from 1999 to 2024, with…
- 5 collectible LEGO Star Wars minifigures and 1 LEGO Star Wars figure โ Holiday Princess Leia, Holiday Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, 501st Clone…
- Fun-packed Christmas Advent calendar โ Build up the countdown to Christmas with the LEGO City Advent Calendar 2024 for kids ages 5 and up
- This countdown holiday gift set with 24 surprises โ Includes Santa and Mrs. Claus minifigures and miniature Christmas figures with sweaters, as…
- ADVENT CALENDAR 2024 GIFT FOR GIRLS-The Countdown Calendar have all kinds of great gifts๏ผThe makeup gift is including hair clip,Hair Comb,Hair…
- UNIQUE DESIGN FOR GIRLS -The Individual small boxes design, make sure your kids have unforgettable surprise.So they can harvest different joyful…
- ใStamp Themed Christmas Gift PuzzleใThis Christmas puzzle advent calendar includes a festive present box with 24 numbered small boxes and a…
- ใPremium Quality-No DustใOur Countdown calendar Christmas puzzle is made from recyclable, high-quality cardboard, ensuring durability and…
- Get yours now! Introducing the 24 Piece Pokรฉmon 2024 Holiday Advent Calendar for kids!
- Gotta Catch ‘Em All this Holiday season! Children can create and display their own Pokรฉmon scene! Make every day an exciting reveal as each…
- 12 Days of Christmas Surprises – Immerse in the festive spirit with our 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar. Each day unveils a new and…
- Perfect Holiday Gifts for Her – Our Advent Calendar is the ultimate holiday gifts for the special women in your life. Whether it’s for your wife,…
- 24 Days of Festive Exploration: The JAJ Advent Calendar 2024 lets children count down to Christmas by opening a unique surprise each day,…
- Engaging Educational, Fun Experiences: This Christmas vacation advent calendar 2024 includes 12 magic tricks, 6 science experiments, and 6…
- 24 of the NBA’s Top Superstars featuring EXCLUSIVE Winter Highlights!
- 24 of the MLB’s Top Superstars featuring EXCLUSIVE Winter Highlights!
- Perfect Holiday Gift Set: Look no further for a gift that anybody would be excited to receive! This Christmas bath gift is complete with an…
- Santa Gift For All: This beauty advent calendar is filled with beauty surprises that will be sure to help you prepare for all of your holiday…
Merry Christmas!
More Holiday Fun!
- 20 Awesome Teen Advent Calendars
- 8 Christmas Social Stories for Autistic Kids
- How to Get a Free Letter from Santa Claus by Mail
- 30 Thoughtful Gifts for Intellectually Disabled Adults That They’ll Actually Use and Love
- Holiday Survival Guide for Parents of Disabled Kids: 10 Tips for a Calm Season
- How to Have a Zero Waste Christmas
- 25 Gifts Autistic Teens and Adults Actually Want (No More Guesswork!)
- 25 Special Needs Elf on the Shelf Ideas (Autism, Wheelchair, Hospital)
- 35 Easy, Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas (with pictures)
- 25 Best Gifts that Autistic and Disabled Teenagers and Adults Actually Want
- Hanukkah Dreidel Game and Rules ๐ Activities, adapted for Special Needs
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