Advent Calendar Filler Ideas For Everyone In Your Family
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Putting Advent calendars together for everyone in the family to enjoy is one of my favourite Christmas traditions.
For the past several years, as our family has grown, I’ve stumbled across many unique and cool advent calendars, Scotch Whisky 25 Day Advent Calendar anyone, along with plenty of awesome homemade ones.
But yikes! I’ve just spent two hours searching for Advent Calendar filler ideas and all I kept coming up with is chocolate, candy, and oranges!
I know it should be easy to think of creative gifts or tiny gifts to use as fillers for each calendar day, but I’m in a rush to get these finished before the start of Advent on Sunday November 28.
I’ve put together a list of the best Advent calendar filler ideas I could think of or found so if you’re short on time and want to get started making the calendars yourself or just need to finish a 1000 things on your to-do list, then this is the list for you.
Looking for Advent Calendar Theme ideas for doing yourself – check out these suggestions.
How many days are there in Advent?
Advent is generally 24 – 25 days long depending on whether you like to include December 25, Christmas Day as the end of your Advent; although, traditionally Advent ends on the same day each year, December 24, Christmas Eve.
Depending on the type of Advent Calendar you like to create, you will need 24 – 25 small, medium or large trinkets and gifts to open each morning as you gradually build up anticipation for Christmas Day. If you don’t want to break the bank, or wrap a multitude of gifts, you’ll likely need fillers to add to your advent calendar so at least there is something to ‘open’ or experience every morning.
Of course chocolates and oranges are common, but what other ideas are there for Advent calendar fillers?
What can I fill my Advent calendar with?
Everyone loves candy and chocolate, but you’re here because you want to spice it up a bit or up the ante for your Advent gift. Some fillers you may already have lying around the house, whereas others can easily be made using a little creativity.
Advent calendars can be filled with a number of things, such as:
- Experiences
- Activities
- Challenges
- Prayers
- Quotes
- Clues
- Directions
- Acts of kindness
- Sustainable items
- Different items from the same category i.e. a variety of specialty teas
- The same item on different days i.e. hand warmers because winter is long, or golf balls (all golfers know you can never have enough!)
Advent Calendar Fillers for Baby
You may think a baby is too young for an Advent calendar, and obviously they are too young to understand the purpose of one. That being said, the act of discovery, tactual development, and experience listening to you explain the process and bonding with them each day as you explore their calendar are gifts in and of themselves.
And if you’re a busy mom (is there any other kind?), the daily ritual of opening the Advent calendar can be worked into your routine quite easily. I personally loved introducing new tactile items to our baby and seeing how they interacted with them.
Note: It goes without saying, but safety and supervision should be considered when choosing a gift and the type of wrapping or presentation. You know your child best and should choose age-appropriate items that don’t pose as choking hazards or are harmful in any way. Check the labels.
- Rattles
- Black and White Montessori books
- Little People figures
- Cloth teether
- Temperature changing spoons
- Organic bubble bath
- Stacking rings
- Teether to clip onto shirt
- Shaker egg or stick
- Finger paint
- Mirror – compact one
- Diaper Genie travel bags to clip onto diaper bag
- Anything with tags
- Toothbrush
- Sophie Rubber teether
- Scarves in a box
- Ball with texture/ Textured ball set
- Hair bows
- Bib with teether
- Puffs
- Honest Company Bubble bath
- Bath toys
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Toddlers
Toddlers are the most enjoyable little people during the holidays because everything is so new and their exploratory nature is priceless to watch (but also very exhausting!).
We introduced an Advent calendar to our child at 2 years old because they were starting to understand the concept of gifts, Santa, giving, receiving, and we were trying to teach patience, which the Advent calendar did help reinforce.
The wonderful thing with babies and toddlers is that they learn through repetition. Therefore, don’t feel like you need to reinvent the wheel everyday because your kiddo will be happy to receive a similar item from the same category. For example, you could purchase magnetic alphabet letters and give them a new letter throughout the Advent period and they would be thrilled.
I did find that the less gifts we had on display was the better option for everyone. Seeing everything all at once or having the little drawers at toddler level was just too enticing for them to rip into, so we hid the calendar during the day and only brought it out to explore that day’s gift.
Similar to babies, safety and supervision is important when presenting your toddler with their Advent calendar gifts and activities in order to avoid choking, or anything harmful to them. Check labels.
- Magnetic alphabet letters
- Labels from Oliver’s labels (for mom)
- Dinosaur figures
- Peppa Pig anything
- Cocomelon or toy of their favourite character!
- Finger paint
- Playdoh
- Paper snowflakes
- Training toothpaste by Orajel (Paraban and fluoride free)
- Markers
- Stickers, Stickers, Stickers!
- Baby Shark / Paw Patrol soap
- Bath crayon
- Rubber duck
- Cute socks
- Annual ornament (give one every year on Christmas Eve so they have their own collection when they move out)
- Hair elastics
- Finger puppets
- Fruit teether
- A sweet treat
- Fabric sample (texture based)
- Felt stickers to build a craft
- Toy car
- Bubbles
- Balloon (blown up)
- Mitts
- New cup or plate or bowl
- An empty box or container they can climb in or use to play with water
- Sensory bags
- Little board books (Sesame Street has a great collection)
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Kids
The possibilities for toys, trinkets, and treats for kids is endless at this age.
The language skills to communicate and understand more complex items and ideas is far beyond the toddler years, and of course their interests and personalities are developing daily. It’s a fun age to introduce different gifts that are more abstract or introspective, for example: quotes, challenges, acts of kindness, or puzzles.
- Snow paint
- Crayons or pencil crayons
- Pencil topper
- Ruler
- Pencil grip – especially sensory ones
- Sharpeners
- Notebook
- Glow sticks
- Melting snowman
- Chalk
- Novelty game or puzzle
- Coin purse
- Pencil case or carrying case
- Desk pets (i.e. small erasers in little containers)
- Craft kit – felt, ornament, make your own
- Socks with cool designs
- Gingerbread House for them to make or for the two of you to do together
- Love note or inspiring message from mom and dad
- Book
- Night light
- Keychain
- Mood ring or fun ring
- Pet rock
- Headband or tiara
- Hair ties or hair clips
- Their own hairbrush that’s big enough for little hands
- Personalized Christmas ornament
- Toothbrush
- Mitts
- Winter hat
- Flashlight that projects the moon
- A special treat like an activity or food they don’t get often
- Stickers
- Cookie cutters
- Yo-yo
- Wind up toy
- Water squirt gun
- Bouncy ball
- Coil spring or Slinky
- Hacky sack
- Slime or putty
- Weighted stuffed animal
- Paint brush
- Bubble bath
- Animal toys like dinosaurs, jungle animals, deep sea etc
- Bath toy
- Mochi Squishy
- Littlest Pet Shop Toys
- Hatchimal Colleggtibles or Rainbocorns
- A day at the pool
- Game credits
- Jungle Gym pass
- A restaurant experience of their choice
- Act of kindness challenge
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Tweens and Teenagers
An age of identity and growth – what they want one day is the opposite of what they like the next.
That being said, tweens and teens are super fun to buy for because they like novelty, trends, and self expression.
- Nail polish
- Nail file
- Personalized tumbler
- Hair accessories
- Scrunchies
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Hair products
- Mini hair brush
- Face mask for different skin types
- Organic and sustainable Makeup cleansing cloths
- 4 Pack of shower puffs for all the kiddos
- Deodorant or body spray
- Lip gloss
- Makeup products
- Face glitter
- Body scrub
- Temporary tattoos
- Eyebrow wax
- Hair blowout
- Cell phone strap
- Super cool pins
- Candy earrings
- Silk pillowcase (great for acne prone skin)
- Pay It Forward ideas / Act of Kindness
- Inspirational quote or advice from mom and dad
- Twine and glitter lights for hanging pictures or decorating room
- An ornament representing their interests or favourite things
- 90s nostalgia – accessories (butterfly clips), jewelry, bags
- anime waterproof stickers for phones, water bottles, or laptop stickers
- Credits for games and apps
- Fun socks – good luck sock
- Funko pocket pops
- Fabric markers that come in 28 different colors so you could give 1-2 per day
- Stencils
- Paint brushes
- Airbrush
- Sneaker paint
- Winter hat
- Neck warmers that look cool
- Gloves (the ones that allow for texting)
- Leggings
- Initial keychain
- Lanyard
- Harry Potter Uno Game – awesome for when you’re stuck inside on a cold day
- Decorative door stopper
- Cool hooks for their room
- Sunglasses
- Gift card to Aeropostale, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Freepeople
- Stickers that have hella vibes
- Lululemon headband
- Cupcake lip gloss
Locker magnets - Necklace or bracelet with their initial
- Floss
- Hot Chocolate
- Waist pouch or fanny pack
- Gum and breath mints
- Tissue/ Kleenex
- Mini hand sanitizers
- Hand lotion
- A day giving back
- A day with just you and them
- Having a competition or challenge – do something each day that is fun
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Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Wife
Wives are super easy to find gifts for – just give them a few hours of free time, something luxurious and appreciation.
- Luxury face mask
- Holiday face mask kit
- Lip gloss
- Mini hand sanitizer
- Bath bombs from lush
- Body scrub
- Moisturizer gloves
- Luxurious hand lotion
- Vitamin D oil La Roche Posay
- Wallet
- Coach perfume
- Beverage tumbler
- Milk frother
- Monogrammed mug
- Lash fillers
- Silk pillowcase
- Calming sleep spray
- Eye mask
- Tile
- Hot Chocolate
- Wine pairing chocolate bars
- Weekly planner stickers
- Scrunchies
- Yoga socks
- Core disc
- Yoga class
- A day away
- Sleep In time
- Leg warmers
- Nail polish that’s sparkly for the holidays
- Car wash
- Christmas ornament that plays music
- Picture frame
- Gel markers
- Copic pens
- Gold and metallic pens
- Latte
- Candles
- Essential oils
- Pet leash and collar
- Sage room spray
- Workout bands
- Roller ball
- Pilates ring
- A book
- Washi tape
- Bath and body works soap
- Unique Christmas ornament
- Home decor for mantle
- phone ring holder kickstand
- Gift cards
- Resistance bands – I love how thick these are and they didn’t slip. They are tough but definitely high quality
- Tea varieties
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Apple or Android Store Credits
- Makeup removing pads they even come in a mesh bag so you won’t lose them
- Beauty blender
- Apron
- Fun Santa/ Christmas hat
- Specialty coffee
- Mini wine bottle or can
- Headband
- Pom pom hat
- Wine topper
- Gel ink pens
- Mug cozy
- Crochet hook
- Mira Handcrafts Acrylic Yarn (has the most colors)
- Reusable tote bag or carry all
Ideas for Men’s Advent Calendar Fillers
Husbands and men are super easy to find gifts for – just give them a few hours of free time, something luxurious and appreciation.
- Fun socks
- Back scratcher
- Shoe and sneaker maintenance and cleaning kit
- Wood bracelet
- Cards or dice
- Loofah
- Frappuccino
- Body wash
- Scarf
- Golf balls
- Tennis balls
- Golf head cover
- Golf tees
- Dirt bike gloves
- Razers
- Hot pocket hand warmers
- Safety glasses
- Bug spray
- Face moisturizer
- Hand cream – the strong kind
- Multi tool
- Workout gloves
- Apple or Android Store Credits
- Tile to find lost cellphone, purse, keys
- Nuts
- Fudge
- Craft beer
- Cocktail bitters
- Piece of meat! Keep in fridge or freezer until ready or leave a note for them
- BBQ rub
- Fish hook
- Waterproof matches
- Headlamp
- Air freshener
- Popcorn
- Laptop humidifier
- Tire pressure gauge
- Lip balm
- Fitbit
- Nail clippers
- Lighter
- Massage ball
- Belt
- Pet treat launcher
- Hat for favourite team
- Gloves
- Tissue
- Car Wash
- Phone Case
- Sports ornament
- Beard oil
- Skin cream for dry skin
- Lip balm-
- Desk cord organizer
- Bike lights
- Lovely notes and sayings from you
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Adults
General gifts for young and old adults that will not disappoint.
- Spices
- Plant Mister in gorgeous vintage blue
- Succulents
- SD card for the photographer
- Keyboard cover in super cute colors or neutrals
- Web cam slider that come in marble and granite designs
- Jams and Honey (those adorable kinds you get in hotels!)
- Sriracha to go
- Mini candles from Bath and Body works
- Pins
- keyboard cover (protects from dust and spills and wearing out)
- Emergency car accessories
- Seeds for garden
- Glove for
- blessing rocks
- Earbud case
- Jade roller for face
- Friends <insert>
- Star Wars socks (I give a few each day and then the rest in a stocking)
- selfie ring light
- Portable charger
- Cord organizer
- Tall White Chocolate Peppermint Latte
- A really good inky pen – you know the kind. One that is smooth and signs well.
- A great book
- Car accessories
- Playing cards
- Specialty coffee
- Craft supplies
- Scarf
- Keychain with their initial
- air vent phone mount
- Cup holders that light up LED
- High powered flash light
- Notebooks
- Gourmet gummy candy
- Essential oils
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