The holiday season is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to kick off the Christmas countdown than with an Advent calendar filled with exciting surprises. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pre-made Advent calendar to buy or planning to fill your own, I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’m sharing my picks for some really cool Advent calendars of 2024 that you can purchase right now, plus creative and fun ideas for items you can fill your Advent calendar with—complete with easy links to shop. From kids’ favorites to treats adults will love, these calendars and fillers will make every day of December feel like Christmas morning.
Just a quick note before we jump into these advent calendar options: the links in my posts are affiliate links. This means if you click through and decide to purchase something I’ve recommended, I’ll receive a small commission. It’s a simple way to support the blog if you find something you like, and it helps me keep sharing all the festive joy with you.
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas
If you have your own advent calendar that you fill each year and you are looking for small gifts and trinkets to fill your days, I got you. These are all little gifts I have used in the past in our family advent calendar and they were a big hit.
These fill-in-the-blank Christmas stories are an absolute blast to include in your Advent calendar! Just tear one off and add it to one of the calendar days for a fun surprise. It’s a great way to mix things up—our family Advent calendar is all about combining little gifts with activities we can enjoy together, and these silly stories fit in perfectly. They always bring a lot of laughter and creativity to our countdown!
Socks and Christmas go together like hot cocoa and marshmallows, and these are the perfect additions to your Advent calendar! What I love about a pack like this is that you can spread the fun—either sharing them between multiple kids or stretching them out over several days. It’s a simple, cozy treat that everyone will love unwrapping!
CRA-Z Slimy Mini Mania Grocery Set
This set of 10 small scented slimes is a fantastic addition to your Advent calendar! You can break it up and use one slime a day for 10 days of fun. If you’ve got one child, this set alone covers 10-12 days (depending on other surprises), or you can spread the joy over a few days for multiple kids. It’s a playful and budget-friendly way to fill those Advent doors with excitement!
Jellie fruit is just a jello-like candy. These fruit-shaped jellied fruits are so fun and kids totally love them. I like that is candy but it’s fun to eat so it’s like a double surprise.
Why do kids love squishy things? The world may never know but you can fill your advent calendar with this army of mochi squishy toys. Or just use these for a couple of days and save the rest for next year’s advent calendar.
Their vinyl stickers, need I say more? I love that these are Christmas theme and can be added to bottles and tumblers to make them more festive.
Who doesn’t love a fun temporary tattoo? These ones are extra special—they’re Christmas-themed and shimmery, so it’s a double win! They’re a super fun, easy, and affordable little treat to pop into your Advent calendar, adding a touch of sparkle to the countdown
Kids love erasers, but not the ones that are all pieced together like a puzzle and fall apart as soon as you try and use them. These are a nice-sized ramen square and the packaging is so dang cute.
Advent Calendar Ideas (Pre-Filled)
Filling your own Advent calendar is always fun, but let’s be honest—sometimes we just don’t have the time. And honestly, there are some really amazing pre-made Advent calendars out there that are just too good to pass up! Here are a few that I think would be perfect for your Advent calendar tradition this year. I’ve included picks for kids and families, plus some great options for adults—because we’re never too old to enjoy counting down to Christmas!
Advent Calander for Kids and Family
These advent calendar ideas are great options for kids or the whole family.
Puzzle Advent Calendar – Christmas Dogs
I absolutely love the idea of working on a Christmas puzzle together each night as a fun way to count down to Christmas! It’s the perfect way for families to spend quality time together while making memories that will last. Such a sweet tradition to share throughout the holiday season!
Legos and counting down to Christmas…need I say more? Kids will love this Christmas Lego set and building a little piece of the scene out each day and parents will love the time spent together. It’s a win-win.
I don’t know if it is just my kids, but they are obsessed with rubber ducks. So Rubber Ducks + Christmas Countdown = You can’t go wrong.
Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter, LEGO, and Christmas—it doesn’t get much better than that! Whether it’s for kids, the whole family, or even adults, this Advent calendar is a magical way to count down to the holidays. Plus, they release a new one each year, so you can build an entire Harry Potter Christmas collection over the years!
Star Wars Funko Pop! Advent Calendar
Let’s be honest—Star Wars fans are really into Star Wars. Have you ever met a casual fan? Nope, Me neither! That’s what makes this Advent calendar so fun—it features Star Wars characters decked out in festive Christmas gear. It’s seriously too cute to resist!
I love mixing activities with little gifts in our advent calendar tradition. That’s what makes this Play-Doh Advent Calendar set so perfect. You can create memories and moments while counting down to Christmas.
Disney Funko Pop! Advent Calendar
This Disney Funko advent calendar is a great option for kids, families, or Disney Adults. Not only is it fun, but these mini figures would make the cutest Christmas decor.
Mini Brands may have had their big moment a few years ago, but they’re still so much fun—especially if you have an Elf on the Shelf! These tiny toys are perfect for your Elf to play with, and there are so many creative ways to use them for extra holiday fun.
Advent Calendar for Adults
Advent Calendars aren’t just for kids, adults can join in the fun too! Here are a few advent calendar ideas to consider for adults.
Pukka Herbal & Tea Gift Advent Calendar
I love this idea, count down to Christmas with a different cup of tea each night. Behind each tea pouch, there is a daily activity you can do. They are small gifts to give yourself, and some days have a QR code you can scan for that day’s small gift.
The Office Funko Pop! Advent Calendar
The Office is an all-time classic, and let’s be real—fans of The Office are absolutely devoted! So, of course, there’s a The Office Funko Pop Advent calendar, and it’s the perfect way to bring a little Dunder Mifflin cheer to your countdown.
Christmas Theme Straw Topper Advent Calendar
How cute is this idea?! It’s perfect for adults, teens, or really anyone who loves Christmas and always has a tumbler in hand. Pair it with a festive Stanley cup for your kid’s teacher, and you’ve got the ultimate holiday gift. So fun!
Holiday City Puzzle Advent Calendar
This Advent calendar is a dream come true for puzzle lovers! Each day reveals a new piece of the puzzle, with the days numbered on the back so you can enjoy it year after year. Just picture it: ending each day with warm apple cider, soft Christmas music, and this festive puzzle. Pure holiday bliss!
As the holiday season draws near, an Advent calendar is the perfect way to add a little daily magic to your Christmas countdown. Whether you’re picking out a pre-made calendar or filling one with personalized treats, each surprise brings more joy and excitement to the season.
I hope this guide has sparked some inspiration for your own Advent tradition, adding extra cheer for everyone in the family. If you have any Advent Calendar ideas you want to share, please leave your ideas in the comments. Happy Counting!
