Advent calendars for teens and tweens

Advent calendars aren’t just for young children who still believe. Tweens and teens may still enjoy the magic of Christmas, especially if they’ve got younger siblings. So why not get them something to help them get more involved with the run up to Christmas, and check out my advent calendar ideas for teens and tweens.

We’ve always just done chocolate coins in a fabric reusable calendar, although when N was younger I did add activities to do on some days. But nowadays there’s an advent calendar for everyone, catering for any price range.

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Advent calendars for tweens and teens

Shop bought advent calendar ideas

Funko Pop! Stranger Things calendar 

Charm bracelet advent calendar

Fishing Lure calendar – for angling teens  

Themed lego calendar – Star Wars, Harry Potter or a large variety to choose from.   

Beauty advent calendar = many of the beauty advent calendars are really pricy. Try this Soap and Glory one for a slightly cheaper version. The Benefit cube calendar looks nice though.

Micromallows Squashmallows – teens still seem to like the cuteness of Squishmallows

Tony’s Chocolonely – for on trend, more sustainable chocolate

Shower steamers – the alternative to bath bombs  

Candles – Yankee Candle tealight advent calendar  

Bonne maman calendar – for those who love toast! 

Hot chocolate advent calendar 

Escape room calendar – for problem solvers

Socks advent calendar – go Christmas style or just fun socks.

DIY advent calendars

Obviously it’s much easier to buy an advent calendar, but why not make your own.  You can make your own calendar by getting crafty, or reuse a shop bought one with boxes or pockets. Just make sure your calendar base has big enough pockets for what you’re going to be adding to each one.

To make your own, it’s as simple as covering a few small boxes in Christmas wrapping paper, and numbering each one 1-24. Then popping the relevant gifts inside.  

Alternatively, why not make little gift bags out of wrapping paper using origami.

Or make reusable bags you can use year after year. Make simple drawstring bags with Christmas fabric or even jute with pretty ribbon ties at the top. You can hang the bags across a ribbon or Christmassy rope from a mantlepiece.

Here’s some ideas for fillings if you’re making your own Advent calendar.

• Stationery – bullet journal for the end, with each door having a different item of stationery like stickers or pens to use in the journal.
• Make up – use samples collected through the year, or buy bulk items in sales then split them up individually.
• Lipgloss/nail polish
• Hair accessories
• Gemstone calendar – choose 24 crystals or gemstones and add a tag in with the meaning behind them 
• Trading cards
• Plushies
• Book advent calendar
• Chocolate/sweets – their favourite type
• Craft items
• Random acts of kindness ideas, activities ideas, or inspirational quotes  

Many of the shop bought calendars can be made DIY, so why not try making your own version of those.

Do your teens still have advent calendars?  What’s their choice this year?