Advent crafts Christmas homestyle

What’s inside our Advent crate

What's inside our Advent crate

Advent can take a lot of planning but it’s sooo worth the effort. I spend November planning our Advent books and calendars so everything is ready for December 1st.

Last year I made a little wooden Advent crate to hold everything but I have to admit it barely fitted anything, so I need to re-think how to hold everything this year.

I’m so excited for this year so I’m going to share what I’ve got ready for the family:

This year I have winter duvets for the kids. I picked these up in Asda in the Summer holidays as I thought they may sell out. The patterns are called Festive Fawn and Cheeky Elves and have a definite Cath Kidston vibe, but are obviously much cheaper. I’m thinking about putting these on the kids beds so they wake up to see them – that way I can blame our naughty elf.

I also picked up the Kellogg’s Variety Advent Calendar – 24 bowls ’til Christmas. This huge box contains 3 x Kellogg’s Variety packs which I’m not sure I understand. I think the portions are tiny but it would make breakfast fun during December. I bought two of these because there was no point asking my children to take turns. These were £4 each from Tesco.

Kellogg's Variety Advent Calendar

My 7 year old is a massive Star Wars fan and asked for the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. It was £25 but he gets more enjoyment from this than his Christmas presents so it was worth the money.

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar

My 5 year old will be receiving the Royal Ice Skating Trip which is a Playmobil Advent Calendar, and the only thing I didn’t buy this year. We are Playmobil Playologists and were sent this to review. I’ll be sharing pics as we open it on Twitter.

Royal Ice Skating Trip which is a Playmobil Advent Calendar

I couldn’t last Advent pass without buying everyone a chocolate calendar to open. My 7 year old has Where’s Wally?, the 5 year old has a Paw Patrol one, my husband has The Simpsons and even I get one this year – the lovely Tom Chaplin Twelve Tales of Christmas advent calendar. This weekend I’ll be having a massive tidy up so we have somewhere to put all these calendars!

Our Elf will also be arriving! This year he has a surprise for the children too 🙂

elf on the shelf brings a friend

Our Book Advent is ready to go so the only thing I haven’t bought is an Advent candle. I haven’t seen any I like but I still have a few days to pick one up. How are you getting on for the start of Christmas?

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Taylor Smart
    November 27, 2017 at 9:54 am

    i normally only do advent candles or homemade ones because the ones you buy from the shop just have so much packaging! i wish they made the inserts out of paper/card so it was all recyclable!

  • Reply
    Rebecca | AAUBlog
    November 27, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    ha, I love the Kellogs one – how fun! My son’s birthday is 1st December so he gets a few new bits. He’ll have a Star Wars Lego advent calendar this year

  • Reply
    Stephanie Merry
    November 28, 2017 at 9:58 am

    I love the Kellogs advent calendar, both my niece and nephew have lego ones this year. As well as chocolate ones of course! x

  • Reply
    Nichola - Globalmouse
    November 28, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Oh wow, your lucky children! We have gone with LEGO, Playmobil and Smiggle this year, the kids are desperate to know what I’ve got them but it’s a surprise for Dec 1st. Love the sound of those bedding sets.

  • Reply
    Linda Hobbis
    November 28, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    Not seen the Kellogs advent but love the idea. Your kids are going to be really spoiled. We’ve only got one elf so I’m mulling over getting another one to keep him company too.

  • Reply
    Shahneela
    November 28, 2017 at 8:30 pm

    I like the Kellogs advent calendar. Breakfast will be so much fun during December.

  • Reply
    Rachel George
    November 28, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    I love the Lego ones. They are pricey but you do get some good pieces and there is ongoing play value from it. Although my son wanted a Reeses Pieces one this year!

  • Reply
    beautyqueenuk 👸🏼 (@beautyqueen_UK)
    November 29, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    I am intrigued by the Kellogs advent calendar, the size of the doors give very little away as to the contents x

  • Reply
    Helen
    November 29, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    Aw what lucky little ones! The Star Wars and PlayMobil advents look so exciting. I’m quite intrigued about the Kellogs advent too. My daughter has a standard chocolate advent and I always make her one too. I just finished that Monday so we’re all ready to go on Friday.

  • Reply
    Lauren
    November 29, 2017 at 11:16 pm

    Waaaah now I feel so disorganised! I bet your little ones will love all that – I personally really love the idea of the Kelloggs Advent Calendar. Wonder if Tesco still have some left?!

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