CHOOSING the right advent calendar can make the countdown to Christmas even more magical.
It’s no longer about indulging in a single square of chocolate.
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Instead, children can open a toy a day which is not only healthier, but it lasts longer too.
And there is something for all children, whatever their interests.
From Barbie to Lego, there are calendars themed around almost every kids’ character.
Here mum-of-three Lynsey Hope, 42, from West Malling, Kent, picks her ten favourites:
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Fidget Toy Advent Calendar
- £15, menkind.co.uk
- Age: 3+
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Like them or loathe them, fidget toys are sure to be a huge hit with your kids.
My children aged nine, six and three were all enthralled to discover an advent calendar with 24 different fidgets inside including push poppers, spinners and tubes.
In fact, it’s the advent calendar they fought over. They loved it. I do worry whether it will last.
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Some of it might end up in the bin by the end of January, but for the price, I thought it was good value.
- GIFTS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 9/10
Barbie Jewellery Box Advent Calendar 2023
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Barbie has been big business this year and this advent calendar won’t disappoint.
It contains one bracelet and 23 Barbie-themed charms for you to open each day.
The calendar itself is made of sturdy cardboard and will turn into a jewellery box perfect for storing little trinkets.
The bracelet was a little loose on my six-year-old and the charms were big, which irritated her wrist and she wasn’t so keen on wearing it, which is a shame as it was pretty and no plastic in sight.”
- GIFTS: 6/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 7/10
Lego City Advent Calendar
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Gradually build a festive scene through December with this exciting Lego City calendar.
Behind each door, you’ll find mini builds and characters including Mr and Mrs Claus, a carol singer and ice hockey player as well as a snowman, reindeer and a puppy.
Sure to be a huge hit with Lego-loving kids.
There are Harry Potter, Lego Friends and Star Wars versions if you prefer, too.
- GIFTS: 10/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 9/10
Smiggle Advent Calendar
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Expensive if you pay full price at £35, but Smiggle is constantly offering deals on its best-selling advent calendar.
Right now, you can pick it up for £15, which is great value when you see how much it contains.
Gifts include highlighters, a slapband, scented stickers, a spy pen and worm keyring.
This calendar was a firm favourite with all my kids and the gifts were all high quality and built to last.
- GIFTS: 10/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 10/10
Panini Premier League Adrenalyn XL 2024 Official Countdown Calendar
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“A great treat if your kid loves Panini football cards as they get 22 packs containing six cards a day.
That’s over 130 cards and in the whole calendar, we only got two dupes!
Each door has a club logo on the front, which my son loved, and he poured over the cards for ages.
This was a huge hit and a great choice for football fans, if a little pricey.
- GIFTS: 7/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 6/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 6/10
Playmobil Christmas Rainbow Advent Calendar
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This pretty set includes a dining table for the perfect Christmas feast, a gold pot, decorated tree, a magical horse, gifts and figures all of which come together allowing your little ones to create a beautiful under the Rainbow party.
The box folds out into a backdrop to set the scene and the figures come with a detachable platform, which when attached, make it look as though the figures are dancing.
Some days only had something tiny to open, which was a bit disappointing, though the set as a whole is enchanting.
- GIFTS: 7/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 7/10
National Geographic Gemstone Calendar
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A great option for budding geologists, behind each door is a different gemstone.
They are all polished and a good size and include agate, green aventurine, tiger’s eye and lots more.
The final day is a pretty rose quartz specimen which kids unearth themselves with a mini dig kit.
It’s good quality, educational and a winner for any kids who loves collecting rocks and gems.
- GIFTS: 10/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 10/10
Peter Rabbit Advent Calendar
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Behind each door is a wooden Beatrix Potter character including Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and Mrs Tiggywinkle.
By the time Christmas arrives, you’ll have a full play set which will entertain kids long after Christmas is over and the decorations have been tidied away for another year.
Adorable, a real hit with younger children.
- GIFTS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 7/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 8/10
Melissa and Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
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A lovely reusable wooden calendar that is great for getting kids into the Christmas spirit.
It contains 24 magnetic ornaments for them to stick on the tree each day and a star for the top.
A little box will help keep the pieces together until they are all added.
A lovely decoration for your home, as well as being a calendar. Far more attractive than cardboard or plastic.
- GIFTS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 9/10
GraviTrax Advent Calendar
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It says three years plus, but really this is a great option for older children.
This calendar contains everything you need to create a fun marble track.
From height tiles to tracks, from special curves, there are 24 gifts, three holiday-coloured marbles and an extra surprise included.
It’s a great introduction to GraviTrax for newbies or can be used as additional pieces to an existing starter set.
The only issue is you don’t get the ball and base plate until the end, so if you don’t have GraviTrax already then you can’t play with it until you get those bits – but finally opening them, did create high excitement.
- GIFTS: 8/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 7/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 7/10
