25 Advent Calendars That Sleigh

There are now Advent calendars for seemingly all ages and interests. Heightened holiday anticipation grows with the opening of miniature doors to receive tiny treasures.

But before we talk about the Advent calendars that are for receiving, let’s talk about those that encourage giving

A “Reverse Advent Calendar,” is just that. Fill each drawer with a suggestion for something that will be a source of joy. Pet food, snacks and toys for the animal shelter; a thermos, clean socks, gloves, hand wipes for a homeless person. For 24 days, starting on December 1st, place the selected item into a container. Then on Christmas Eve, take the collected items to the senior’s home, local food bank, animal shelter or any cause about which you feel strongly. My favorite way to get started is by using a traditional Advent calendar that can be used every year for this new family tradition.

Advent Calendars are not just traditional anymore! But they can still be used to do a Reverse Advent Calendar.

Delight Children

Advent Canlendars for children can include dinosaurs now.

Living in the Bluegrass State, horses must be considered.

Advent Calendar for the horse lover.

This book-a-day collection delivers a magical, surprise story every day leading to Christmas.

Book-A-Day Advent Calendar for the reader

Find the secret unlock code for Darth Vader in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Star Wars fans will love the LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Advent Calendar

I was conflicted with categorizing the next two calendars. Adults often enjoy collecting toys and eating Harry Potter treats.

There's an Advent Calendar for Harry Potter fans

Mmmmm…do you think I like this one because of the Fizzing Whizbees?

Advent Calendar for Harry Potter includes Fizzy Whizbees

Adult Beverages

There’s tea

Advent Calendar for tea lovers

…and coffee

Coffee lovers can have their own Advent Calendar

…And, Oh, my gosh! Cocoa Bombs!

How about an Advent Calendar of Cocoa Bombs?

There’s hard seltzer

Hard Seltzer Advent Calendar

And you can find beer and wine Advent Calendars at this site, as well.

Etsy is the go-to destination for all things special this holiday season. Find unique Advent Calendars, including this one for cocktails.

Even Santa would appreciate an Advent Calendar of daily cocktails

Options For Men

Jerky Advent Calendar – Cow Carolers

O Holy Cow is an Advent Calender men would appreciate. It has different Jerky each day!

Fishing Fly Lures fill this calendar:

Especially for the fisheman (or woman) - the Fly Fishing Lure Advent Calendar

The ManVent has a surprise behind every door (things like hot sauce)!

ManVent is the original Advent Calendar for men and includes different things like hot sauce

Choices For Women

Sure, riding a one-horse open sleigh is fun, but look!

Were you a fan of the TV Series Friends? There's an Advent Calendar just for you!

There has been little joy in 2020. With the pandemic and the stress of the election, it’s been, all Hallmark Channel, all the time.

There's even an Advent Calendar for Hallmark Christmas lovers

This nail dip Advent Calendar is complete with 24 unique one-ounce shades plus a new surprise gift for day 25. It’s taking real self-constraint for me not to hit the “Buy” button!

This nail dip Advent Calendar is complete with 24 unique one-ounce shades

Target’s Best of Box Advent Calendar:

Target's has their own Advent Calendar with beauty aids

Knitters, crocheters and yarn stashers would LOVE this!

Knitters and crocheters will love this Advent Calendar made just for them

Fancy

Scented little gems

Scented gems each day

Gourmet Jams & spreads, including Raspberry & Lychee

Gourmet jams and spreads can be a daily treat

Confections

Chocolate has gone to a new level in Godiva's Advent Calendar

Furry Friends

You can even get an Advent Calendar of Dog Treats for your furry friends

Fancy Feast® Feastivities Advent Calendar

Fancy Feast has an Advent Calendar for your loved cats

Advent Calendars of the Past

Which 2019 Advent Calendar measures four feet in height, weighs 155 pounds and has a $112,000 price tag?

You have to see this!

This 2019 Advent Calendar from Tiffany's measures four feet in height, weighs 155 pounds and has a $112,000 price tag

Beginning with 1987, Advent had my young boys moving a mouse to countdown to Christmas.

The 1980s Avon Advent Calendar had a mouse that was moved every day

Adults can now join the children who rush to their Advent calendar to see what treasure they’ll uncover.

Some are going to an “Out of Stock” status as I write this post, so don’t wait!

I Saw These and Thought of You (Easy Halloween Hacks)

Here are a few interesting Halloween-y ideas that I’d like to share. Most are fast and easy–a habit I have yet to change since retiring. With all that time on my hands, I should be able to make this costume for Halloween:

Halloween costume all a-glitter

But these are much more reasonable…

Halloween hair clip resembling skeleton hand

Buy this hair clip at Etsy

Make a large TY Beanie tag using felt. Attach to collar and Ta-Da! Your dog just got more adorable!

Halloween costumers are for dogs, too!

A white T-shirt can be transformative

Not into being a Mad Scientist? See other creations made from a white tee-shirt

Clever “Baby Bump” Costume

Clever costume for that "baby bump"

I have no information on this dress, but I LOVE it!

Creative dress can be worn year round

Here’s a Dollar Store DIY that’s really cool

Halloween decorations can be purchased at Dollar Tree

Another great dollar store DIY.

Window coverings from Dollar Store resemble Hades

Find more dollar store hacks here.

Many can attest I’ve been crocheting quite a bit lately. I’m so glad I came across this little gem. I’m pretty sure I’ll have it done by Halloween. Get the free pattern!

Free crochet pattern for a Halloween wreath

This elegant, bottom-up bouquet is easy!

Put roses upside down in a glass for a quick decoration

A glorious no-carve pumpkin.

No carve pumpkins are available in a variety of stores

Did you know that Buffalo Bill’s house from “The Silence of the Lambs” is up for sale? You’ll need a cool $300K (lotion not included).

Buffalo Bill's house (from Silence of the Lambs) is for sale

If you’re not getting into a costume for this year’s virtual Chipotle Boorito promotion, try these pies! Yes, they are pies!

Amazing Halloween pies

Did you know you can make homemade candy corn? Yes. You. Can.

Thank you, Alton Brown. Get his recipe.

You can make homemade candy corn

And, finally, something on which we can all agree …

RIP 2020 (thankfully!)

Cheers to that!

Bloody cocktail

Make your own “Flaming Dragon’s Blood” (thyme and raspberry daiquiri), cocktail.

Stay spooky my friends!

Hoarding? Or Basic Human Needs?

The insanity started over 6 months ago. The hoarding gave me some control. Until it spun out of control.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we joined in on the hoarding frenzy of buying toilet paper. This led me to hyper-focus on finding storage for the rolls and rolls (and rolls) of toilet paper.

Hoarding created bare shelves in the stores!

The vanity cabinet was packed tighter than The Rock’s tee shirt. It was at that moment I recognized I have a “beauty clutter” problem.  I decided to  stop buying until my inventory was used up.  

Hoarding beauty products have my cabinets tighter then The Rock's t-shirt!

Here’s my progress … (Please don’t judge).

Eye Cream

Initial Inventory:  8

*Edit on the eye cream. I found  eleventy-billion . How in the name of Corona can I have this much eye cream?!?! 

Current Inventory:  I  still have eleventy-billion.

Action:  First, have Sandy put them on a spreadsheet. Then use them on my entire body. (Maybe it’ll work there, because it didn’t work on my eyes).

Hoarding eye cream hasn't reduced the wrinkles!

Hand Cream                                                    

Initial Inventory: 10 or 12

Current Inventory: 4 (Yay!)

Action: None. I chucked eight of them because they were probably purchased before Bill Clinton was elected. The last four were placed in each bathroom plus the kitchen because we are endlessly washing our hands. I feel so brilliant!

Deodorant

Initial Inventory: 4

Current Inventory: 7

I know. I know. This doesn’t look good. In my defense, I did not purchase more deodorant. I won $40 worth of products for $20 during a friend’s Facebook Live Broadcast. Try your luck every Thursday at 6:30 pm ET here

Action: Use spray deodorant to remove permanent marker; let the dog play with the ball from the roll-on deodorant; use solid deodorant to eliminate that door squeak.

Shampoo                                                         

Initial Inventory: 5

Current Inventory: 3

What can I say? Finding that one shampoo which results in satin-y tresses takes time.  

Action: None. Good news! I finished a bottle of my husband’s shampoo and I didn’t smell like a dude. In addition, I have discarded a giant bottle of shampoo that didn’t lather and kept falling on my toes in the shower. Now there are only three and they will be used before purchasing more.

Hoarding shampoo gives me the opportunity to find one that makes my tresses satiny smooth.

Body Wash                              

Initial Inventory: 0

Current Inventory: 5

I had a moment of weakness. Kroger had an incredible sale. So now there are five.

Plan: None. Just use it until the year 2050.

Cotton balls

Initial Inventory: A bag of 100

Current Inventory: A bag of 80

My husband has this endearing habit of buying “BIG” (it’s better). The cotton balls he purchased are giant-triple-jumbo-colossal size.

Plan: None. I’ve been cutting them in half so it will take me twice as long to reduce, but cotton balls are not a problem. They will get used.

Massive cotton balls are being cut in half - which doubles the time to use them all.

Disposable Razors       

Initial Inventory: 48

Current Inventory: 44 See above. Purchased by hubby at Costco. ❤️

Plan: None. Again, not a problem. My eyelashes have stopped growing, but unwanted hair has not. Nature is so unfair sometimes, so there won’t be an issue using all of the razors.

In conclusion:

I still can’t store (the much smaller supply) of toilet paper in the vanity cabinet.

Here’s what went wrong, (AKA Excuses):

~ I haven’t been socializing since March. As a result, my hygiene has been sub-par (Although I squirt on some cologne and use dry shampoo every now and then, I still look like a zombie).

Almost non-existent hygiene has me resembling a zombie.

~ Darn those Facebook ads! They are powerfully effective (on me, anyway)

~ I continue winning “Deal or No Deal” and “Bingo” on that Facebook Live demo. That alone added 1 shampoo, 6 bars of soap, 3 deodorants, 2 lip balms and a lotion stick to my cache.

Massive quantities of soap, deodorant and lotions won at online bingo increased my supply.

Maybe I’ll be more successful at reducing my yarn inventory (sigh).


Did you hoard toilet paper? You can discover great ways to store your supply in our earlier post “Rest in Peace Eyesores

Holy Cow–“Dishing” it Out

With the failed Spring and Summer of 2020, it seems everyone’s anxious for an Autumn that’s reminiscent of 2019.

The following will not remind you of 2019, but they are fun and quirky.

New Food: turkey dinner flavored Candy Corn?

1. Introducing candy in Thanksgiving flavors of roasted turkey, green beans, and stuffing to ginger glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato pie

Be warned. Hand out these sweets at Halloween and your home will be egged.

New Food: Jelly Cakes are the newest trend!

2. Move over cupcakes and macaroons. Jelly cakes are the newest trend. Learn how to make a jelly cake  

See more of these amazing jelly cakes.

Similar to a Kuerig for smoothies. Vejo blends have support for sleep, stress and more.

3. A Kuerig for smoothies? Vejo is surprisingly similar!

Pod blends include support for sleep, stress, workout performance, and even, collagen.

Available in black, white, and 7 other colors. The blender is about $130 and the pods are about $3 each.

100% pure pasta is beautiful, too!

4. Look at this beautiful pasta! It’s 100% pure and completely free from any harmful and artificial additives such as sugar, cornstarch, glucose, or food coloring. 

Good for you cereal

5. Looking for a little nostalgia? This cereal is reminiscent of Saturday-morning-cartoon cereal but good for you!

11 grams of protein; Gluten-Free; No wheat, rice or soy; Just 3 grams of carbs No cane sugar, corn syrup or sugar alcohols; No artificial colors or sweeteners.

When I found this bunch of creative executions of common cuisine – I knew you were the friends that would appreciate me sharing.

Yay or nay? Leave a comment!