Advent calendar: filling ideas for kids and adults
The countdown is on, but the 24 doors are still empty? Don't panic: We have ideas for what you can put into your homemade advent calendar. Whether it's little explorers or big sweet tooths – these filling ideas will turn opening a door every day in December into an experience. Pick your favorite highlights and get ready for 24 boxes filled with pure anticipation!
Filling ideas for your advent calendar
From a hot water bottle to an outing voucher – the contents of your advent calendar can be practical, bring joy or create memories. Discover our advent calendar ideas for the whole family:
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Hand warmers or hot water bottle
Small hand warmers are lifesavers on the way to school in winter or while waiting for the train. With hot water bottles, every winter day at home becomes a little cozier. -
Hair ties and hair clips
You can never have enough hair ties and hair clips. Surprise your loved ones with accessories made from high-quality materials or hair jewelry in their favorite color.
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Favorite sweets
Whether candy or chocolate – we all have our personal favorites. And what would an advent calendar be without sweets? At least 1 of the 24 doors should be filled with something sweet.
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Outing voucher
Time is the most valuable gift. A voucher for an afternoon at the cinema or a trip to go ice skating creates memories that last much longer than material little gifts.
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Cozy socks or gloves
Socks and gloves may sound basic, but especially in winter, we all appreciate an extra dose of coziness – opt for high-quality materials such as merino or alpaca wool.
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Keychain or backpack charm
A charm is a small but personal companion. It gives your bag or backpack an upgrade and helps you recognize your own keychain more quickly.
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Special Christmas tree ornament
This is how you start a wonderful tradition. If you hide a new ornament or a fun Christmas tree decoration in the calendar every year, you will gradually build up a personal collection.
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Books
Whether an exciting thriller for adults or a read-aloud book for children – books in the advent calendar provide quiet and relaxing breaks during the run-up to Christmas.
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Ginger shot
A clever alternative to sweets that supports the immune system in winter. If you want to make the gift even more personal, you can also prepare and bottle the ginger shot yourself.
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Photos
Printed photos for the photo wall are a welcome change from the overflowing photo gallery on your phone. Choose the highlights and most beautiful family photos as a reminder of the past year.
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Puzzle
The cold season offers the opportunity to enjoy the very best activities at home. Puzzling together promotes concentration and creates wonderful memories.
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Bookmark
A stylish bookmark is the perfect gift for all bookworms. Whether homemade or made from fine materials – reading becomes even more enjoyable on cozy winter evenings.
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Homemade cookies
They say the way to the heart is through the stomach. Lovingly packaged cookies behind a calendar door sweeten the day and bring the scent of Christmas baking into the home.
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Favorite snacks
Whether crunchy nuts, dried fruit or protein bars – small snacks provide new energy on long winter days. They are a delicious alternative to classic chocolate in the calendar.
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Puzzle book
For clever minds, puzzle books offer an entertaining activity. They provide a relaxing mental challenge in between while enjoying a cup of tea.
Fill your homemade advent calendar with a PEZ dispenser
A homemade advent calendar needs just the right dose of magic – and what could make eyes light up more than an iconic PEZ dispenser? Whether it's a superhero, retro classic or a character from a favorite movie: You can bring real pop culture and collector's joy to your advent calendar. The practical advantage? Dispensers and candy are easy to package and can be tailored exactly to personal taste.
Advent calendar ideas for kids
Children love surprises in the run-up to Christmas. In addition to small snacks, stickers, mini games or pens are sure to put a smile on their faces. Discover our advent calendar ideas for kids:
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Bubbles
Bubbles fascinate young and old alike and instantly add a touch of magic to everyday life. A quick game for in between that brings shining eyes both outdoors and indoors.
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Stickers
Colorful stickers with different designs add a magical touch to notebooks, drawings or lunch boxes. They are perfect for letting your creativity run wild.
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Coloring book
A coloring book provides quiet moments and promotes fine motor skills. With colorful designs to fill in, the wait for Christmas flies by.
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Toy figures or Schleich animals
Toy figures, small animals or miniature cars expand the collection in the children's room. They invite imaginative role-playing and often accompany children for many years.
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Card game
Compact card games are quick to explain and fun for the whole family. They fit into any backpack and help beat boredom on gray afternoons.
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Bouncy ball
A bouncy ball provides plenty of movement and action. Whether in the hallway or in the garden – bouncing it around is simply great fun.
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Kids' tattoos
Temporary tattoos with colorful designs are an absolute highlight in the calendar. They are easy to apply, gentle on the skin and sure to earn admiring looks.
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Modeling clay
Modeling clay brings hours of creative fun to the children's room. Making small figures stimulates the imagination and trains hand dexterity.
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Pens, eraser and more
Glitter pens, colorful pencils or fun erasers add some excitement to school life or the drawing table. Practical and useful at the same time.
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Yo-yo
A classic yo-yo is the perfect pastime for little acrobats. It trains hand-eye coordination and encourages children to learn new tricks.
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Kids' face paint
Whether as a big cat, butterfly or superhero – child-friendly face paint turns dressing up into an experience. Perfect for creative afternoons during Advent.
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Marbles
A little bag of colorful glass marbles brings back the joy of classic children's games. Rolling and aiming playfully helps develop concentration.
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Hot chocolate
Hot chocolate on a stick or small portions of powder turn a cup into a sweet treat. The ideal drink after a cold day outdoors.
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Balloons
So simple, yet such a huge amount of fun: Colorful balloons bring playful joy to the children's room and invite hours of active fun.
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Seed paper
A surprise for children with a learning effect: The seed paper is planted and transforms into beautiful flowers on the windowsill in spring.
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Fuse beads
Fuse beads can be used to create amazing works of art. They promote patience and fine motor skills while children have endless possibilities when choosing their designs.
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Bead set
Colorful beads and cords invite children to make their own bracelets or necklaces. The perfect gift for little beauty queens.
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Sidewalk chalk
With bright chalk colors, the sidewalk or yard becomes a huge canvas on dry winter days. This is how little artists transform the gray surroundings into colorful worlds of pictures.
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Flashlight
A flashlight transforms the home into a cave adventure. Perfect for reading under the covers, evening walks or shadow games in the children's room.
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Mini rolling pin and cookie cutters
These turn children into real little bakers. Ideal for baking afternoons together during Advent, making and cutting out their own cookies.
PEZ Advent Calendar: The Sweet Countdown
It doesn't always have to be homemade: With the PEZ Advent Calendar, you can spark the ultimate anticipation without any crafting stress! Behind every door awaits the perfect mix of nostalgic dispensers and fruity sweet treats. A new highlight every day – making the wait for Christmas guaranteed to become your favorite daily routine.
Filling an advent calendar: Ideas for adults
Who says anticipation has an age limit? Adults also deserve their daily smile in December – whether with little everyday lifesavers or relaxing breaks. Discover our advent calendar ideas for adults:
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Notebook
A high-quality notebook for everyday life: The recipient can use it for spontaneous ideas, to-do lists or personal thoughts.
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Planner for the coming year
An analog calendar gives your mind a break. It helps keep appointments organized, plan your free time and remember every birthday.
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Hand cream
Cold winter air puts a strain on your hands and calls for rich care. A scented hand cream provides moisture and is the perfect lifesaver on the go.
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Board games
Whether a compact travel game or a tricky quiz – small board games bring life to the dining table. They make for sociable evenings full of laughter with friends and family.
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Spices
High-quality spices or homemade spice blends add a special touch to everyday dishes. A great inspiration for anyone who enjoys cooking and good food.
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Scented candle
Nothing is quite as beautiful as candlelight during Advent. Choose your loved one's favorite scent and create relaxing moments in the run-up to Christmas.
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Tea
A selection of aromatic teas invites you to take a break from everyday life. A steaming cup warms you from the inside and brightens up gray afternoons.
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Cosmetic products
Small pampering treats such as face masks or serums bring a touch of wellness to your own bathroom. A wonderful way to take a break and leave the stress of the pre-Christmas season behind.
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Sweets
Anyone who wants to fill an advent calendar on a budget can opt for small sweets such as PEZ Candy. They are small, compact and easy to store in individual doors. Since the candy can be spread over several days, they are particularly well suited as an affordable filling for the advent calendar. This makes it easy to create a varied and sweet Advent surprise with little effort and a small budget.
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Personal messages
Handwritten notes with kind compliments, memories or vouchers bring warmth to the heart. These personal gestures often mean more than any material gift.
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Cotton tote bag
A stylish cotton tote bag with a beautiful print is the perfect everyday companion for shopping or browsing the stores. Practical and always ready to use.
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Honey
A small jar of local or special honey adds flavor to your morning tea or muesli. A sweet moment of indulgence that gently supports the immune system.
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Premium pens
A high-quality ballpoint pen or fountain pen feels good in the hand and makes writing a pleasure. An elegant everyday helper for the office or home.
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Sports towel
A compact, quick-drying microfiber towel is ideal for the gym or a yoga session. The perfect motivation for anyone with fitness goals.
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Sleep mask
A soft sleep mask made of silk or cotton ensures restful sleep, wherever you are. It blocks out light and provides pure relaxation.
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Phone case
A stylish phone case protects your smartphone from drops while giving it a fresh new look. For a personal touch, you can also design the phone case yourself.
