**Advent Calendars for Everyone: Creative Options for Pets, Gardeners, Crafters & More**
By Kim Cook, Associated Press
Not so many years ago, a typical advent calendar was a basic cardboard box containing chocolates or other candies behind little daily windows. Today, advent calendars have evolved into creatively designed collections that dispense items ranging from pet toys to soaps, fishing equipment to art supplies. They make for festive décor and appeal to our love of ritual, surprise, and small things.
Of course, if you’re gifting an advent calendar, you’ll want to give it early, so recipients can count down the days to Christmas or a milestone. Here are some countdown calendars that cater to different interests and promise daily doses of joy.
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**Advent Calendars for Pet Lovers**
Because they’ve been (mostly) good boys and girls this year, consider a daily treat calendar for the household’s pets.
– **Petco’s Merry Makings Feline & Canine Calendars**: The cat version offers 12 days of catnip goodies and toys behind the doors of a cute cottage. The dog version delights with biscuits, chewies, and small plush toys. ($25-$30)
– **Bocce’s Bakery**: This New York-based dog-snack maker offers a 12-day calendar filled with their signature wheat-, corn-, and soy-free treats made with ingredients like peanut butter, banana, and chickpeas. ($14)
– **Trader Joe’s Advent Calendars for Pets**: The cat calendar has freeze-dried sweet potato and salmon treats, while the dog calendar features freeze-dried chicken treats. ($7.99)
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**For Gardeners & Makers**
What nature lover wouldn’t enjoy a beautiful calendar filled with different kinds of flower seeds?
– **Terrain Seed Bombs Advent**: This box includes seven seed bombs, each packaged in decorative ornaments featuring bees, butterflies, bunnies, and birds. Hang them on the tree until planting season, then enjoy chamomile, clover, coriander, marigold, and other pollinator-friendly wildflowers in spring. ($48)
– **Amanda Watson’s Embroidery Advent Calendar**: Needlecraft artist Amanda Watson created a calendar you stitch yourself, with one new design each day from Dec. 1 through Christmas. This embroidery project is beginner-friendly, and the finished work can be framed or turned into a tote or pillow. ($45)
– **Mondo Llama’s 25 Days of Christmas Crafts**: Perfect for crafty kids, this calendar includes sticks, foam and felt pieces, mini markers, googly eyes, and more to make a variety of cute holiday crafts. ($30)
– **Uncommon Goods Craft Project Calendar**: Each slot holds a finished building so you can create a colorful village to display for the holidays. The kit comes with paint markers, watercolors, glittery gel pens, and more. ($95)
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**Indoor & Outdoor Fun Advent Calendars**
– **Experiment a Day Science Advent Calendar by Thames & Kosmos**: Kids 8 and up will love exploring daily chemistry, biology, and physics experiments. Supplies are included. Available at Uncommon Goods. ($40)
– **Thames & Kosmos Exit: The Game Advent Calendar**: An advent calendar version of the popular escape-room board games. The “Intergalactic Race” theme offers a new clue every day. ($49.95)
– **Colitt Fishing Lure Advent Calendar**: For fishing fans, this calendar features 24 reusable lures in a box adorned with a fierce deep-sea creature on the cover. ($54.99)
– **The Purple Cow’s 24 Family Games Advent Calendar**: Includes brainteasers, dice, and outdoor and nostalgic activities for the family to enjoy together. ($40)
– **Centric Beauty’s “Wicked”-Themed Advent Calendar**: Inspired by the musical “Wicked,” this calendar offers sparkly, shimmery balms, powders, and stick-ons for lips, eyes, and nails. ($16.49)
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Advent calendars have become much more than simple chocolate boxes—they’re now engaging, playful, and tailored to a variety of hobbies and personalities. Find one that matches your loved one’s interests and spread a little extra joy this holiday season!
https://www.mcall.com/2025/11/16/advent-calendars-gift-guide/
