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Not so many years ago, a typical advent calendar was a simple cardboard box with some chocolates or other candies behind small daily windows.
Today, advent calendars have evolved into creatively designed collections that deliver items ranging from pet toys to soap, fishing equipment to art supplies. They make for festive decorations, and appeal to our love of ritual, wonder, and the little things.
Of course, if you’re gifting an advent calendar, you’ll want to give it early, so your recipient can count down the days to Christmas or a milestone.
Here are some countdown calendars that cater to a variety of interests while promising a daily dose of fun.
for pet people
Since they’ve been (mostly) good boys and girls this year, consider a daily treat calendar for house pets.
Petco’s got a Cat Calendar of My Makings, featuring 12 days of catnip goodies and toys tucked behind a cute cottage door. There’s also one for dogs, which has biscuits, chews and small plush toys. $25-$30.
New York-based dog-snack maker Bocuse Bakery has a 12-day calendar that includes their signature wheat, corn and soy-free treats, made with ingredients like peanut butter, bananas and chickpeas. $14.
A cat calendar from Trader Joe’s features freeze-dried sweet potatoes and salmon recipes, while their dog version is all about chicken — also freeze-dried. $7.99.
for gardeners
Which nature lover wouldn’t love a beautiful calendar with a variety of flower seeds? Terrain contains a box of seven seed bombs, each packaged in a decorative ornament – bees, butterflies, rabbits and birds. Hang them on the tree until planting season, then watch as chamomile, clover, coriander, marigold and other pollinator-friendly wildflowers welcome spring in your pot or garden. $48.
Needlecraft artist Amanda Watson in Bend, oregonMade a calendar that you sew yourself – a new design each day from December 1st until Christmas. This is an embroidery project that even beginners can handle, and the finished artwork can be framed, or turned into a tote or pillow. $45.
A fun one for crafty kids: Mondo Llama’s 25 Days of Christmas Craft Calendar comes with all the sticks, foam and felt pieces, mini markers, googly eyes, and more to make a bunch of cute holiday crafts. $30.
Slots in the Uncommon Goods Craft Project Calendar hold your finished buildings so you can assemble a colorful village to display during the holidays; The kit includes paint markers, watercolors, glitter gel pens, and more. $95.
indoor and outdoor entertainment
Kids ages 8 and up will have a great time messing around with the Experiment A Day Science Advent Calendar from science education-focused toy and game company Thames & Cosmos. Includes supplies for chemistry, biology, and physics experiments. Unusual stuff. $40.
Also available from Thames & Cosmos is an advent calendar version of its escape-room board games. Exit: The game involves a space race, and each day provides a clue to reach the end. $49.95.
Collet has a calendar for fishing enthusiasts: 24 reusable lures come in a calendar box, which depicts the fierce inhabitants of the deep areas on the cover. $54.99.
Purple Cow’s 24 Family Games Calendar features brainteasers, dice, and outdoor and nostalgia fun for the gang to enjoy. $40.
And for those who love “Wicked,” there’s Centric Beauty’s “Wicked”-themed advent calendar, featuring bright, shimmery balms, powders and stick-ons for lips, eyes and nails. $16.49.
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For more AP gift guide and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.