IT’S TIME!
I held myself back and waited until Two Whole Entire Days after Halloween, but I cannot wait any longer. It’s time to begin the 2017 Smart Bitches Gift Guides!
Woohoo!
For our first installment, I’m going to enhance your gifting plans with a wonderful collection of Advent Calendars.
But, Sarah… aren’t you, um, Jewish?
YUP. But I am also a BIG fan of Advent calendars! Why? Because I use them for Hanukkah gifts!
First, every year I buy one of these Lego Advent Calendars – they are SO spiffy.
Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar: $35.00
Lego Friends Advent Calendar: $24.00
Lego City Advent Calendar: $30-35
The Lego Advent calendars sell out very quickly; I have a note on my calendar to go look for the current year’s edition in mid-September, when they first go on sale.
So how do I repurpose these for Hanukkah? Easy!
Each Advent calendar has 24 pieces, and usually 1-2 of them are very Christmas-specific. I put those aside and my sons usually give them to a friend. So that leaves me with more than enough for each of my two dudes to open a little Lego kit each night of Hanukkah.
Last year, I spent too much time on Pinterest and I had a glue gun, so I made sets of 8 blue felt star of David pockets for their bedroom doors, hung them with ribbons, and put the Lego mini build kits in each pocket.
Like I said, I was on Pinterest, and it got out of hand.
A note, should you wish to do this, too: the Lego kits have a little card in the lid of the Advent box (the “door” for the calendar for each night of Advent). You need that card – the builds are not all self-explanatory and most contain 1-2 extra pieces, which are perennially confusing. I bundle the cellophane packet of Legos with the card from the lid inside a tiny bit of wrapping paper (great for using up scraps!) so the recipient knows what the random bag of pieces is supposed to be. And the Star Wars kits are a lot of fun, too!
You don’t have to stop at Lego calendars, either. My neighbor’s son is obsessed with Paw Patrol, and their Advent calendar could easily be repurposed:
Paw Patrol Advent Calendar: $22.50
Another tip: usually the packaging or marketing images include a picture of what little items are inside, so if you’re concerned that each piece will be very Christmas-oriented, usually there’s a way to check in advance.
And if you’re not repurposing them for Hanukkah, one little gift each night of Advent from December 1st through 24th is a terrific way to add a surprise to each day as you approach the end of the year.
Looking for more calendars? We’ve got you covered.
Elyse found this one, and I’d like to apologize in advance to all the knitters: The Jimmy Beans Wool Craftvent Calendar.
There are three options in terms of color: Wintergreen, Sugar Plum, and Cozy Fire. Each kit is $150 – and there is a limited run of 50 kits in each color available. From the Jimmy Beans website:
In this spin on the traditional advent calender, we’ve packaged up everything you need to join our Mystery Knit-Along, and knit a lovely shawl from designer Rachel of Unraveled Designs! Displayed in a cheerful and colorful box, each day provides yarn, a notion, or pattern clue needed for the mystery shawl, including knitting needles! At the end of the 24 days you’ll have a gorgeous finished project to wear for the holiday season!
Each Craftvent Calendar comes with a total of 600 yards of yarn from 8 of our favorite hand-dyers! The shawl, an advanced beginner/intermediate project with some lace sections, will feature colorwork that transitions from dark gray to light, and each transition zone will be accented with a pop of color of your choosing! There are 3 color combinations to choose from, so pick your favorite combination and get ready for crafting fun starting December 1st!
Like I said, knitter friends, I’m sorry in advance.
And speaking especially to our Australian knitting friends, this Etsy Advent calendar from The Gamer Widows is adorable: knitting stitch marker Advent calendar, in lobster or ring clasp, or a mix! Starts at $52.
Now, I’m allegedly getting an Aldi’s grocery near me, which is very cool because they have a wine advent calendar.
Aldi’s Wine Advent Calendar, £49.99.
I am sad to report that it’s sold out online, but should be in stores “From November 1.” Anyone near an Aldi’s in the UK want to report if they’re sold out in stores, too? Let’s be real: forget standing in line for a phone. I’d no question stand in line to get a wine Advent calendar, and I am presuming I am not alone in my dedication.
And, Oh, Canada, there’s a specialty chocolate Advent calendar from Edmonton: The Violet Chocolate Company Advent Calendar is $65CDN. (That noise you hear is squeaks of jealousy from yours truly).
Here are a few more lovely options:
Drinks by the Dram in the UK offers advent calendar of gin, bourbon, whiskey, tequila, and I have to stop before I get too lightheaded from all the envy. They do have shopping links that include international shipping, but I can’t make any predictions about options into the US, as the laws vary by state.
The Body Shop’s Advent Calendar features 24 different beauty products. $55.00
Plus there’s the Morris & Co Advent calendar full of bath and body products, $70.
Heads up, crafty people! There’s a paper cutting template Advent Calendar on Etsy from CraftyHana for $17. Digital PDF templates, one for each day!
And now, I must apologize in advance to all the tea drinkers.
There’s a David’s Tea Advent calendar with 24 days of tea — but heads up, there is autoplay music on that site!
Newby Teas has a House of Newby Tea Advent Calendar and the presentation box is ridiculously cute (£55.00).
And Hanukkah gift shoppers! Pollen8 Tea on Etsy has an adorable tea set for Hanukkah gifting at $16:
How cute is that?!
Need some preserves, honey, jam, and 24 adorable jars for future craft projects? Look no further: the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is $28.
And of course, if you’ve got tea and jam, you need to complete the hygge trifecta with some candles, right?
The Yankee Candle Advent Calendar is $30 and includes tea lights in a mix of scents. For more candle burning, they also have a Twelve Days of Christmas set of votive candles at $30.
And of course, if none of these options speak to you, you could always make your own, either with a pre-made Advent box with drawers (like this beautiful one on Etsy, $55) or with a drawer kit of your own.
And for Hanukkah? Eight drawers? Easy to find: from desk organizers with drawers ($48) to four-drawer craft organizing sets like this one:
Or, check out this adorable clothesline of tiny bags for Hanukkah on Etsy from VinylWritten, $35.
Note: seller notes that this sold out very quickly last year so if you’re interested, grab it now!
I might have to stay away from Pinterest. This idea is making my brain get all excited. Can you hear my distracted self? Sarah… Sarah, you know exactly where the glue gun is, and you bought refills….
So many of the ideas mentioned here could be included in your own customized or personalized Advent or Hanukkah gift set – tea, yarn, coffee, samples of hand cream, stitch finders, lip balm, chocolate… so many options!
Two last things!
One: I LOVE hearing from you with suggestions for the gift guide. Please, if you’ve got ideas or suggestions, email me!
Second: Any and all holiday and every day shopping you do through our affiliate links is immeasurably helpful to keeping the site going. I’m including links below for your convenience. Thank you in advance!
Happy shopping! I hope this year you both give and receive warmth and joy.
Hey, it’s only another 14 years until Ramadan starts in December and I can find something in the gift guide, too, right? 🙂
Sarah, those glue-gun star pockets are adorable.
Since I habitually live in places without enough space for a tree, I did a lot of tree-shaped arrangements of construction-paper-and-glitter ornaments on the wall back when my kiddo was little. Someone who has more holiday spirit than I (or still-little kiddos to make faking it worthwhile) could incorporate 24 green holiday card envelopes with stories, activities, or little presents inside.
@Heather S: YES! And 14 years is PLENTY of time to plan!
@Ren: Thank you! I had a lot of fun doing them, and am excited to hang them up again this year.
I want a t-shirt that says “I was on Pinterest and it got out of hand.” LOL.
I didn’t know about most of these and now I’m going to literally hide my wallet because I will buy them all for myself. *whimpers*
On a more serious note – I get the Playmobil Advent calendars for my own kiddos. We’ve done a pony farm and a dragon adventure in the past, this year it’s Unicorns and Fairies 😀
I love having an Advent calendar and bought L’Occitane’s last year. It was… fine. Lots of shea butter and such, but the one thing I couldn’t live without? Yup, you guessed it. They discontinued it before I made it into the store. This year they have 2 — the regular one ($69 I think) and a deluxe set ($100+). Right now there’s a 20%-off sale.
I got my David’s Tea Advent Calendar! I’ve asked the spouse to hide it from me so I don’t start opening things before December. And I’m planning to put together my own yarny Advent calendar with my leftovers. It will be the push I need to finally start my sock yarn scrappy blanket.
Gift Guide post!!! Gift Guide post!! Gift Guide post!!!
I always look forward to these. I love that you read bad books so we don’t have to, but I am eternally grateful that you do the shopping we don’t think to.
And @Suzanne, unicorns & fairies – SOLD!!
Oh, shit, I didn’t know they made advent calendars for adults. Oh man… this is going to be bad….
Thank you so much for suggesting the Bonne Maman advent calendar. Mini jam-jars are one of my favorite things! I’ll definitely be ordering one of these!
This is awesome! Thank you!
Lego Advent calendars are the best. I remember one from about 20 years ago that ended up being Santa & his sleigh with an elf and reindeer, tree, etc. – each day was one thing. I meant to scoop it up after Christmas so that we could do it again the next year, but it got absorbed into our giant pile of Lego. My son is 26 now & he still remembers this kit fondly!
Love or hate the greeting cards, the Jacquie Lawson animated E-Advent calendars have been a hit with my friends and family for years, irrespective of age. Single calendars this year (Swiss Alpine theme) are $4.00, but I usually buy 10, which brings the price down to $3.00 each. I freely admit that I have spent hours smashing ornaments and designing my own snowflakes. Twee? Sure, but So Much Fun.
I read you all the time, and listen all the time – but this post is AWESOME, and I think I am $250 poorer for just reading. Thank you!!
To my fellow Canuck chocolate lovers – The Violet Chocolate Company is awesome! I discovered their chocolates when I was out west a couple of years ago. Yum yum.
I have been eagerly awaiting your Holiday Guides. I’m horrible to shop for so I use them as suggestions for my family when shopping for me. 🙂
I may have to look into a couple of these advent calendars!!
I AM SO EFFING EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
Thanks, I just bought three calendars! It is so not too early, you need your advent calendars way before late December!
Great idea about re-purposing them, too!
I’m reading this on my phone, and my eyes aren’t what they used to be. I thought you said you were apologizing for all the kittens. I couldn’t figure out why you would be apologizing for lots of kittens!
If any knitterly folk want to make their own advent calendar, here’s a garland of stranded mittens for your enjoyment…entertainment…frustration? http://www.justcraftyenough.com/2015/12/mitten-garland-advent-calendar-pattern-index/
No mittens for me this year, but I might knit some balls…I mean baubles. Hehehe. http://us.schachenmayr.com/news/arne-carlos-julekuler
I am so into advent calendars… When our son was younger we would go shopping together and split the money between us. He bought 8 tiny things each for mom and dad, and I bought 8 tiny things for him. So we were all surprised.
Now I mostly buy ready made ones, and it is so great that there are more and more options for adults. This year I found one specifically for men and on specifically for retired couples 😉
Two years ago we had a very expensive one that you could put together online. Luckily by the time it arrived I had forgotten what I ordered, so I was still kind of surprised. It was beautifully packaged in a wooden crate, the gifts wrapped individually.
I love advent calendars with food, tea and beauty products. There are some with sextoys, too, but I do not know about the quality.
My current favorite is the müesli advent calendar from mymüesli.
Ah, and last year I ordered an advent calendar for my co-workers with pictures from work, and chocolates! It took some time to chose the pictures, but the result was awesome!
I don’t even celebrate christmas but I find myself with a sudden burning need for a tea advent calendar. (If only international shipping wasn’t so expensive… aargh…)
I do so enjoy these posts each year. Thank you!
Thank you so much for the compliments and for letting me know how much you enjoy the yearly Gift Guide posts! I confess I have a ridiculous amount of fun shopping for things all of you might like (“Why are you ripping all those pages out of that catalog? Oh, it’s Gift Guide season. Right.”) and knowing how much you enjoy and appreciate them is just a lovely feeling and makes it so much more fun. Thank you.
For the knitters who want an advent project, Ambah O’Brien has an advent KAL starting on Dec. 1st. I don’t think the project page is live on Ravelry yet, but you can find info in her group. There are two options – a fade-style shawl with 24 mini skeins, or a striped version with one main color and 12 mini skeins. Personally, I’m hoping to stash dive for my shawl, but I know there are many kits available for purchase!
Dammit, Sarah! I pop on here for one second and I’m buying the Star Wars advent calendar for ME! Curse you!
Bonne Maman advent is available at yummybazaar.com also in case you don’t want to use amazon. I used the company for the first time & everything was good.
The Bonne Maman one is sold out at amazon and World Market.
I really don’t -need- it. But mini jars!
I already bought myself a L’Occitaine one, which has more eau de parfum than I was hoping for (e.g., any). The 20% sale doesn’t apply to the advent calendars, sadly.
Aldi’s.
Wine.
Advent.
Calendar.
I had NO IDEA you existed. And now I must hunt you down.
Thank you Sarah!
Good luck trying to get one of the wine advent calendars in Aldi – their special buys are always a nightmare to get hold of unless you’re there at 8am when the doors open! They’re doing a cheese advent calendar too and my Twitter TL seems equally obsessed with both.