By KIM COOK, Associated Press
Not so many years ago, a typical advent calendar was a basic cardboard box containing some 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 decor 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, in time for your recipients to count down the days to Christmas or a milestone. Here are some countdown calendars that cater to different interests, promising daily doses of joy.
### For Pet People
Because they’ve been (mostly) good boys and girls this year, consider a daily treat calendar for the household’s pets. Petco offers Merry Makings’ feline calendar, featuring 12 days of catnip goodies and toys behind the doors of a cute cottage. There’s one for dogs, too, with biscuits, chewies, and small plush toys. Prices range from $25 to $30.
New York-based dog-snack maker Bocce’s Bakery has a 12-day calendar containing their signature wheat-, corn-, and soy-free treats, made with ingredients like peanut butter, banana, and chickpeas. This calendar is priced at $14.
Trader Joe’s offers a cat calendar that includes freeze-dried sweet potato and salmon treats, while their dog version is all about chicken, also freeze-dried. Both are available for $7.99.
### For Gardeners and Makers
What nature lover wouldn’t enjoy a pretty calendar with different kinds of flower seeds? Terrain offers a box of seven seed bombs, each packaged in a decorative ornament featuring bees, butterflies, bunnies, and birds. Hang them on the tree until planting season, then watch your pot or garden bloom with chamomile, clovers, coriander, marigold, and other pollinator-friendly wildflowers come spring. This set costs $48.
Needlecraft artist Amanda Watson from Bend, Oregon, created a calendar you stitch yourself — one new embroidery design each day from Dec. 1 through Christmas. It’s a project suitable even for newbies, and the finished artwork can be framed or turned into a tote or pillow. The calendar is priced at $45.
For crafty kids, Mondo Llama offers the 25 Days of Christmas Crafts calendar. It includes all the sticks, foam and felt pieces, mini markers, googly eyes, and more needed to create a variety of cute holiday crafts. This calendar is available for $30.
Uncommon Goods’ Craft Project calendar comes with slots to hold your finished buildings so you can assemble a colorful village for display throughout the holidays. The kit includes paint markers, watercolors, glittery gel pens, and more, retailing at $95.
### Indoor and Outdoor Fun
Kids 8 and up would have a great time exploring the Experiment a Day Science Advent Calendar from Thames & Kosmos, a company known for science education-focused toys and games. Supplies for chemistry, biology, and physics experiments are included. It’s available through Uncommon Goods for $40.
Also from Thames & Kosmos is an advent calendar version of its escape-room board games. *Exit: The Game* involves an intergalactic race, with a new clue revealed each day to help players reach the end. This calendar is priced at $49.95.
For fishing enthusiasts, Colitt offers a calendar featuring 24 reusable lures, packaged in a box adorned with a fierce denizen of the deep. The price is $54.99.
The Purple Cow’s 24 Family Games calendar includes brainteasers, dice, and outdoor and nostalgic activities meant for the whole family’s enjoyment. It costs $40.
Finally, for fans of the musical *Wicked*, Centric Beauty offers a themed advent calendar filled with sparkly, shimmery balms, powders, and stick-ons for lips, eyes, and nails. This calendar is available for $16.49.
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Whether you’re shopping for a pet lover, a gardener, a crafty kid, or someone who enjoys a bit of daily fun and surprise, there’s an advent calendar to match every interest and make the countdown to the holidays extra special.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/16/advent-calendars-gift-guide/