About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
The Final Countdown
silver spoons: advent calendars canada
(Nov.22.10)
The countdown to Christmas is always more fun with an advent calendar. I'm a visual person though, so I never really understood why the numbers on the box of chocolates were randomly arranged and had me searching for the date before I'd had my first chocolate (my caffeine addiction started early).
Regardless, getting an advent calendar was mind-blowingly awesome. A chocolate each morning?! What?! Of course my mom would only buy one and my sis and I would have to take turns eating chocolate every other day. Sheesh, life was hard.
As if that wasn't enough, the modern day advent calendar takes the mind-blowing and the awesome to new heights. Check out my five favourites and get them before they sell out. (The coveted Lego Advent Calendar is sold out everywhere already.)
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Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar
Absolutely delightful and just what we'd expect from the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Each flap reveals a new decoration to put on the tree! (Read: no candy, but still fun.)
$15. Available at www.amazon.ca.
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Playmobil's Christmas in the Forest Advent Calendar
My husband is part Norwegian and this set totally does it for me, now that I'm Scandinavian Christmas obsessed. Kids open new elements each day to build their scene (I'm guessing Santa comes on the last day).
$23. Available at www.chapters.indigo.ca.
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My Little Pony Advent Calendar
These pocket-sized plastic ponies have stood the test of time (they've been around since I was a kid). While it may not be the most eco-friendly option (tiny plastic pieces have a tendency to get lost), I know one little girl who would do a daily happy dance if she got this.
$15. Available at www.sears.ca.
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Alex Crafty Pop-Up Advent Calendar
Fill-your-own advent calendars offer the option to do a mix of chocolates, candy and small toys. This one gets bonus points for having a craft element (some light assembly required). Anything that kills time doubles as an activity is like gold in my house.
$25. Available at www.mastermindtoys.com.
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Eboo Christmas Eve Parade Advent Calendar
The completely recyclable (and quite possibly, reusable) eboo advent calendar is pretty to look at. Best of all, each flap reveals a new picture, so there's no candy, no toys, no spoiling and no waste. (OK, that doesn't sound so fun, but it's an eco-conscious option.)
$11. Available at www.grandrivertoys.com.
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Of course mom wouldn't mind getting the new million-dollar advent calendar available at Harrod's in London. The lucky recipient gets a gift from Porsche each day leading up to Christmas. Doesn't that sound mind-blowingly awesome?!