reading time – 6 min
The Christmas countdown is on! And with it comes that little question you hear every morning: “How many more sleeps until Christmas?” To help kids wait until December 24, there's nothing like an Advent calendar filled with lovely surprises.
Discover our 24 simple, original ideas to make every December morning a little moment of joy!
8 little gifts to tuck into the calendar
These little surprises are easy to find and let you make your child smile without piling on big gifts!
- A pretty hairclip or scrunchie
- A small figurine
- Christmas stickers
- A mini sketchbook
- A pair of funny socks
- A small rubber stamp
- A keychain for their bag
- An ornament to hang on the tree
To get it just right, take inspiration from your child's interests and passions: a notebook for a budding artist, a figurine for a dinosaur fan, or an accessory for an aspiring musician. Just be sure to choose age-appropriate gifts, especially for little ones.
8 activities to enjoy as a family
- Bake Christmas cookies
- Have a family board game night
- Watch a Christmas cartoon
- Write or draw a letter to Santa
- Take a walk to admire the Christmas lights
- Spend an afternoon at the Christmas market
- Decorate the windows with Christmas drawings
- Make hot chocolate together
For these surprises, all you need is a little slip of paper! And for parents who want to keep things simple, Petit Picotin has created the lovely Christmas cards: a set of 24 “Treats & Activities” cards to tuck into the calendar pockets and enjoy special moments as a family.
On the agenda: a candlelit dinner, a drawing to send to the grandparents, a cartoon night... Printed locally near Nantes on lovely, thick paper, these cards turn every day in December into a new little adventure!
8 treats and thoughtful little gestures
- Christmas chocolates
- A bag of homemade cookies
- A piece of gingerbread
- A clementine tied with a pretty ribbon
- A coupon to choose the bedtime story
- A sweet note tucked into an envelope
- A coupon for a special family breakfast
- A photo to hang in their room
By alternating treats, surprises, and moments together, every day brings something new to discover. And best of all, you don't need to spend a lot to make wonderful memories!
Filling 24 pockets can seem daunting, but with a little planning, it's actually quite simple! Start by choosing a few little gifts, add some treats, and round things out with activities to do together. To avoid last-minute surprises, try to schedule the more time-consuming activities for weekends. You can also prepare the surprises ahead of time or fill a few pockets as you go. What matters most is keeping the joy of discovery alive each morning, without turning Christmas preparations into a headache!
With Désiré, our personalized Advent calendar, the whole family can share in the surprises! Its 24 roomy 12 × 12 cm pockets make it easy to tuck in little gifts, treats, and activities.
Personalize it with a name or a short message, and it can be enjoyed by one child or a whole group of siblings. Made from durable cotton canvas in a lovely bronze color, Désiré fits right in with your Christmas decorations and is a joy to bring out year after year!
An Advent calendar isn't just about discovering a surprise: it's also a lovely ritual that brings young and old together throughout December. These simple little moments become precious family memories over the years.
With Désiré, the Petit Picotin Advent calendar and its 24 “Treats & Activities” cards, all that's left is to dream up the surprises that will make your children's eyes light up this year!
Things your little ones say
“Mom, can I open just one present to check if it's the right one?”
– Selma, age 4
“I'll leave a carrot for the reindeer, but not my candy.”
– Elliott, age 3
“Mom, does Santa know I did something naughty if I don't tell him?”
– Nina, age 3
AUTHOR
Hello, moi c’est Capucine ! J’espère que cet article vous a plu. Passionnée par la rédaction et spécialisée dans les contenus autour de la petite enfance, je fais partie de l’équipe éditoriale de Petit Picotin. Au fil du blog, j’explore les questions du quotidien des familles pour vous partager conseils, idées et inspirations, en m’appuyant sur des recherches, des sources spécialisées et l’expertise de notre équipe.
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