Enjoyable Advent Calendar
583007
We purchased this Advent Calendar for our ten-year-old son. This is the first year that he has been able to put all the toys together without help. All in all, it's a very nice toy with usual Lego quality.
3388312
My 3 1/2 year old just loved this calendar.  There are 15 flaps, behind which are paper ornaments to hang on the tree, or in a handful of cases, paper gifts to put in the pop up boxes.  The colors are muted and beautiful.  My son enjoyed opening each flap - and although he kind of had a hard time getting the paper ornaments out and hanging the paper ornaments on the tree, he seemed to enjoy trying so much.  He delighted in finding gifts behind some of the flaps.  When asked at school what his favorite part of the holidays were, he answered that the Advent Calendar was his favorite!  A win!  Highly recommended as a gift, too.
1091140
This was a wonderful change from the candy filled advent calendars that we normally get. My daughter loved opening each day and seeing what fun characters she got. (I have to admit, I did too!) Sadly, we didn't get a little Stitch figure which is one we REALLY wanted but all of the characters were great and now she has lasting keepsakes from her advent calendar rather than cavities!
3914773
It's getting toward late August.  Time for back to school buying and my annual purchase of Cynthia's Hart's Victoriana Calendar which has been gracing my kitchen wall since 1988.  In recent years some months of the beautiful calendar have been a little "out there" for some people's taste.  I believe last January's featured pigs which are not everyone's favorite symbol and a couple of Augusts ago there was a naked little girl featured among some beach scenes which made even me a little uncomfortable. And I recall some Octobers have had clowns and jack in the boxes as a focus, creatures I find much more creepy than amusing. Thankfully all twelve months of 2011 feature lovely motifs that should suit everyone's fancy.

January starts with cozy indoor scenes of children with their cats and dogs.  Some of the kids (and animals) seem to be taking some type of tonic or medicine which leads me to wonder if the pictures originally appeared on calendars or advertisements sponsored by pharmacists or patent medicine sellers.  February is pure Victorian Valentine's Day with an appealing boy and girl at the center writing messages to each other on their school slates.  March focuses on pretty pansies, lovely little girls and other spring scenes.  April is Easter themed (the holiday is very late in 2011 - April 24) with lots of bunnies, eggs, and cute kids.  As usual May references Mother's Day and focuses on playful little ones enhanced by some beautiful pink roses.  June brings young couples and assorted posies, cameos and other pretty things.  July celebrates bounty from agriculture with lots of healthy looking vegetables, poultry and  farm animals.  August is very romantic with several happy couples, many flowers and a well dressed pair of lovers in a  lavishly decorated antique car as the central image.  September is back to school time so lots of children are shown as well as the quote "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."  October is mostly black and orange with some often used Halloween characters in silhouettes as well as pumpkins and autumn flowers.  November focuses on traditional Thanksgiving themes with several turkeys both cooked and uncooked featured as well as fruit, happy families and even a Pilgrim and a Native American.  And December brings a rather skinny Santa in white robes though he does have a bag of toys on his back, a long white beard and some adoring children circling him to make him familiar to modern folks.  Red roses and traditional December holiday season symbols cover the rest of the month's two pages.

As always some notes on the origin on the images used are included on the calendar's back two pages.  Almost all Western holidays are marked but I have always regretted the Victoriana calendars don't include moon phases.  As usual some Victorian themed seasonal postcards are included as well as a datebook and a standup year at a glance calendar.  If you are in the habit of buying this quality calendar you won't want to miss the lovely 2011 edition.
2751326
My college-aged daughter loved this tea advent calendar as a perfect alternative to the traditional chocolate ones. It is beautiful and the tea was very good.
3675270
For my first Advent Calendar, this was a great addition to our Christmas decor!
387374
This advent calendar has become one of the traditions I look forward to each year. Advent calendars actually about Christ, and not Santa or just a countdown to Christmas, are hard to find and this one does not disappoint. It is well constructed and not cheesy at all. This was our third Christmas using it and it still looks like new. I added Bible verses written on the back of each figure to retell the story from the Bible and my kids have learned the story so well!
415884
Police Playmobil Advent Calendar is a great choice, no need to give your kids more candy.
They will love the extra surprises.
234667
Our family has a tradition of celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas. One of the ways we stretch it out is by pulling out pop-up books, one per day. This little book will be a gift for the children on one of the days of Christmas this year, then it will join ranks with the others we have for the family to enjoy through Epiphany.

The book is small, like the size of the Beatrix Potter books, but thicker. All of the pop ups work well and are nice. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that it seems to be in part a selection of the longer Christmas ABC's book from the same author/paper tech. I found the "Look Inside" feature a little misleading for that reason.
554655
It is so hard to find Advent calendars that TRULY keep Advent in mind and not just the secular side of the holiday season.  Sent these to my nieces, nephews and Godchildren (who are now in their late 20's!!)
2658984
Beautiful artwork, well-printed with all the major holidays clearly marked. I also like it that there's enough space for each day so I can put notes down. I would love to buy a different design for next year. To me, wall calendars are not just calendars, but also a decoration to my room. The price is acceptable, with free shipping and prompt delivery.
937062
What a great way to celebrate the advent calendar. My boys had so much fun with this and each day were excited to open  the doors. We will buy this again next year.
412124
great for kids and adults. Had a great time opening these up for an advent "thing" to do. Great idea instead of the typical little candy gifts you get with most advent calendars
2161550
This advent calender is so much fun!!! We can't wait to open it each day!!
4698127
This was a fun jigsaw puzzle to put together. Great family project. Also it's not too hard since there are not large portions of it that are all the same color/pattern. Even the walls and windows in the top corners were not that bad. They were probably the hardest part, but there's just enough detail in the image that you shouldn't get too frustrated trying to figure it out.

The best part is that while you're having fun, you can't help but meditate on the scene depicted and reflect on the amazing and glorious gift God gave us by His Incarnation. Perfect activity for Advent and Christmastime.
1999181
I purchased this calendar for my eight-year-old grandson for Christmas; he was thrilled.  Arrived quickly and packaged well.
4011875
A sweet advent calendar for nutcracker fans of all ages.