You know Christmas isn’t far away when it’s time to start opening your advent calendar. I remember every advent calendar I had when I was little. They were all traditional advent calendars with 24 little doors to open. Even if I got a new one the next year I would still reuse the old one pushing the doors shut as tightly as I could so I could reopen them again. My children love chocolate but when it comes to advent calendars the delight and wonder of the traditional advent calendar is what they ask for.
If you’re looking for something more traditional this Christmas season then here are some of the best traditional advent calendars you will find. Flamingo Paperie (from the people who brought you Phoenix Trading) have been producing well-known, beautifully illustrated, traditional advent calendars for over 20 years now. With either 24 doors to open or 24 pieces to press out and slot in or stand up, these calendars will stay in the memories for years to come. All printed in the UK and beautifully illustrated.
Whether you love Nativity themed, Santa or just Christmassy there are traditional advent calendars for everyone.
The Nativity Stable, with both slot in and stand up pieces, illustrated by Kate Garrett is our current bestseller. This is a perfect advent for classrooms, Sunday School or at home.
Ski Resort, with slot in pieces and illustrated by Julia Rigby.
Christmas Ark, with 24 slot in pieces, illustrated by Julia Rigby.
Tower of London, with a mixture of slot in pieces and doors to open, illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
Winter Village, with 24 slot in pieces, illustrated by Sue James.
The Reindeer Stables, with 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Amanda Loverseed is our second bestselling advent calendar. Of course you’ll know all the reindeer names but in case you forget one, they’re on each of the stable doors!
If you’d like to see the Winter Village unfold day by day then take a look at my video of the advent calendar being built.
All advent calendars are available here or click on an image to go straight to that calendar. Alternatively keep reading to see some well loved old favourites, available while stocks last here, at Cards and Gift Wrap.
Snowy Village, 24 houses to build and place round the village. Elegantly illustrated by Sally Swannell.
Christmas Tree, 24 slot in decorations, Illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
Bethlehem, with 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Sarah Summers and Nativity with 24 doors to open in a 3D display, illustrated by Anna Cattermole are both exquisitely illustrated advent calendars depicting the story of Jesus’ birth.
If you want something with a Santa theme then the following advent calendars all have some aspect of Santa’s part in the big day.
Santa’s House, 24 pieces to slot in, illustrated by Karen Tye Bentley.
It’s Christmas, with 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Karen Tye Bentley.
Santa’s Workshop, 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Laura Stone.
Map of the North Lands, 24 slot in pieces, and illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
Santa’s Room, 24 pieces to slot in, illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
No Christmas would be complete without a Gingerbread House or a Pantomime (Oh no it wouldn’t!).
Gingerbread House, 24 doors to open in a 3D scene, illustrated by Louise Angelicas.
Christmas Pantomime, 24 doors to open in a 3D scene, illustrated by Kate Gunn.
If you love the vintage Christmas look then the 3D advent calendars with 24 windows to open each day will give an almost Victorian style to your decor.
Department Store and Christmas Bakery both illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
If you like these then you’ll also love our traditional advent calendar cards. Perfect for popping in the post and like all our Christmas cards they are charity cards too.
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