Advent calendars
Two wooden advent calendars with 24 drawers to fill yourself, the Santa Sleigh and the Large Christmas House at £24.99, and a traditional advent candle numbered 1 to 24 at £6.99. A calendar that is refilled every year rather than thrown away.
Refillable calendars
Both wooden calendars have 24 numbered drawers or doors, each big enough for a sweet, a small toy or a note. Fill them yourself and you have a calendar that is unpacked each December: the house goes on a sideboard, the sleigh on a table. They are painted wood from Three Kings and make a better first-of-December than a cardboard box of chocolate.
The advent candle
A 22.4cm candle marked from 1 to 24 down its length. Light it each evening and let it burn down to the next number. It is the oldest form of advent calendar and the cheapest. Keep it on a non-flammable holder away from the tree.
Common questions
How big are the drawers?
Big enough for a wrapped sweet, a small toy car or a folded note; about 4cm across.
Are the calendars filled?
No. They come empty for you to fill, which is the point of a wooden calendar.
How long does the candle burn per day?
About 20 to 30 minutes to move from one number to the next.