Twenty-four doors.
Twenty-four tiny things.
By approximately door nine, this can begin to feel less like Christmas magic and more like a procurement exercise.
So don’t fill every door with a thing.
The best advent calendars mix little surprises with little things to do.
What actually fits inside an advent calendar?
Before buying anything, measure the drawer or door.
This sounds obvious.
It becomes considerably more obvious after buying 24 things that don’t fit.
Write down:
height × width × depth
and keep it in your phone.
Non-candy advent calendar fillers for kids
Try:
- Stickers
- Hair clips
- Temporary tattoos
- Stationery
- Tiny craft supplies
- Little decorations
- Age-appropriate mini toys
- Notes and clues
If a Dinky Dinkum is too large for the actual drawer, leave a clue inside telling them where to find it.
Much more exciting anyway.
Our bag charms and smaller doll accessories are the sizes that genuinely fit a standard door.
Also Read:
Craft-based doors that cost almost nothing.
Advent fillers for toddlers
For toddlers, avoid choosing an item simply because it’s small enough for the calendar.
Check its age suitability first.
Activity slips are excellent here:
Dance to a Christmas song.
Choose tonight’s story.
Go and find the Christmas lights.
Give your favourite toy a Christmas cuddle.
If you haven’t chosen a calendar yet, our toddler advent calendar ideas post covers which type suits which age.
Daily activities instead of objects
Some of our favourites:
Make hot chocolate.
Wear Christmas pyjamas.
Make a card for someone.
Have dinner by the Christmas tree.
Choose a toy to donate. Our guide to donating soft toys covers where to take them in the UK, US and Australia.
Take the Dinkums on a Christmas picnic.
Call someone you love.
Suddenly you’ve filled half the calendar without filling the house.
Also Read:
Build the calendar itself, not just the fillers.
How to do 24 days without overspending
Try the 8 + 8 + 8 rule:
8 tiny gifts
8 treats
8 activities
Or go even lighter on objects.
There is no advent-calendar authority checking.
If you’re filling stockings from the same budget, our stocking filler ideas post keeps the two from overlapping.
What goes in the 24th door?
Make it something that starts Christmas Eve.
A note saying:
Christmas pyjamas on. Story chosen. It’s Christmas Eve. ❤️
Sometimes anticipation is the best little thing behind the door.
Little things that fit the doors
Advent calendar filler FAQs
What can you put in an advent calendar instead of chocolate?
Stickers, stationery, tiny decorations, age-appropriate toys, activity notes and little clues all work beautifully. Not every door needs to contain a physical present.
What are inexpensive advent calendar filler ideas?
Try a mixture of small treats, craft supplies and free family activities. A note saying “Tonight we're looking at Christmas lights” can be every bit as exciting as a toy.
What if an advent calendar gift doesn't fit inside the drawer?
Put a clue inside instead. Hide the surprise somewhere around the house and let your child find it. A tiny treasure hunt makes the discovery even more exciting.
How do you fill 24 advent calendar days on a budget?
Try eight small gifts, eight treats and eight activities. You can also use more activity notes and fewer presents. There are no rules requiring 24 purchases.