Opinion
I love the festive season – but not before summer has even ended
by Oliver Fischer
Our editorial team put seven advent calendars to the test, from HABA to LEGO
27-10-2021
Translation: Megan Cornish
We tested out advent calendars so that you don't have to. The good part: we were allowed to open all the doors in October – just for the purposes of the test, of course. But at least you know which calendar could be the right one for you.
A few weeks ago, we came up with a supposedly good idea: testing out advent calendars from our shop. The problem: we have 1,000 different ones available. Enough material for an autumn rant on this pre-Christmas trend.
In the end, we decided on a selection of advent calendars and put them to the test. We made sure there was something for the whole family. Our rating system is really simple. The maximum score for a calendar is 24 doors. If a calendar scored below this, we explain why. However, ratings are always subjective.
OK, enough preamble. Here are the seven calendars we tested out. Just one more thing: if you like this article, you can tell us at the end. If we get a lot of likes, we’ll compile a second round-up of advent calendars to test.
And if you’re interested in one of the calendars but it’s not currently available, keep checking back – our category managers are working at full tilt to have them all in the shop from early November.
Something Star Wars every day
What does the manufacturer promise?
LEGO is marketing the Star Wars calendar to young Mandalorian fans – or something like that. I reckon that’s probably a really small target group. The 24 doors contain seven LEGO characters from the Mandalorian story and 17 building kits for different vehicles and aircraft from the Star Wars universe.
What can it do?
Much more than LEGO claims. The fact that all of the figurines and building kits are from the Mandalorian story may be critical for die-hard fans. For all other LEGO fans, it doesn't matter, but they’ll still think the calendar is cool. There’s something to build every day for 24 days. That’s sure to get LEGO fans’ hearts racing. The calendars we selected for this review were unwrapped and assembled by a six-year-old girl who doesn’t know anything about Star Wars or the Mandalorian. Nevertheless, we had hours of fun unpacking and building everything.
Who is it right for?
Every child from around the age of five (officially it’s six and upwards) who knows and likes LEGO should enjoy this advent calendar. Even if one day’s build kit or character is small and unspectacular, building it is always fun. And with each passing day, you can do more and more with the set. From a certain age, the build kits become too small and straightforward to be a challenge to assemble or for the toy to be used enough. However, the calendar can still be of interest as a collector’s item for the Star Wars or Mandalorian fans that LEGO is targeting.
Is it worth the money?
For the right customer, definitely. 24 times the fun and excitement for not even CHF 1.50 per set is a fair price. And if Star Wars isn’t for you, there are alternatives.
Rating: 20 out of 24 doors
A bone, a brush – the calendar concept doesn’t work
What does the manufacturer promise?
The product description tells the story of a vet who’s examining three horses before a show. The news that all the animals are healthy pleases not just the horses, but also the cats, rabbits and squirrels. Aside from the fact that the story is irrelevant for the child receiving the calendar, the description seems to come from a calendar made in previous years; the packaging shows a dog and a chick rather than rabbits or squirrels.
What can it do?
It does what it claims to. The calendar contains each toy shown on the box. This means that, on many of the days, you’ll get something small that’s pretty boring on its own – a «brush» to groom the horses, a tiny bone for the dog or a single red pole that you can’t use without the base (which comes later). Once you have the whole set at the end, horse lovers are sure to enjoy it. But some days, they’re bound to be disappointed by the boring mini gifts.
Who is it right for?
It’s described as suitable for children between five and 12 years of age. The minimum age makes sense because a lot of the pieces are very small and could be a choking hazard, and they also can’t really be used without reasonable fine motor skills. However, a maximum age of twelve seems very optimistic, as I can’t imagine it being a cool present for even the biggest pre-teen horse enthusiast. I’d say that between five and eight or nine is more realistic. And, aside from the horses and rider, the remaining items are likely to lose their appeal very quickly.
Is it worth the money?
Purchased individually, a Schleich horse with a rider costs around 20 francs. So, getting two extra foals for just under CHF 30 is cheaper than buying everything separately. And then there are the smaller items. Practically speaking, the calendar is good value for money. However, I don’t think it really works as an advent calendar (and my daughter agrees) because there are too many days when you don’t get anything cool. You’d be better off buying a few individual items as a Christmas present.
Rating: 12 out of 24 doors
A dust collector for die-hard Fortnite fans
What does the manufacturer promise?
24 vinyl mini characters in Fortnite skins. This Funko calendar is an officially licenced product, so the figurines are legitimate Fortnite merchandise.
What can it do?
You get 24 mini Fortnite characters. Nothing more, nothing less. Behind each door, there’s a four-centimetre figure that you’ll only recognise if you play Fortnite. But I have to say that they’re well made and attractively styled. All you can really do with the figurines is collect and display them. Children who don’t (yet) know Fortnite may also be able to use them as toys for fantasy games.
Who is it right for?
The primary targets are, of course, die-hard Fortnite fans who have the posters and bedding to match. The minimum age is listed as three, but the target age group should really be twelve and upwards. However, there are situations in which younger siblings might also pilfer them to play with.
Is it worth the money?
Good question. At CHF 111, the calendar is anything but affordable. And 24 mini dust collectors aren’t exactly much to show for it. However, compared to the cost of other official Fortnite merchandise, CHF 4.60 per mini character is really not a lot. So, if you’re the right recipient for the calendar, why not. Funko also offers other calendars.
Rating: 15 out of 24 doors
Moments of yogic relaxation
What does the manufacturer promise?
24 little breaks from your daily routine, whether you’re at home, at the office or on the go, and whether it’s the morning, lunchtime, or evening. Every day, there’s a short yoga exercise «for more serenity in the annual Christmas rush.»
What can it do?
Pretty much exactly what it claims. Every day, you’ll get a simple exercise that’s straightforward even for a complete yoga novice like me. Admittedly, it’s sometimes easier to understand the exercise than it is to do. Flexibility that was easy to come by in my younger days now needs a few exercises to get going.
Who is it right for?
The year is drawing to a close and Christmas is just around the corner. It’s the end of the month, quarter or year at work and time to buy presents for family and friends and plan Christmas parties. This time of year can be really stressful. A moment of relaxation would do me, you and virtually anyone good. So, this calendar could be suitable for pretty much anyone.
Is it worth the money?
We’re talking about 24 relaxation exercises that you can use to carve out little breaks far beyond advent for not a lot of money. That’s worth at least considering.
Rating: 20 out of 24 doors
A must for home baking – not just for Potterheads
What does the manufacturer promise?
What goes with advent like mulled wine at a Christmas market? What about home-baked biscuits? Or some other warming treat? You’ll find 24 recipes for indulgences like these in the Baking Book for Potterheads advent calendar. The inspiration comes from the magical world of Harry Potter. The baking calendar is aimed at seven years and older, meaning Harry Potter and baking fans both young and old.
What can it do?
Everything it promises and much more. If there’s something that you can never have too much of in your kitchen, it’s recipe books! All of the recipes promise snuggly sweet delight and feature attractive illustrations, so you can always see what your baking experiment should look like in the end.
Who is it right for?
Keen bakers are a safe bet. If they happen to be Potterheads as well, even better. But the latter isn’t strictly necessary. Because even though the recipes in the book are clearly inspired by the stories and characters in the Harry Potter books, they’re also fun all on their own. You’re obviously not going to try out the latest recipe each day. But, honestly, you pick up cooking and baking books whenever you need inspiration or just because they’re beautiful – well I do at least. Like this one.
Is it worth the money?
Yes, yes and yes.
Rating: 24 out of 24 doors
Manga drawing calendar – who is it actually for?
What does the manufacturer promise?
The clue’s in the name. We’re talking about Japanese manga comics here. You draw them (and colour them in) yourself. According to the description, the calendar provides «plenty of Christmas atmosphere». There’s no age recommendation in the product description.
What can it do?
The introduction makes sense, explaining at the outset what colours and techniques you need to draw manga. The problem is that you need to buy these separately if you don't have them already. There’s also an initial introduction to drawing and the anatomy of conventional manga figures before the very first door. Once you’ve read everything once and have the necessary equipment, you’re good to go. But, unfortunately, things get confusing from here on out. The calendar doesn’t really seem to know who it’s for. There are pages where you learn to draw faces, hands or eyes. Others provide templates for colouring in that need to be traced first. This means pulling the pages out of the book – which is easy enough, but leaves you with loose pages. So far, so suitable for beginners and even children. However, some pages contain incredibly difficult pictures that you’re supposed to copy freehand, which you can only manage if you’re an accomplished artist with experience in a number of drawing techniques. And, logically, that won’t change in just 24 days. I didn’t experience any of the promised Christmas spirit either.
Who is it right for?
Good question. Honestly, I haven’t got a clue. The book has pages that my six-year-old daughter thought were cool, but others would be a challenge even for me, and I have some degree of drawing skill. It offers something for beginners who want to take on faces, bodies and colouring in, but not enough. And although advanced artists will find ideas for subjects, there’s also a lot of superfluous material. It’s neither one thing nor the other.
Is it worth the money?
I can’t really say yes. Maybe there’s the perfect family where someone needs ideas for manga subjects, someone else wants to copy things and could do with an introduction and a younger child who just wants to colour things in. For said family, the calendar would definitely be worth it.
Rating: 10 out of 24 doors
Cute, colourful wooden toys and stories for little ones
Alternatives:
What does the manufacturer promise?
HABA advent calendars contain wooden toys rather than plastic ones for children aged two and upwards – which sounds like suitable fun for little ones. The manufacturer claims to offer «lovingly designed game material» and a story that children can «actively experience and replay». At first glance, the calendar and its wooden figures and animals look really cute and colourful.
What can it do?
Not only is the HABA calendar a gift; it also tells a story: the farm animals are celebrating Christmas with the forest animals and everyone has something to prepare. The children will find out exactly what as they open a door each day. Theoretically at least. Because the daily stories are too long for two-year-olds – more pictures in the accompanying booklet would help. They lose interest after the first few sentences and would rather just play with the figures on the in-built cardboard base. Although older children have longer attention spans for stories, the calendar contents will soon become boring for them. Nevertheless, playing (and reenacting the story) with an increasing cast of characters is really exciting – in other words, once children have amassed a base of animals.
Who is it right for?
The colourful figures make this product worth it as a first advent calendar for small children, whether they’re interested in the accompanying story or not. But beware of little nosy parkers who decide to look under the base. The contents of each door are revealed there.
Is it worth the money?
Yes, you can’t complain about getting 24 wooden characters for CHF 35.90. The animals can also be used after Christmas in a wooden farm or dollhouse.
Rating: 19 out of 24 doors
Oliver Fischer
Teamleader Editorial
Oliver.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.chGlobetrotter, hiker, wok world champion (not in the ice channel), word acrobat and photo enthusiast.