Start a New Holiday Tradition with Fill Yourself Advent Calendars -- From Cookies, Small Surprise Toys, Bath Bombs and More -- You Decide What to Fill the Countdown Calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging With (Review)

 Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...," -- thanks to Christmas music playing in the car, I have had that song stuck in my head all day, singing it when prepping dinner, and now as I sit down to write more posts for my 15th annual holiday gift guide.  I have a whole day worth of posts dedicated to pampering gifts coming up, following by some great gifts for tweens/teens, before moving onto gifts for foodies, and then a day of gifts just for her.  I was sent so many wonderful products to review, many you probably have never heard about (I am excited to be the one to introduce you to different brands and products this year), so be sure to check back daily for new blog posts dropping, as I continue to fill my holiday gift guide for 2024.  

Seeing that I have Christmas on the brain and literally stuck in my head in song, I thought I would break from what I had originally planned to share today and share a few "Deck the Halls" (see what I did there :-) -- another song soon to be stuck in your head) gift ideas that will make getting into the holiday spirit that much more fun.  First up, I wanted to introduce you to Miss Cookie Packaging, as I bet many of you have probably never of heard this small business -- me included until just a few weeks ago.  

So, what is Miss Cookie Packaging, and why did I want to feature them?  Well, let me start by asking you a question.  Does your family like to count down to Christmas using advent calendars?  They could be chocolate filled, toy filled, etc.  Heck, they even advent calendars for your pets so that they can count down to Santa's arrival, too!  I loved the chocolate advent calendars as a kid, and so did my girls, until the toy-filled ones became popular...and pricey.  The going rate for many of the hot selling toy-filled advent calendars this year are $30+.  Speaking from experience, I know where many of the little trinket toys or building block pieces will wind up after the Christmas tree comes down...on the floor...before I throw them out.  Well, this year, we are trying something different and something I know my girls will like.  We are going to fill advent calendars with surprises we pick out for each other and keep a budget, as the whole idea of this is not to spend a lot, as we count down to Christmas.  What is so good about this new tradition we are looking to start is that the advent calendar fillers will be personalized to each of our likes, so we are bound to open each window to find something that will not only put a smile on our faces, but be something we enjoy.

This is where Miss Cookie Packaging comes in.  This small business makes advent calendar boxes that you can fill yourself.  

From cookie advent calendars for people and pets to ones that you can fill with surprises, there are so many fill yourself advent calendars to choose from.  They even offer fill your own birthday advent calendar boxes for those who like to add a little fun to counting down to your birthday. 

Available in Single ($8), 10-Pack ($65) or 20-Pack ($120) Quantities

We just did this calendar with my youngest who turned 13, and she loved her 12 days of surprises -- from jewelry, her favorite candy, nail polish, money, and small toys, each and every day was like her birthday as she opened a window to reveal a surprise gift. Even though they were small, they were all things she liked and it made for a fun way to welcome in her birthday.  She liked it so much that we plan to do it again next for her and our other daughter.  But, back to the holiday advents...check out a few examples of what Miss Cookie Packaging offers through their online website...

(Cookies not included)

Don't these fillable advent calendars look cute?  Compared to other advent boxes we have bought over the years filled with candy and toys, I have to say the fillable advent calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging are much more durable, colorful and the windows/doors are easier to open and close. 

"Every calendar is made of sturdy white food-safe paperboard that looks amazing.

 And each internal tray is made with a strong white cardboard designed to hold some serious weight."

While many of these advent calendars are intended to be filled with cookies, it is up to you on what you want to fill each of the 12 or 24 days with.  I was sent four advent calendars styles to sample and see up close, and already have plans to fill one with some of our family cookie recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, and gift it to my parents, as a fun way for them to get into the holiday spirit.  

Advent calendars aren't just for kids.  I, for one, picking up one or two of the chocolate ones at the stores to open alongside the girls each day.  But, instead of spending $$$ on chocolate filled advents this year, I will be filling one with some of my favorite gourmet candies and chocolates I pick up.   

I was also sent a Happy Pawlidays 12 day cookie advent for dogs, and will be getting in the kitchen this weekend with my oldest daughter, to make homemade dog biscuits and treats to fill the calendar with, so our two rescue dogs have an advent calendar to enjoy, too.  If you were to get a dog advent calendar in stores they will run you $15+ on average, and most of the treats are hard as a rock or ones your dog will not care for or that will give them tummy troubles.  Instead, you can bake up their favorite dog treats, or if you are pressed for time, fill the days with some of their favorite store-bought dog treats, and turn counting down to Christmas fun for your four-legged friend, too.

I am so happy I stumbled upon the Miss Cookie Packaging website, as now counting down to Christmas, Birthdays and special occasions will be even more fun and special with these fill yourself advent calendars.  I love supporting small businesses, and love how this business is a few towns over by me (who knew).  So, as you gear up for the holidays this year, why not consider skipping the overrated and overpriced advent calendars in stores, and instead support a small business by purchasing fill yourself advent calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging, and then have fun personalizing these calendars with treats, small gifts, cookies, candy and more for each member of your family. Then, get ready to count down to Christmas in a fun new way.  Even those stubborn tweens and teens who are too cool for things like advent calendars and partaking in family traditions will enjoy opening a door/window each day with the family, as you all count down to Christmas morning.  My two girls are so excited for their new advent calendars and can't wait to see what I filled them with.  

This would be a fun idea for kids away at college, or for those hard to stop for teens in your life -- fill the slots with gift cards from their favorite restaurant and retailers

December 1st is fast approaching, so don't delay in ordering your 12 or 24-day fill it yourself advent calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging.  There are so many great designs to choose from, so get ready to fill a cart, and support a small business in the process.  I can't wait to hear which styles you go with and what you plan to fill each fillable advent calendar with. So, be sure to head back to this post or tag on social media so I can see what you go with. 

 Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.