Advent Gifts for Children

Q: What does Advent mean?

Advent means "arrival" and comes from the Latin word adventus . In Christian tradition, Advent is the time to prepare for and anticipate Christmas. The Advent season includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and is associated by many families today with cozy traditions such as the Advent wreath, candlelight, and the joy of anticipation.

If you're looking for inspiration for Advent gifts for the children, you'll find various suggestions and great gift ideas for all Sundays in Advent here.

"I especially love advent gifts that lead to cozy moments afterward. When the gift becomes the start of play, creativity, or spending time together, it becomes part of the joyful anticipation throughout December." - Anja Lytzen, owner of Lirum Larum Leg

Advent Gifts for Children – Delightful Surprises in December

Advent gifts for children are a cherished December tradition that makes the wait for Christmas Eve a bit more magical. In many families, children receive an advent gift each Sunday of Advent, while others have their own unique traditions for when the gifts are given. What unites them is the joy of having something special to look forward to throughout December.

At Lirum Larum Leg, we've gathered inspiration for advent gifts for children, offering more variety than the traditional calendar gifts. It could be a creative set, a game, role-play toys, a construction kit, or another gift that the child can immerse themselves in for the rest of the Sunday—and, of course, continue to enjoy long after December.

What is an Advent gift?

An advent gift is traditionally a present given in connection with the four Sundays of Advent. This typically means four gifts during December leading up to Christmas. However, traditions vary from family to family; some give the gift in the morning, while others make it part of the afternoon Christmas festivities.

Advent gifts often differ from calendar gifts in that there are fewer of them, allowing each gift to be a bit more substantial. While an advent calendar generally consists of many small surprises, four advent gifts offer the opportunity to select fewer items with a bit more content and longer play value.

This can be a great solution if you want to create little highlights throughout December without a new gift every single day.

Discover our selection of calendar gifts.

Great advent gifts are based on the child's interests.

When searching for wonderful advent gifts for children, it's a great idea to start with what the child already loves. An advent gift doesn’t have to follow a Christmas theme – the most important thing is that it sparks joy and encourages play, creativity, or cozy moments together.

For children who love to draw, paint, and create, kreativt legetøj is an excellent option. A spil or puslespil can gather the whole family around the table on a dark December Sunday, while dukker og dukketilbehør opens up new possibilities in play the child already enjoys.

It's also a lovely idea to make the four advent gifts connect in a meaningful way. Perhaps every Sunday the child receives something that adds to an existing play universe, or you might mix creative activities, play, reading, and things you can enjoy together as a family.

Take a look at our gift guide

Meri Meri x Liberty guirlande, Jul - 1,2 m

Advent Gifts with Time for Play and Reflection

One of the special aspects of advent gifts is that they are often opened on a Sunday, when you might have a bit more time to actually enjoy the gift. This allows you to choose a present that invites immersion rather than just a small surprise.

A creative project can be started right away. A new construction set can be assembled during the afternoon, and a board game can set the stage for a cozy time together. If the child loves role play, new accessories for dolls, play food or figures can quickly become part of the day's stories and inspire hours of imaginative play.

More inspiration for December gifts

Inspiration for Advent Gifts for Different Children

Children have a wide variety of interests, and therefore, there isn't a single perfect advent gift. For some children, a new LEGO® set is one of the best things to unwrap on a Sunday morning. Others might prefer something for creative immersion, a new figure, a book, or accessories for their favorite doll.

When seeking inspiration for advent gifts, you might consider:

creative sets for drawing, painting, and other projects
smaller LEGO® sets and other construction toys
games and puzzles for cozy December days
figures and playsets for imaginative role play
dolls and accessories for an existing doll collection
books for read-aloud sessions or the child's own reading
costumes and accessories for role play

If you find it challenging to choose the right gift for the specific child you’re buying for, you can also use our gift guide for children to find inspiration by age and interest.

Four Advent Gifts that Build on Each Other

A fun way to plan advent gifts for children is to create a little thread through the four Sundays. If the child already has a favorite universe, each gift can gradually expand the play.

It could be, for example, a doll on the first Sunday and doll clothes or other accessories later in December. If the child loves Sylvanian Families, a new family, furniture, and other small additions can gradually expand the little world. Similarly, building sets, figures, and creative materials can be thoughtfully connected across the advent Sundays.

Of course, the gifts don't have to be connected. But this little connection can make the anticipation extra exciting, as the child discovers that the next advent gift might hold yet another piece for play.

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To små piger klædt ud som nisser med honningkage-rensdyr gevirer og nissekjoler.

Advent gifts are a wonderful way to start cherished December traditions.

For children, December is filled with anticipation, and the advent Sundays can serve as small milestones on the way to Christmas Eve. Perhaps the advent gift is opened in bed on Sunday morning. Maybe it sits on the breakfast table, or perhaps it appears after a family walk in the woods, when everyone is back home with rosy cheeks, ready for hot cocoa.

There isn't just one right way to give advent gifts. It's precisely the family's own traditions that make them special.

The gift can also be combined with a shared activity. A game can be opened and played that afternoon, a book can be read together, and creative materials can spark the beginning of a small Christmas workshop. In this way, the advent gift is not just about what's inside the package, but also about the moment that unfolds around it.

Explore games for children

Advent gifts as a part of the Christmas gift universe

Advent gifts are just one of the many cozy traditions the month of December brings. If you’re searching for small surprises to delight each day, we invite you to explore our selection of calendar gifts for children. Here, you’ll find charming little gifts that are perfect for the gift calendar.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for that special package to place under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our range of Christmas gifts for children.

This means you can tailor your gifts to your own family's holiday traditions: small calendar gifts throughout December, four slightly larger advent gifts – or maybe a mix that’s just right for your family.

Find Advent Gifts for Children at Lirum Larum Leg

At Lirum Larum Leg, you’ll discover advent gifts for children, carefully curated with a focus on enriching play, creativity, quality, and the joy of immersion. We have gathered gift ideas that are perfect for the four special Sundays of December, where the gift can offer just a little more than a daily calendar surprise.

Browse our selection and choose four advent gifts suited to the child’s interests – or simply start with the first one and let inspiration for the next come as December unfolds. After all, advent is not about the size of the gift, but about the anticipation, traditions, and those small moments that help make December truly special.

Explore Christmas decorations for children

Frequently Asked Questions About Advent Gifts for Children

What are advent gifts?

Advent gifts are traditionally given on the Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas. There are four Advent Sundays, and many families choose to give their children four Advent gifts throughout December.

When do you give Advent gifts?

Advent gifts are typically given on the four Sundays of Advent. Some children receive their gift on Sunday morning, while other families have their own traditions. There is no specific rule for when during the day the Advent gift should be given.

What is the difference between advent gifts and calendar gifts?

Calendar gifts typically consist of many small presents throughout December, while advent gifts are given less frequently—often once on each Advent Sunday. Therefore, many choose slightly larger or more substantial gifts as advent gifts.

What are great Advent gifts for children?

The best advent gifts are chosen with your child's interests in mind. These could be creative toys, building sets, games, puzzles, books, figures, doll accessories, or other toys that invite deep engagement and imagination.

How many Advent gifts is it customary to give?

Traditionally, four Advent gifts are given—one for each Sunday of Advent. However, some families do it differently, so the number naturally depends on your own traditions.

Do all four Advent gifts need to be of equal value?

No, gifts can certainly vary in both size and price. The most important thing is to find something that suits the child and aligns with how you celebrate Advent.

Can the advent gifts be coordinated?

Yes. It can be a fun idea to have the four advent gifts build upon the same play universe. For instance, the child might first receive a figure or doll, followed by accessories, clothing, or other parts that enhance play throughout December.

Where can I find inspiration for Advent gifts for children?

Explore our selection of advent gifts or visit our gift guide for children, where you can find additional gift inspiration based on age and interests.

What does Advent mean?

Advent means "arrival" and comes from the Latin word adventus. In Christian tradition, Advent is the time to prepare for and anticipate Christmas. The Advent season includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and is associated by many families today with cozy traditions such as the Advent wreath, candlelight, and the joy of anticipation.

Why do we give gifts during Advent?

Giving advent gifts is a charming Christmas tradition embraced by many families. Typically, children receive a gift on each of the four Advent Sundays as part of the anticipation leading up to Christmas Eve. However, there are no strict rules—some families opt for advent gifts, others prefer an advent calendar, and some blend different December traditions.

When is the first Sunday of Advent?

The first Sunday of Advent always falls on a Sunday between November 27 and December 3. Therefore, the date changes from year to year, but Advent always includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

What can you give children as an Advent gift?

A great Advent gift for children can be a bit more substantial than a typical calendar gift. This might include a creative kit, a game, a construction set, a book, figures, or accessories for a play universe the child already loves. Consider the child's interests and choose something that will bring joy and play throughout the rest of the Advent Sunday.

Advent Gifts for Kids