Advent Calendars - too early?

I got the Spellbinders one last year, the 24-days, and while I loved opening up a new door every day, I have not used any of the items that were in it yet! They aren't even on my radar when I'm looking for something to use. I need to get them out and put them on a magnetic board in a pouch or something, so I see them.

I'm interested in the Stitchmas one, but $75 is giving me pause... Is that how much they were last year?

While I love Taylored Expressions stuff, $90 is not worth it to me. 

I pre-ordered the Spellbinders one months ago. Didn't want to miss out. Last year was my first time, I got my mom and I each one and we had so much fun opening each little compartment. Did we wait each day? Heck no, we dug in the first chance we could get.

I’ve never ordered a crafty one (only a jam one). The last couple of years we had trips planned so it didn’t make sense for me. I also don’t think I’d ever use most of the items since I didn’t choose them myself and they tend to be small. I have enough trouble using what I actually buy! I would definitely need to put things together or somehow catalog and integrate them into my stash.

I am intrigued by the Stitchmas idea… but not $75 intrigued.
ETA: for 12 tiny projects?! I think I’d rather spend that one a couple of nice stitching sets from the shop.

I got the regular SB calendar in 2022 and the SB stitching calendar in 2023. While in theory I like "surprises" and happy mail in general, I haven't used anything other than the confetti sequins. IIRC, the stitching dies were bigger than the regular advent dies. I didn't care for the smaller sized dies included in the regular calendar, so I would not do that one again. I'm on the fence for the stitching calendar for this year - I will probably sign up as I like the sneaks included.

I feel like the TE calendar was panned the last couple of years. I don't remember seeing any positive reviews of it, at least not shared here. Does anyone remember differently?

Anna Griffin will be selling her first ever advent calendar in the fall. It is shaped like a giant tag and the sections contains dies, cardstock, ribbons and embellishments to make a variety of gift tags. She gave a quick sneak preview during a recent members only holiday show on her private streaming platform. I pre-ordered it for about $90. It is pricy but I am a big AG fan and I plan to host a tag making party with some friends. I don't know if she will open it up to sell to non-members.

I had a lot of fun with the advent calendar from Spellbinders last year and did look on it as more of an activity because my mom and I opened each day together and made stuff almost every time. That said, now it's over and I haven't used those products. I donated some to the stamp and die round robin. Some to another crafty friend. So it was worth it as a fun thing to do once with my mom, but probably won't do it again.

I got the spellbinders one last year. I really enjoyed opening it each day. Even though I’m like the others and haven’t used any of it, I will get it this year too.

I got the Spellbinders one in 2022, and I loved opening it every day. I haven't used any of it, even though I thought the products were very usable. I just have to put them on my desk so I remember to use them. I'm reorganizing my stamps and dies and pulling out a few that I forgot about that I want to use, so fingers crossed!

I also got the Taylored Expressions one in 2022. I was so disappointed - and I love TE, so I hate saying that. For me, the value wasn't there, and there were only about 4 things I'd use. I don't know what her 2023 calendar was like, maybe it gets better each year.

Last year I got Ali Edwards', and it was awesome, I really loved it - but it's for scrapbooking, not card making. It was by far my favourite. I'll get it again this year.

joblackford, was it the Bonne Maman jam calendar you got? That's on my Wishlist for this year. I will for sure actually use that one!

I'm intrigued by the Anna Griffin one that pepperwood mentioned, but I'm not a member on her site. I'll keep an eye out for it.

I'm looking for a few Advent Calendars this year as my husband and son will be out of town for most of December so I'll need to make sure I have something to look forward to each day.

YES! I got it mid-year from Amazon. The little jars were just enough for 2 of us to each have on an English muffin and it was fun to try all the different flavors. A nice treat, for sure. We lined the jars up on a windowsill until the New Year and then I gave them all away to people for crafting and/or organizing. So so cute, but so many!

We should pair off and make Advent calendars to swap. I surely have enough stuff here to make 25 small bags of gifts LOL.

I did 12 days of Christmas for my friends. It was fun.

Cute idea, but I think you would have to have some kind of rule about the items so its fair to everyone.
Example: how many die sets, stamps sets, ephemera packs full or just 10 pieces. Brand name only or knock offs allowed.
I feel like it can get complicated.

I'm chickening out on the Advent Calendar. LOL! I'm just too afraid that I'll spend $55 and get a bunch of stuff I don't want.