For men
24 ideas for a man’s Advent calendar
For your boyfriend, husband, dad or brother: 24 little surprises that are just like him, with no gadget that ends up at the back of a drawer.
The first note
Three reasons, as if handwritten, why he matters to you.
The “lie-in” voucher
Valid one weekend: you handle everything, he gets up at noon.
His song
The track he sang at 16, or the one from your first gig together.
The quiz about him
His first bike, his favourite dish, his worst haircut: score at the end.
The scratch-off photo
Him as a kid, or the two of you ten years ago, revealed with a fingertip.
Today’s challenge
Call an old friend, cook something new, do 20 push-ups.
A day out
A match, a gig, an escape room: the date, the place, and “Add to my calendar”.
The “game night” voucher
Sofa, pizza, and nobody touches the remote.
Cooking together
Homemade burgers or Sunday bread: the things to tick off and the steps.
A message from his friends
His mates leave him a voice message, recorded on the sly.
The hidden gift
A craft beer or a book, hidden in the garage, with a clue.
The riddle
Three questions, and the last answer leads to tonight’s surprise.
The countdown
To the weekend you planned together, or to his birthday.
The memory
The photo of your first trip, and what happened that day.
The “one chore less” voucher
You take the bins out all week, or you wash the car.
The playlist
Ten tracks for his Monday morning drive.
The brain teaser
A joke to guess, with the answer on the back of the card.
The year in numbers
Your year: miles travelled, matches watched, fits of laughter.
Breakfast
Good for breakfast in bed, coffee just how he likes it.
The cult film
The one he’s wanted you to watch for years: tonight, it’s a yes.
A message from the kids
A drawing, or their voices saying “Merry Christmas!”.
Fresh air
A walk, a bike ride or a run: the route and the start time.
The letter
A real note, a bit longer, to tell him how much he means.
The big day
On the 24th, a riddle that leads to the real present, and the puzzle photo finally complete.
Tip: alternate doors that make him laugh with doors that move him. A few words are enough, he doesn’t need a novel.
Put them in a 3D calendar
All these ideas fit in our 3D Advent calendar: you fill the doors (or start from a ready-written template), and the person you love opens one each day, on their phone.