Nativity Chocolate Advent Calendar

My daughter asked what the advent calendar was, I had explained it to her. She asked for one, so I thought it would be a good idea. It looks exactly how it was described. Picture are very clear, the chocolate tastes pretty good. Perfect size and fun to open every night for a treat. Money well spent

This advent calendar is what advent is all about. Loved to spend quality time with my partner while we read a Bible verse each day.

We first looked for Advent paper calendars in our local stores. Most of what we found were $12-20, non-religious (i.e. Spongebob)and no candy included.I found this one on Amazon for around $6 in pre-holiday 2013 and added it to an existing order to take advantage of the free shipping. (Amazon's current price is around $1 higher than ordering direct from Vermont Christmas Company). Chocolate can be a risk, however, the chocolates were fresh and a plastic backpiece kept them aligned to the right doors. I've since thrown out the packaging, however, I thought ours said it was made in the US.The one we received had 24 numbered doors on it. Inside each door was a biblical verse and a piece of chocolate around the size of a nickel. The biblical verses were not particularly kid-friendly so I used it as more of a prompt for what to talk to my kids about on that day. The chocolates were in different shapes and just perfect for the kids. I wasn't keen on the flavor profile of this particular milk chocolate; however, my kids absolutely loved it.If the plastic mold holding the chocolate was sturdier, I would've tried to reuse it to make our own chocolate since the pieces were a good size.I would order this again. Depending on what you're looking to spend, I also noticed that Vermont Christmas Company does some nice looking fabric, wooden and wood-magnet advent calendars in addition to other items. Only some of their items appear to be available on Amazon at this time.

Ok, here's the bottom line - the chocolate sucks and the packaging is awful. All the chocolates ALWAYS fall to the bottom, so you have to unseal the box, match all the chocolates to their original slot, tape the box back up, and then lie it flat somewhere so you don't have to repeat the process all over again. Then you try one of the chocolates and wonder why you even bothered in the first place - they taste like cardboard.BUT - you buy them year after year because it's the ONLY chocolate advent calendar that comes with a nativity scene. I mean seriously, Vermont Catholic Chocolate Company, who have you bribed to be the ONLY manufacturer of these things?!HOWEVER - I've found a work around, so I'm passing it on in case it helps anyone else. You're still going to have to undo the box and remove the plastic tray. Take all the old chocolates out and throw them in the trash where they belong... THEN take some good quality chocolate, melt it in the microwave and pour into the newly vacated chocolate mold! Not only do they stay put but they actually taste good! I use Ghirardelli, but any high quality chocolate will do.You're welcome! And Merry Christmas!

it's been a while since i'd had an advent calendar. this calendar is an image of the nativity scene. the artistic style is - i'm no expert - ummm, maybe friendly for kids and animated. this calendar contains 24 "doorways" - we open 1 door each day to reveal a prize piece of chocolate and a short bible verse on the back of the door. the chocolate is of good quality - it's not REALLY decadent like godiva or european chocolates. you have to hunt around for the numbers. it arrived quickly and safely. if you're getting it for the chocolate, just get yourself 9 candy bars instead. likewise, if you're getting it for the nativity scene, just spend $20 for a nice, used nativity scene. i'd also purchased a "santa's workshop" advent calendar for 1/2 the price which has about the same quality of chocolate and, in my opinion, better artistic quality. i give everything which i review a grade, and i believe that this nativity advent calendar merits a grade of "B+". i'd recommend it for families or organizations that wish to celebrate in a more traditional fashion the holidays. i myself have already broken this challenge - who can eat and read JUST ONE candy / reading a day and not sneak into the next day(s)?

I purchased this to add excitement and anticipation to Christmas. Its one of the more attractive manger scenes out there as far as advent calendars go. It arrived quickly and in great shape. I popped out the number 1 door and ate the first chocolate early so I could review this product better. It was satisfactory, not Swiss chocolate which is the best in the world and not that cheap crud you get in candy boxxes from drugstores with no flavor.The numbers on the calendar aren't super easy to find, that will help add interest for kids and the tabs are relatively easy to open. But be warned...chocolates in fun little doors just begging to be opened are a huge draw for kids. I ransacked my family's advent calendar when I was little because it was there where I could reach it and it was just too tempting. I have mine hanging high so my visiting neices and nephews don't get the same idea.Good buy overall. Such a fun thing for families and even fun for personal use.