This year I’m continuing to look at the different advent calendars available this December. Gibsons Games asked us if we would like to review their puzzle advent calendar. The Gibsons Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar has a lovely theme portraying Christmas traditions from around the world.
*This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. The Our Little Escapades Amazon Storefront contains all of the items we have reviewed. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
About The Gibsons Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar
Inside the Gibsons advent calendar, you will discover 22 puzzles illustrated by Claire McElfatrick. Not only does every puzzle celebrate Christmas traditions from around the world they each take a festive shape. This can be either a Christmas tree, snowman, bauble or stocking. Using the glue and ribbon that also comes in the advent calendar you can turn the puzzles into Christmas decorations.
What Will You Find Inside?
I have listed the advent calendar’s contents below with photos. In total there are 24 doors to open. If you want to keep the contents a surprise don’t read anymore!
I have also created a full unboxing video on our YouTube channel which you will find at the bottom of this post.
Day 1 celebrates the Oxford Street Christmas Lights in England
Day 2 contains a pot of puzzle glue
Day 3 illustrates a Szopka from Kraków in Poland
Szopka is a nativity scene. It dates back fro the 19th century when craftsmen make beautiful nativity scenes using historic Polish buildings as the backdrop.
Day 4 celebrates Christmas Day on the beach in Australia
Day 5 illustrates St. Nicholas’ Day in The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, gifts are given on the 5th of December. This is the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day. Children put out clogs filled with hay and a carrot for St. Nicholas’ horse in the hope he will leave them sweets and small presents in return.
Day 6 contains Ribbon
Day 7 celebrates Reindeers in Lapland
Day 8 illustrates Mummering in Canada
Mummering is a 300-year tradition that takes place on the Canadian island of Newfoundlands. Groups of friends visit neighboring houses disguising their faces and becoming Mummers. This gives them the freedom to act in fun and surprising ways.
Day 9 illustrates Christmas Apples from China
Day 10 illustrates The Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines
Day 11 illustrates decorating a Banana Tree in India
Day 12 illustrates the Legend of Nisse and Tomte from Nordic Countries
The Tomte are mythological creatures from Nordic folklore. They are said to be responsible for protecting the household. Today they are associated with the Christmas season delivering gifts. It is customary to leave them a bowl of Christmas porridge with butter.
Day 13 celebrates St. Lucia Day in Scandinavia
St. Lucia Day is a Christian feast day commemorating Lucia of Syracuse, a 14th Century martyr.
Day 14 illustrates the tradition of Christmas pantomime in the United Kingdom
Day 15 illustrates the New Year Fireworks in Russia
Day 16 celebrates Gingerbread Houses from Europe
Day 17 celebrates Los Reyes Magos a Spanish Tradition
Los Reyes Magos is the tradition of The Three Wise Men. They bring children presents on the eve of the Christian festival of Epiphany on January the 5th. The Wise Men parade through the streets throwing sweets and treats to the children.
Day 18 illustrates Ice Skating at the Rockafeller Center in New York City
Day 19 celebrates the Christmas Carnival season in the Caribbean
Day 20 illustrates and Arpillera Nativity Scene from South America
Arpillera’s are collages that combine patchwork, applique and embroidery.
Day 21 illustrates Christmas Markets in Europe
Day 22 illustrates the Christmas Feast
Day 23 celebrates the Paper Lantern tradition from Argentina
Day 24 celebrates Jolabokaflod the ‘Yule Book Flood’ from Iceland
During the Jolabokaflod season, people exchange books on Christmas eve. They spend the evening reading books and eating chocolates.
My Thoughts On The Gibsons Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar
I really enjoyed discovering the contents of this advent calendar. Each puzzle is made really well and has its own level of difficultly. I love the shapes of the puzzles and the fact that they also double up as Christmas decorations. The back of the puzzles have different colours and designs making them double-sided, perfect for displaying on trees. This is the perfect advent calendar for any puzzling fan.
DISCLOSURE – We received the Gibsons Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar as a gift. This was for the purposes of this post and to create our YouTube video. We always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, and experiences of the products we receive.
