Melissa & Doug Advent Calendar Review: Worth Reusing?
A wooden tree, magnetic ornaments and a star for the last day, all stored in a box at the base. The reusable calendar many families bring out every year.
Yes, for a family that wants a calendar to reuse every December. Kids add one magnetic ornament a day until the tree is full and the star goes on top [1]. Skip it if the kids expect a treat or a toy behind every door; this one has none.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 28, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Type | Magnetic wooden advent calendar [1] |
| Pieces | Wooden tree, 24 magnetic ornaments, 1 star [1] |
| Storage | Attached wooden ornament box [1] |
| Extra | Holiday poem on the back [1] |
| Material | Wood [1] |
| Ages | 3 and up [1] |
| Brand | Melissa & Doug [1] |
Pros and cons
- Nothing to keep or eat behind the doors
- Small magnetic pieces need adult eyes with toddlers
- Older kids may lose interest after a few years
A tree that fills up by Christmas
The set is a wooden tree with magnetic ornaments and a shining star for Christmas Day [1]. Each morning a child picks an ornament and places it on the tree, following the numbered outlines [1].
When the month is over, every piece goes back into the wooden box attached at the base [1]. That box is the reason the set survives years in the attic.
Wood also survives what cardboard does not: a toddler leaning on it, a dog brushing past the table, a box squashed in storage. It looks the same in year five as in year one, which is what you want from a keepsake.
The calendar that comes back every year
Cardboard calendars go in the recycling after Christmas. This one gets unpacked again next December, which is how a calendar turns into a family tradition.
Melissa & Doug pitches it for ages 3 to 10, as hands-on, screen-free play [1]. A preschooler can handle the magnets alone, and an older child can take charge of the star.
No surprise behind the door
The honest catch: there is no treat. A child raised on chocolate calendars may ask where the actual present is, and some families add a small sweet on the side.
The ornaments are also small and magnetic. Keep them away from babies and toddlers who still put things in their mouths, and count them back into the box in January.
Some kids decide the ornaments are toys and move them around all day. Let them; the numbered outlines put the tree back together in a minute.
Making it a family ritual
The holiday poem on the back is there for a read-aloud before the first ornament [1]. It is a small thing, but it gives the morning a little ceremony.
From the same guide, it pairs well with the Lindt Teddy Chocolate Advent Calendar if the kids still want a treat, or with the Playmobil Christmas Baking Advent Calendar for a toy that builds alongside the tree.
FAQ
Is the Melissa & Doug advent calendar reusable?
Yes. It is a wooden tree with magnetic ornaments and a star, and all the pieces store in the attached box at the base [1]. Families bring the same set out every December, so the cost spreads over many years instead of one month [1]
What age is the Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas calendar for?
The listing pitches it as a gift for 3 to 10 year olds and lists the age range as 3 and up [1]. Younger kids enjoy placing the magnets, while older kids like being in charge of the star. Keep the small pieces away from toddlers [1]
Does the wooden advent calendar have treats inside?
No. The doors are replaced by magnetic ornaments, so there is nothing to eat or keep [1]. Some families tuck a small sweet next to it each morning, or pair it with a chocolate calendar. For many parents, the lack of candy is the reason they buy it [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 28, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.