Inspire Advent Calendar Review

Reviewed by Liz Squires

With the last 18 months to 2 years being (for want of a better phrase) a total ‘write off’, it’s fair to say that Christmas generally tends to be a favourite time of year for many. The last 2 Christmases have been a struggle for many families for a multitude of reasons whether it be due to Covid as an illness, isolation through lockdowns or Covid affecting people’s income. Mental health and the Environmental crisis are currently at the forefront of peoples minds and with Christmas only – dare I say it – 6 weeks away, I thought it only fitting to find an alternative advent calendar this year, that genuinely spreads Christmas cheer far and wide, whilst protecting the environment from further plastic pollution and saving the waistline from 25 days of chocolate.

Inspire Charity has created an advent calendar that does exactly that. Their vision is clear and the ultimate goal of the task is wonderful. I pride myself on paying it forward and I genuinely believe in random acts of kindness, and their unimaginably positive impact they can have on someone’s day or even life.

The beautifully presented calendar is made of thin ply wood and can be reused over and over again. The idea is that for every day of the holiday season you commit a random act of kindness, injecting happiness into someone else’s day and making yourself feel fantastic at the same time. With acts from “call someone you are missing” to “donate a toy to a charity” there are 25 days of love, peace and caring activities, that the whole family can get involved in. I try and teach my children that their actions impact on other people and that it is up to us to care for those less fortunate than us. This Inspire Charity advent calendar helps drive that message home in a positive non-invasive way.

Inspire Advent Tree was created by Ben and Caroline Floyd at the beginning of the Covid lockdown, as a way of teaching their children how important it is to spread kindness and to help others, not unlike myself, which is why I love this product so much. There is a lot of cardboard in the original packaging which I do believe could be reduced, however, the wooden design of the tree and magnetic advent days, makes up for it as it can be reused so often. The tree and acts of kindness can be stored in quaint little tie top hessian style bags, which again reduces cardboard and use of plastic which from an environmental point of view I absolutely love. I think if people were open to this sort of product the world could genuinely be a much better much kinder place. Kindness and mindfulness start at home and it’s important that adults pave the way and set a good example for our children and the future generations.

Inspire have stated that there will be more products available for year-round seasonal events, meaning that kindness is not just for Christmas. With the added bonus that 100% of the profits from all sales goes to ‘best beginnings’ charity I cannot recommend this product enough. The charity helps support families all over the UK providing children with the best possible start in life.

Rating: 4/5

The Inspire Advent Tree retails for £45 and is available from Inspire Charity here.