Melvin House Wooden Advent Calendar with Light - Beige

This is a wooden advent calendar shaped like a little house, made from plywood in a soft beige, with a pitched roof, a chimney and cut-out stars across the gable. Under the roof, an arched window opens onto a layered winter scene of snowy fir trees, bare branches, little fences and a deer, and with the light on the whole scene glows warm from within while the stars shine through the wood. Below it sit 24 numbered drawers, each with a round knob, for counting down the days to Christmas. It stands 34cm tall and 36cm long, and at 10cm wide and 0.8KG it is shallow and light enough for a narrow shelf.

That slim depth means it fits where a deeper calendar would not: a windowsill, a sideboard, a hallway console or the top of a bookcase. It suits a household that likes a small daily ritual through December, with someone opening the next drawer each morning, and it is just as welcome in a living room for anyone who loves a lit scene on dark winter afternoons. Fill the drawers with little surprises such as tiny gifts, handwritten notes, tree decorations or clues for a treasure hunt; because the drawers can be refilled, it can come out again each winter.

The calendar is 100% plywood with a lacquer finish. Plywood is made from thin sheets of wood bonded together, which keeps it light and stable, and here it is cut into separate layers so the scene has real depth from the front trees to the backdrop. The drawers slide fully out of the base, which makes filling them easy. The maker's assembly instructions come as a PDF download. As a styling note, give it a little space of its own rather than crowding it with other pieces, and turn the light on in the late afternoon so the window glows as the day draws in.

Assembly instructions (PDF)

What is the advent calendar made of?

It is made from 100% plywood with a lacquer finish, cut into layers for the house front, the trees and the winter scene inside the arch.

How big is it?

It is 36cm long, 10cm wide and 34cm tall and weighs 0.8KG, so it sits comfortably on a windowsill or a narrow shelf.

Does it light up?

Yes. The winter scene inside the arched window lights up with a warm glow, and the light also shines through the cut-out stars on the gable.

How many drawers does it have?

There are 24 drawers, numbered 1 to 24, one for each day of the countdown to Christmas, and each slides fully out to be filled.

What can I put in the drawers?

Tiny gifts, folded notes, small tree decorations or treasure hunt clues all suit the little drawers, and they can be refilled for next year.

What powers the light?

It runs on two AA batteries, which are not included, so have them ready before you set it out.