In my house, we hung an advent calendar each year, made of miniature gift bags filled with candy. I think it's a fun tradition for children that fosters their excitement for Christmas — as if they weren't already bursting at the seams. 
Although it's obviously a religious tradition, the countdown calendars can be used for all sorts of celebrations, like birthdays or even the election! That is, if the calendar itself isn't specifically Christmas-y in theme. For example, the Great Craft Disaster Advent Calendar ($45) is composed of 24 tiny fabric slippers, although Christmas fabrics in particular weren't used. Considering that I love anything mini, I can't get enough of this calendar! Each slipper has a numbered tag on it denoting the date, or the number of days left in the countdown. What do you think?
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how adorable! you could put little tiny gifts inside. My mother made advent calendars with little pockets for my sister and I when we were children. Now we just use cardboard chocolate advents, but it's a really nice thing to do with kids, and it's something we still enjoy as adults