By KIM COOK, Associated Press

Not so many years ago, a typical advent calendar was a basic cardboard box containing some chocolates or other candies behind little daily windows.

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Today, advent calendars have evolved into creatively designed collections that dispense items ranging from pet toys to soaps, fishing equipment to art supplies. They make for festive decor, and appeal to our love of ritual, surprise and small things.

Of course, if you’re gifting an advent calendar, you’ll want to give it early, in time for your recipients to count down the days to Christmas or a milestone.

Here are some countdown calendars that cater to different interests when promising daily doses of joy.

For pet people

Because they’ve been (mostly) good boys and girls this year, consider a daily treat calendar for the household’s pets.

Petco’s got Merry Makings’ feline calendar, with 12 days of catnip goodies and toys behind the doors of a cute cottage. There’s one for dogs, too, with biscuits, chewies and small plush toys. $25-$30.

New York-based dog-snack maker Bocce’s Bakery has a 12-day calendar containing their signature wheat-, corn- and soy-free treats, made with ingredients like peanut butter, banana and chickpeas. $14.

A cat calendar at Trader Joe’s has freeze-dried sweet potato and salmon treats, while their dog version is all about the chicken — also freeze-dried. $7.99.

For gardeners makers

What nature lover wouldn’t love a pretty calendar with different kinds of flower seeds? Terrain has a box of seven seed bombs, each packaged in a decorative ornament — bees, butterflies, bunnies and birds among them. Hang them on the tree until planting season, then watch your pot or garden as chamomile, clovers, coriander, marigold and other pollinator-friendly wildflowers greet the spring. $48.

Needlecraft artist Amanda Watson in Bend, Oregon, created a calendar you stitch yourself — one new design each day from Dec. 1 through Christmas. It’s an embroidery project even newbies can handle, and the finished artwork could be framed, or turned into a tote or pillow. $45.

A fun one for crafty kids: Mondo Llama’s 25 Days of Christmas Crafts calendar, with all the sticks, foam and felt pieces, mini markers, googly eyes and more to make a bunch of cute holiday crafts. $30.

This image released by Target shows Mondo Llama’s 25 Days of Christmas Crafts calendar. (Target via AP)

Slots in Uncommon Goods’ Craft Project calendar hold your finished buildings so you can assemble a colorful village to display throughout the holidays; the kit includes paint markers, watercolors, glittery gel pens and more. $95.

Indoor and outdoor fun

Kids 8 and up would have a great time messing around with the Experiment a Day Science Advent Calendar from Thames & Kosmos, a science education-focused toys and games company. Supplies are included for chemistry, biology and physics experiments. Uncommon Goods. $40.

Also from Thames & Kosmos is an advent calendar version of its escape-room board games. Exit: The Game involves an intergalactic race, and each day offers a clue to get to the end. $49.95.

Colitt has a calendar for fishing fans: 24 reusable lures come in a calendar box featuring a fierce denizen of the deep on the cover. $54.99.

The Purple Cow’s 24 Family Games calendar has brainteasers, dice, and outdoor and nostalgic activities for the gang to enjoy. $40.

This image released by Target shows Centric Beauty’s “Wicked”-themed advent calendar. (Target via AP)

And for those who love “Wicked,” there’s Centric Beauty’s “Wicked”-themed advent calendar, with sparkly, shimmery balms, powders and stick-ons for lips, eyes and nails. $16.49.

For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.

By SHAWN CHEN, AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s the most wonderful time of the year, unless you want to find the perfect gifts for tech lovers.

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There’s a lot of slop to sift through as we get closer to the holidays, many interests to appeal to and a whole bunch of deals-that-aren’t-deals flashing before our screens. So here’s a guide — and some sales — to help you get started on your gift shopping journey.

For your gamers

The Nintendo Switch 2 was the biggest and most anticipated console launch of 2025, and if history is any indication, it will be increasingly harder to find as Christmas approaches. But for the gamers in your life — both young and adult — this is the gift to get.

Nintendo’s Black Friday deals for the console and games have been announced but the best bang for your buck may be the console bundles. The Switch 2 is still available as just the console only for $449 or bundled with Mario Kart World for $499. A new $499 bundle is now available where the console is packaged with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Games retail for about $70 a piece, so you do save a little with bundles.

Need a new iPhone?

An iPhone 17 is displayed at Apple Park in Cupertino, Calif., on Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max captured the headlines this year when the new lineup launched, but the base iPhone 17 received an upgraded camera (telephoto lens), more base storage and a longer battery life. Given the price for this model hasn’t changed, you’re straight up getting more tech for the same price. If your gift recipient’s current iPhone is a few generations behind, this is a good time to consider an upgrade.

What about AI? The iPhone 17 doesn’t make as many leaps into the technology as its predecessor, but the new iOS and processer prepares the phone for any advancements that may come in 2026. The iPhone 17 retails at $800.

Or maybe you’d like a foldable phone?

A Galaxy Z Fold 7 is displayed during a Samsung preview event in New York on July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

If you or someone in your life has ever been curious about a foldable phone, consider Samsung’s newest Galaxy Z Fold 7 model. This phone solves many of the issues users have been concerned about since fold phones hit the market: It’s much thinner and lighter than its predecessors — 0.17 inches thick when unfolded and less than half an inch folded — and it weighs slightly less than half a pound, impressive considering they boosted the size of all the screens.

But the price of a fold phone remains steep compared to the flagship iPhone and Galaxy devices. The Z Fold 7 currently is running a sale on its site but normally retails starting at $1,999.

Planning to shoot more video or pictures?

The SelfieShow Tripod & Selfie Stick is displayed in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Donald King)

For anyone interested in doing more filming or photography with their mobile device, this supremely portable tripod by SelfieShow offers solid stability even when extended to its max height of 71 inches. The mounting arm also offers a wide array of positioning for shooters on the go. And the rig can collapse into a retractable selfie stick for even more functionality and portability.

This portable tripod retails for $19.99.

Recording clearer audio

Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Microphone is displayed in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Donald King)

For aspiring influencers, podcasters or vloggers in your life, try these wireless microphones by Hollyland. The Lark M2 Wireless Microphone mics are easy to use, have good range and do well in filtering out background noise. You can easily attach these to clothes for interviews or even hold them for the tiny mic lifestyle. Best of all, it comes with two mics per order.

These mics are currently on sale for $76.

There’s always someone who wants a TV

This image shows the Samsung’s S90F OLED TV. (Samsung Electronics America via AP)

For those TV lovers who just want a little more for their gaming or cinematic experience, consider Samsung’s S90F OLED TV. This higher-end TV offers excellent contrast, colors and Ethernet performance. It also can act as a giant monitor if you want to plug your PC/gaming console into it, offering VRR support up to 144Hz on all four of its HDMI ports. For those who like to add sound systems or other peripherals to their TV, it also offers an additional three USB-A ports and one USB-C port.

Normally this TV retails around $1,800, but an ongoing holiday promo (until Dec. 1) puts it, at 55 inches, at $1,199.99.

Typing on the go

This image shows Logitech’s Pebble 2 wireless keyboard and mouse combo. (Logitech via AP)

Portability is core to the Logitech Pebble 2 wireless keyboard and mouse combo. This minimalist and highly functional offering by Logitech will satisfy on-the-go users who are looking for a silent, but still tactile, Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. It also offers a one-tap, multi-device switching option if you’ve already paired it with said devices — which include Android tablets and Apple iPads in addition to laptops — a great feature if you’re multitasking.

The combo comes in several colors and retails for $49.99. If you’re OK with black, Walmart has a deal for $42.

For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.

By KATIE WORKMAN, Associated Press

A gift doesn’t have to be big or pricy to feel thoughtful. Instead of the usual bottle of wine, give something that makes your recipient feel truly seen: a little edible treasure that nods to their hometown, heritage or favorite trip from years ago.

It’s a deliciously personal way to say “I know you.”

Regional condiments are like souvenirs, celebrating local flavors. A jar of barbecue sauce, a bottle of hot sauce or a regional mayo can tell a story and capture the essence of a place. Here’s a handful of beloved sauces, spreads, jams and more that make tasty and personal small gifts.

The condiments generally hover around the $10 to $15 mark, making them an economical pick.

Hot sauces and BBQ staples

Adoboloco hot sauces, from Hawaii’s island of Maui, carry a tropical punch with bold island chiles, perfect for grilled fish or roasted veggies. The ingredient lists are short and the peppers are grown in Hawaii itself.

In the South, Big Bob Gibson’s barbecue sauces, from Decatur, Alabama, are known for their smoky, tangy flavor, with the Original White Sauce a mainstay (especially on smoked chicken).

Pitmasters at Franklin Barbecue, in Austin, Texas, offer sauces and rubs that are rich, bold and unmistakably Texan.

Also hailing from Austin are Yellowbird hot sauces — the organic habanero and serrano hot sauces and the Classic Blue Agave Sriracha are particularly beloved.

For a taste of South America, Tari hot sauces from Peru showcase native peppers, such as aji amarillo and rocoto, both grown in the Andes. The ingredients are ground on a traditional batan (a stone mortar), creating sauces with a bright and fruity (not scorching) heat that elevates dishes from grilled meats to vegetables.

Specialty condiments

Duke’s Mayo is a century-old Southern classic, now based in Mauldin, South Carolina. It uses just the yolks of eggs (no whites) for extra richness, and has two kinds of vinegar for extra zing. The mayonnaise adds tang and creaminess to sandwiches, potato salads and more. (Some fans have even gotten mayo tattoos promoted by Duke’s — that’s brand loyalty.) Duke’s is generally available nationwide, but isn’t as much of a household name as Hellman’s and Kraft outside the South.

The rich texture and subtle umami punch of the Japanese Kewpie mayo have inspired a global following. It also uses just the yolks of the eggs, and also includes rice vinegar and a dash of MSG. Put it on sushi or okonomiyaki, or use it as a base for dressings.

Handmade small-batch condiments like Auntie Rana’s, made in New York’s Hudson Valley and in Maine, and inspired by South and Southeast Asian flavors, can bring a family-rooted touch to meals. Think Naga garlic mayo, mango achaar and smoked chili oil.

Jams and preserves

For fruit lovers, American Spoon, in Petoskey, Michigan, delivers artisanal preserves and sauces perfect for toast, charcuterie boards or baking gifts. Michigan cherry fans might swoon over a jar of their famous sour cherry preserves, and their Red Haven peach preserves feature hand-peeled peaches grown specifically for American Spoon.

Related Articles

Fishing lures. Pet toys. Art supplies. Advent calendars offer personalized ways to count down

A medley of tech gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list

Puzzles? Sports? Birdsong? The variety of new nonfiction means there’s something for everyone

These 2025 children’s books make great holiday gifts for every age group

Literary calendar for week of Nov. 16

Marmalade Grove makes beloved citrus marmalades in Ojai, California. Handpicked pixie tangerines, Cara Cara oranges infused with hibiscus, Meyer lemons and honey — each flavor captures the sunny citrus of the area.

From San Francisco, We Love Jam offers seasonal, small-batch jams such as their popular Blenheim apricot jam, made from one of the last remaining orchards of these endangered apricots.

Katie Workman writes regularly about food for The Associated Press. She has written two cookbooks focused on family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at https://themom100.com/. She can be reached at Katie@themom100.com.

For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.

By LEANNE ITALIE, Associated Press

Birding. Photography. The great outdoors. Big Macs.

Chances are good there’s a nonfiction book out there to suit just about anybody on your holiday gift list.

Some ideas:

For your puzzlers

This image shows cover art for “Puzzle Mania!” by The New York Times Games and Joel Fagliano. (Authors Equity via AP)

Imagine, if you will, a world without mobile phones, the internet or The New York Times (digital OR print). Would your favorite puzzler survive? The good folks at the Times have something perfect to put in the bunker: “Puzzle Mania!” It’s a stylish hardcover book full of Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and more. By a lead Times puzzle editor, Joel Fagliano. Authors Equity. $38.

Contemporary art

This cover image released by Monacelli shows the self-titled contemporary art book by Derrick Adams. (Monacelli via AP)

Painting, collage, photography, sculpture, performance. Derrick Adams has embraced them all in a career spanning more than 25 years. His first monograph, “Derrick Adams,” includes 150 works that explore Black American culture and his own identity. Portraiture abounds. There’s joy, leisure and resilience in everyday experiences and self-reflection, with a little humor on board. Monacelli. $79.95.

Steph Curry inspiration

This cover image released by One World shows “Shot Ready” by Stephen Curry. (One World via AP)

“Being shot ready requires practice, training and repetition, but it rewards that work with an unmatched feeling of transcendence.” That’s Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry in his new book, “Shot Ready.” The basketball star takes his readers from rookie to veteran, accompanied by inspiring words and photos. One doesn’t have to be into basketball to feel the greatness. One World. $50.

The American West

This image shows cover art for “Frank S. Matsura: Iconoclast Photographer of the American West.” (Princeton Architectural Press, an imprint of Chronicle Books via AP)

The photographer Frank S. Matsura died in 1913, but his work lives on in a hefty archive. He was a Japanese immigrant who chronicled life in Alaska and the Okanogan region of Washington state. He operated a photo studio frequented by the Indigenous people of the region. Many of those portraits are included in “Frank S. Matsura: Iconoclast Photographer of the American West.” Edited by Michael Holloman. Princeton Architectural Press. $40.

The gift of bird chatter

This cover image released by Storey Publishing shows “Bird Talk: Hilariously Accurate Ways to Identify Birds by the Sounds They Make” by Becca Rowland. (Storey Publishing via AP)

Cheeseburger, cheeseburger! The handy little book “Bird Talk” seeks to make identifying bird calls fun and accessible without heavy phonetic descriptors or birder lingo. Becca Rowland, who wrote and illustrated, offers funny, bite-size ways to identify calls using what’s already in our brains. Hence, the black-capped chickadee goes “cheeseburger, cheeseburger!” Storey Publishing. $16.99.

Mocktails and cocktails

This cover image released by Plume shows “Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste” by Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. (Plume via AP)

David Burtka is sober. His husband, Neil Patrick Harris, imbibes. Together, they love to throw parties. This elfin book, “Both Sides of the Glass,” includes easy-to-follow cocktail and mocktail recipes, with commentary from Harris, who took mixology lessons out of sheer love of a good drink. Written with Zoë Chapin. Plume. $35.

It’s a book. It’s a burger.

This cover image shows “McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches” by Gary He. (Gary He via AP)

This tome with a cover design that evokes a Big Mac is a country-by-country work of journalism that earned two 2025 James Beard awards for Gary He, a writer and photographer who previously freelanced for The Associated Press and self-published the book. He toured the world visiting McDonald’s restaurants to do his research for “McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches.” As social anthropology goes, it serves. $49.95.

Yosemite love

From the cute but ferocious river otter to the gliders of the night, the Humboldt’s flying squirrel, this striking book is the first comprehensive work in more than a century dedicated entirely to the park’s animal kingdom. “Yosemite Wildlife: The Wonder of Animal Life in California’s Sierra Nevada” includes more than 300 photos and covers 150-plus species. By Beth Pratt, with photos by Robb Hirsch. Yosemite Conservancy. $60.

Samin Nosrat’s new book

This book cover image released by Random House shows “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love: A Cookbook” by Samin Nosrat. (Random House via AP)

Samin Nosrat lays herself bare in this long-awaited second book from the chef and author of the acclaimed “Salt Fat Acid Heat.” Her first book was 17 years in the making. In its wake, she explains in “Good Things,” was struggle, including overwhelming loss with the deaths of several people close to her and a bout of depression that nearly swallowed her whole. Here, she rediscovers why she, or anybody, cooks in the first place. The recipes are simple, her observations helpful. You can taste the joy in every bite. Penguin Random House. $45.

Chappell Roan

This book cover image released by Hearst Home shows “Chappell Roan: The Rise of a Midwest Princess.” (Hearst Home via AP)

She struggled in the music game for years, until 2024 made her a star. Chappell Roan, with her drag-queen style, big vocals and queer pride, has a shiny Grammy for best new artist. Now, in time for the holidays, there’s a sweet little book that tells her origin story. “Chappell Roan: The Rise of a Midwest Princess.” With text contributions from Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Dibs Baer, Patrick Crowley, Izzy Grinspan, J’na Jefferson, Ilana Kaplan and Samantha Olson. Hearst Home. $30.

Snoop’s homemade edibles

For edible-loving weed enthusiasts, “Snoop Dogg’s Treats to Eat” offers 55 recipes that can be done with or without the weed. The connoisseur includes tips on how to use your goods for everything from tinctures to gummies, cookies to cannabutter. Perhaps a loaded milkshake or buttermilk pancakes with stoner syrup. Chronicle Books. $27.95.

A style muse

This cover image released by Abrams Books shows “Jane Birkin: Icon of Style” by Sophie Gachet. (Abrams Books via AP)

With her effortless beauty, and tousled hair and fringe, Jane Birkin easily transitioned from her swinging London roots in the early 1960s to a cultural and style muse for decades. She lent a bohemian charm to everything she did, from acting to singing to liberal activism. And she famously was the muse for the Hermès Birkin bag. The new “Jane Birkin: Icon of Style,” encompasses all of Birkin. By Sophie Gachet. Abrams Books. $65.

More Taylor Swift

This book cover image released by Black Dog & Leventhal shows “Taylor Swift All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track” by Damien Somville and Marine Benoit. (Black Dog & Leventhal via AP)

All those Easter eggs. All those songs. It’s Taylor Swift’s world and we’re just eyes and ears taking it all in. Swift has been everywhere of late with her engagement to Travis Kelce, her Eras tour and now, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Add to the pile “Taylor Swift All the Songs,” a guide to the lyrics, genesis, production and secret messages of every single song, excluding “Showgirl” tracks. By Damien Somville and Marine Benoit. Black Dog & Leventhal. $60.

Got a theater buff?

What’s the beating heart of American theater? Broadway, of course. Teale Dvornik, a theater historian known on social media as The Backstage Blonde, has written a handy little history of New York’s Theater District, “History Hiding Around Broadway.” She takes it theater by theater, offering backstage insights into the venues themselves, along with shows that played there and Broadway highlights through the ages. Running Press. $25.

Christmas baking, Gilded-Age style

Sugarplums. They’re a thing! Fans of “The Gilded Age” are well aware and will eat up “The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook.” It includes treats from the era, some culinary history and a lot of old-time charm. For the record, sugarplums date to the 1600s, when they were basically just sugar. By the Gilded Age, starting roughly in the late 1800s, they were made from chopped dried figs, nuts, powdered sugar and brandy. Yes, please. By Becky Libourel Diamond. Globe Pequot. $34.95.

Forever flowers

This cover image released by Hachette Mobius shows “Everlasting Blooms” by Layla Robinson. (Hachette Mobius via AP)

Know a crafter? Know a flower lover? In “Everlasting Blooms,” floral artist Layla Robinson offers more than 25 projects focused on the use of dried flowers. She includes a festive flower crown, table displays, wreaths and arrangements with buds and branches. Her step-by-step guidance is easy to follow. Robinson also instructs how to forage and how to dry flowers. Hachette Mobius. $35.

Michelle Obama style

This cover image released by Crown Publishing shows “The Look” by Michelle Obama. (Crown Publishing via AP)

A brown polyester dress with a plaid skirt and a Peter Pan collar. That’s the very first fashion statement Michelle Obama can remember making, circa kindergarten. It was up, up and away from there, style-wise. The former first lady is out with a photo-packed book, “The Look,” taking us behind the scenes of her style and beauty choices. Crown. $50.