We are so happy to announce that we are part of a unique children’s advent calendar for Christmas 2019, alongside 23 other charities!

Last year the celebrity-endorsed social enterprise Advent of Change launched the first-of-its-kind charity advent calendar. By the end of 2018, the movement had raised £100,000 for its 24 chosen charities, and even received an award from the Prime Minister in recognition of outstanding contribution to charitable causes.

I had the chance to meet Kristina - the wonderful lady who started the whole thing - last year, and have been a huge supporter ever since. This year the calendar is returning, alongside four brand new products and we are so proud to be part of it! 52 Lives is will be part of the Children’s Advent Calendar (which is new for 2019) plus the annual calendar.

Each day of the children's advent calendar represents a 50p donation and when you open the little door, it describes how that 50p gift could be used – from feeding the hungry to looking after animals from around the world. to spreading kindness! 

It is designed for everyone to enjoy and understand – each door features a coloured shape to help little ones find the right one, plus child-friendly language is used throughout, showing younger family members that they have the power to make a difference. There is also a mini-game to find hidden reindeer over the month.

World Changer Wall Calendar 2020

We are also proud to be included in the World Changer Wall Calendar for 2020, which keeps the Advent of Change movement alive all year round, donating £1 per month to 12 charities as well as challenging the user to make positive day-to-day changes in their lives. The user gets to take on a monthly challenge related to each charity – these fun missions are designed to add a little extra kindness, sustainability and well-being to our everyday lives.

Turning Christmas consumerism upside down

Advent of Change started with one person, and a little idea: to take a product built to receive, and reverse its purpose to give instead – an idea that quickly captured the imagination of many others.

The innovative social enterprise caught the attention of John Lewis & Partners, who this year will again be stocking the calendar in stores throughout the country and online. Dan Cooper, Partner and Head Christmas Buyer at John Lewis & Partners, said: “In my role, I get to see some really interesting and exciting new products, but the Advent of Change advent calendar really stood out to me as an incredibly innovative way of giving back during the festive season. The original was a huge success with our customers last year, so we’re really excited to announce new additions to the collection this year, including a year- round wall calendar and one for children.” 

Advent of Change has also secured a number of exciting endorsements from household names such as Sir Richard Branson, Joanna Lumley OBE, Greg James, and Lawrence Dallaglio OBE.

This year, the Founder, 27-year-old Kristina Salceanu, hopes to more than double the amount raised last year, and help a total of 72 charities. She said:

“Advent of Change began with one simple idea: to give the gift of giving at Christmas. And that small idea has captured the imagination of so many people already, and we really do believe that this simple concept has the power to change the world. We’re a non-profit with a mission: to help make the world a more fair, equal and sustainable place. We aim to create the world’s kindest products, and are delighted to announce more products that will support more charities for 2019. We are extremely proud to be representing 52 Lives with our Children’s Advent Calendar.”

Open up to change this year!

The Children’s Advent Calendar is available to buy online via the Advent of Change website and John Lewis & Partners, plus John Lewis and Waitrose stores across the country. The advent calendar costs £16.95, with over 70% of the sale price of this product going directly to charity – 50p going to each charity per calendar.

Click here to buy the Children's Advent Calendar on the John Lewis website

Click here to buy the World Changer Annual Calendar on the John Lewis website