Parents are eyeing toy calendars over chocolate this year, and one pink-priced pick could stretch playtime past Christmas morning.
Budget shoppers now have a new festive target. Lidl’s Barbie Advent Calendar 2025 offers a full doll plus daily dress-up surprises, all for less than £16 with the Lidl Plus app.
What parents get for £15.99
The Barbie Advent Calendar lands with a headline that matters to households watching every pound. Scan Lidl Plus at the till and the price drops to £15.99, a £2 saving on the regular £17.99 shelf price. Inside, you’ll find 24 doors and a complete Barbie doll ready for big-day play as soon as the final window opens.
Price with Lidl Plus: £15.99. Regular price: £17.99. Saving: £2. Doors: 24. Doll included: yes.
Each compartment holds fashion-focused pieces sized for instant mix-and-match. Expect a spread of outfits, shoes, handbags and jewellery that can turn one doll into an entire December wardrobe. The design leans bright and bold, which helps younger children spot and handle parts. It’s marked for ages 3+, which aligns with the presence of small accessories.
Why a toy calendar beats chocolate for many families
Chocolate calendars bring a moment. This one brings a month. Dress-up play stretches far beyond the countdown, giving children repeat value without extra spend. You also sidestep daily sugar, which some households limit during the run-up to Christmas concerts and nativity rehearsals.
Twenty-four tiny reveals plus a full-size doll equals a daily routine that builds anticipation and keeps hands busy.
Imaginative play ranks high in early-years development. Swapping outfits, coordinating colours and role-playing scenes exercise fine motor skills, decision-making and storytelling. Parents who want a “one-and-done” gift-and-calendar hybrid may find this hits two jobs at once.
Inside the box, at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price with Lidl Plus | £15.99 |
| Regular price | £17.99 |
| Total doors | 24 |
| Doll included | Yes (full Barbie doll) |
| Accessories | Clothes, shoes, handbags, jewellery |
| Age guidance | 3+ (small parts) |
| Warranty | 2 years when purchased from Lidl |
How the Lidl Plus price works
Lidl offers promotional prices to customers who use the Lidl Plus app at checkout. Scan your digital card and the calendar should register at £15.99 if the offer is live. Availability can vary by store and region, and stock typically runs on a while-stocks-last basis in the run-up to December.
- Download Lidl Plus and complete registration before you shop.
- Check your app for the live price and any store-specific notices.
- Scan the app barcode at the till to apply the promotional price.
- Keep your receipt for warranty support on the product.
Will it outlast a chocolate calendar?
Durability depends on three things: how many outfit combinations your child enjoys, how carefully the small parts are stored, and whether the doll joins an existing Barbie collection. In most homes, the doll becomes a long-term toy, while the rotating accessories refresh play on slow winter afternoons.
Play ideas that stretch value
Turn each morning’s reveal into a five-minute fashion brief. Ask your child to create an outfit for a theme: winter walk, school disco, or Christmas concert. Photograph the look so you can replay favourites during the holidays. The routine builds excitement and makes every accessory earn its place.
Where it sits against other toy calendars
Toy advent calendars from major brands typically land between £20 and £35, with premium sets reaching higher. A sub-£16 option with a full doll compares well on components-per-pound. It also suits first-time Barbie households that want a low-commitment entry before buying bigger sets in the January sales.
Under £16 for a doll plus 24 accessories positions this as a value-first pick in the toy calendar aisle.
Who should buy it
Families seeking a screen-free daily ritual will find it useful. Gift-givers shopping ahead of December benefit from the clear age mark and familiar brand. It also works as a sibling-calmer: one child opens the door while the other chooses the day’s outfit, which shares the moment without needing two calendars.
Who should skip it
If your child prefers building bricks, crafts or collectibles, a category-specific calendar may deliver better engagement. Also avoid it for children under three due to choking risks from small accessories.
Safety, care and storage tips
Separate tiny pieces into a small lidded tub after each reveal to prevent losses under the sofa. Check for sharp points before handing items to younger siblings. Look for standard safety marks on the box at purchase. If you split the set, you can also repurpose a few accessories as stocking fillers to keep Christmas morning flowing.
Stock checks, returns and warranty
Stock moves fast in late October and early November. Visit earlier in the day for the best chance of finding a unit on shelves. Keep packaging and your receipt, as the calendar carries a 2-year warranty when bought from Lidl. Standard store returns policies apply; ask at the service desk for local guidance.
Money-saving extras you can try at home
Build a DIY fashion rail from craft sticks and string so outfits dry quickly after a gentle hand wash. Rotate five accessories into a “capsule wardrobe” challenge on weekends, which refreshes interest without opening extra doors early. If you already own a Barbie, treat this calendar as an expansion pack and retire duplicate items to a labelled spare-parts box.
The bottom line for busy parents
This calendar sits at the sweet spot where price, play value and brand recognition meet. You pay less than £16 with the app, your child gets a month of reveals plus a doll for everyday play, and your mornings gain a peaceful five-minute ritual. If that sounds like your December, check your nearest store while the offer holds.
Price looks fair, especially with Lidl Plus dropping it to £15.99. 24 doors, a doll, and mix-and-match outfits means it outlasts chocolate, and my kid gets play value into January. Only worry is tiny parts going missing unless we use a tub. Still, value-per-pound is solid.
Does anyone know if the 2-year warranty actually covers loose limbs or missing accessories? Sounds great on paper but returns at my local Lidl are… slooow.