Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar 4+

As easy as it can get to install. Loved finding the animals. Games are good, living room is good, decorating is good. Music (other than Sugarplum Fairy) may be as the period indicates but I don’t like it, mostly depressing. I buy these every year for family and friends. This one was the least liked due to the videos by everyone. Will still buy and give next year. Personally I liked the Christmas mart one from a few years ago the most. Thanks for not having anything horrible happen to any animals; but a child was worried about the mouse, and I was so saddened by that painting of the dog crammed in the outdoor dog house on snow. Again, maybe it fit the time and place, but here the owner would hopefully be in jail. No need to include these things.

The 2023 advent calendar ended up being a delight (loved that all the original games were included along with many new ones!). Unfortunately the ‘slow reveal’ technique used this year made the outdoor scenes feel two dimensional and uninviting for the first half of the month. The house windows were all dark and there was no cute village to stroll through and re-decorate. The sitting room held all the action, and each day a new gift provided more fun and games. By the end it was a blast, but it was a shame to have to wait half the season to really enjoy the beauty of the outdoor scenes.

Downgraded my assessment now that we’re nearly halfway through. If I could have given it zero stars I would have. Way too many videos that can best be described as “ok” but very juvenile.

Everyone I purchased gift copies for have been complaining about this year’s calendar. I told them to go to the App Store & give them an honest review.

Unless they go back to something more detailed, creative & fun I won’t be buying them for myself or as gifts in the future.

NOTE: Every other time I’ve written a review, which has been rarely, I’ve gotten a developer’s response - not from this company so not holding out a lot of hope that they’re paying attention or care.

Original review: The last really fun one was the Nordic one with the gnomes. Each year since they gotten less enjoyable with more videos to watch & less fun things to do. This year’s “main” scene is almost entirely a bunch of trees where you’re to look for a new animal or bird every day. The graphics aren’t as good & already too many videos instead of fun things to do. The flower arrangement thing was just frustrating. I’ve bought this not just for myself but as gifts too for years & this year everyone is disappointed. I’m not sure I’ll buy these in the future.