You’re sitting there in late November, the air is getting that crisp "football weather" bite, and you realize the standard chocolate-behind-cardboard routine just isn't going to cut it this year. You want something that screams Sundays at 1 PM. Enter the nfl advent calendar 2024. It sounds like a slam dunk gift, right? Twenty-four days of gridiron surprises leading up to the big holiday stretch.
But honestly, buying one of these isn't as simple as grabbing a gallon of milk. If you just click "buy" on the first thing that pops up, you might end up with a calendar full of players who aren't even on their teams anymore—or worse, a box of "limited edition" cards that are basically just shiny paper.
🔗 Read more: Why the Stadium of Light Still Matters to English Football
The 2024 season has been a weird one for merchandise. We've seen some massive hits and some truly baffling misses. Let’s break down what’s actually worth your cash and which ones are likely to leave you feeling like a fan of a team that just missed a game-winning 20-yard field goal.
The Funko Pocket Pop Madness
If you've spent any time in a Target or scrolled through Fanatics recently, you’ve seen the Funko 2024 NFL 24 Day Advent Calendar. It’s basically the heavyweight champion of this category. You get 24 tiny, two-inch vinyl figures. It’s cute. It’s collectible.
But here’s the kicker: the lead times on these things are a nightmare for accuracy. Because they have to be manufactured months—sometimes a year—in advance, the rosters are often "stuck in time."
Take the Saquon Barkley situation. If you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan hoping to find a tiny Saquon in your calendar, you might be disappointed. Several 2024 sets still feature him in New York Giants blue. For a die-hard fan, that’s a tough pill to swallow. I’ve seen reviews from parents whose kids were legit upset because a player was traded in real life but stayed put in the vinyl world.
The quality is usually solid—it’s Funko, after all—but don't expect the latest 2024 rookie sensations like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels to be in every version. These sets lean heavily on established stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson.
TeenyMates: The Budget-Friendly Play
If the $70+ price tag of the Funko set makes your wallet ache, TeenyMates is the pivot. Their NFL TeenyMates 2024 Football Series 13 Advent Calendar usually clocks in around $35 to $50.
What’s the vibe here?
It’s more "toy" than "collectible." You get 24 one-inch figures, a puzzle of a football field, and a fold-out stadium display. It’s actually pretty great for kids who want to actually play with the pieces rather than just line them up on a shelf.
One thing people get wrong about TeenyMates is the "exclusivity." They often include a "Santa Referee" or a "Glow-in-the-Dark" figure. These are the ones that actually hold a tiny bit of value on the secondary market. However, be warned: the paint jobs on these tiny guys can be hit or miss. I've seen more than one "Josh Allen" that looked suspiciously like he’d been through a three-overtime game in a blizzard.
The Panini absolute "Kaboom" Gamble
Now, if you’re a card collector, the nfl advent calendar 2024 conversation usually starts and ends with Panini. They released an Absolute NFL Football Kaboom! Pop-Up Countdown box this year.
👉 See also: Arkansas State vs Arkansas Football: Why the War Memorial Game Changed Everything
It sounds incredible. "Kaboom" inserts are some of the most sought-after cards in the hobby. Some of them sell for thousands of dollars.
But let’s be real for a second. The retail version of this advent calendar is a massive gamble. You’re getting four-card packs for each day, mostly filled with "Red & Blue" parallels. The odds of actually pulling a true Kaboom or a high-end rookie auto are incredibly slim.
I’ve watched "breakers" open five of these in a row and get absolutely nothing of value. It’s fun for the ritual—opening a pack a day is a blast—but if you're buying it as an "investment," you're probably going to have a bad time. It’s a 1/10 for value but a 9/10 for the dopamine hit of the hunt.
Why 2024 is Different (and Frustrating)
This year, the "authenticity" gap has grown. We're seeing a lot of "unbranded" or "generic" football advent calendars popping up on sites like eBay and Etsy. They use the phrase nfl advent calendar 2024 but they aren't officially licensed.
You’ll know them when you see them. The logos look slightly "off," or the box just says "Football Star" instead of the team name.
Avoid these.
Seriously.
The figures are often made of cheap PVC that smells like a chemical factory, and the "surprises" are usually just plastic whistles or generic keychains. If it’s not from a reputable brand like Funko, Party Animal (TeenyMates), or Panini, it’s probably a waste of $30.
How to Actually Get Your Money's Worth
If you're still determined to track down an nfl advent calendar 2024, you need a strategy. Don't just pay the "holiday tax" in December.
- Check the "Series" Number: For TeenyMates, make sure it says "Series 13." Anything lower is old stock from previous years.
- Roster Check: If you're buying for a specific fan, look at the back of the box. Most reputable brands list the potential players. If your friend hates the Cowboys and the box is 20% Dak Prescott, maybe skip it.
- The "After-Christmas" Pivot: If you don't care about the "countdown" part, these things drop by 50-70% on December 26th. It’s the best way to get 24 Funko Pops for the price of three.
Honestly, the best value this year has been the TeenyMates Color Rush limited editions. They have a specific aesthetic that looks way better on a desk than the standard uniforms.
What to Do Next
Don't wait until December 1st to start looking. The good ones—especially the licensed Funko sets—sell out at MSRP by mid-November, leaving you at the mercy of resellers charging $120.
💡 You might also like: Why Vintage Football Helmet Leather Still Matters to Serious Collectors
Here is your game plan:
- Verify the License: Only buy if the "Official NFL" shield is on the box.
- Choose your "Type": Are you a "Figure" person (Funko), a "Play" person (TeenyMates), or a "Gambler" (Panini)?
- Compare Shipping: Target and Walmart usually have the best shipping rates for these bulky boxes, while Fanatics often has "hidden" handling fees.
- Inspect Upon Arrival: Open the outer shipping box immediately. These advent calendars are notoriously fragile, and there’s nothing worse than Day 1 being an empty slot because a figure fell behind the cardboard tray.
The nfl advent calendar 2024 is a great way to bridge the gap between Thanksgiving and the playoffs. Just make sure you know exactly which "roster" you're buying before you kick off.