You know that feeling when you're staring at a cardboard box in mid-November, trying to justify spending fifty bucks on tiny pieces of vinyl? That's the annual Pokémon Funko Pop advent calendar struggle. Honestly, it’s a weirdly specific holiday tradition that has taken over the collecting world, and if you've ever tried to hunt one down in a Target aisle three days before December 1st, you know the panic is real.
It isn’t just about the cardboard doors. It’s about the gamble.
Every year, Funko releases these "Pocket Pop" versions of our favorite pocket monsters, and every year, the internet gets into a heated debate about whether we actually needed another Pikachu in a slightly different pose. But here’s the thing: for a Pokémon fan, there is something genuinely addictive about that 6:00 AM ritual of ripping open a perforated window to find a 2-inch tall Squirtle staring back at you.
What’s Actually Inside the Pokémon Funko Pop Advent Calendar?
Let’s get the logistics out of the way because people always ask if these are the full-sized Pops. They aren't. These are the "Pocket Pop" scale, which means they stand about 1.5 to 2 inches tall. If you try to put them on a shelf next to your jumbo 10-inch Mewtwo, they’re going to look like ants. But for a desk setup or a dedicated display case? They’re perfect.
The standard Pokémon Funko Pop advent calendar usually packs 24 unique figures. Funko is pretty consistent with the lineup, typically leaning heavily on Generation 1. You’re guaranteed the heavy hitters. Pikachu? Obviously. Eevee? Usually. The Kanto starters? Almost always. But the real joy—or the real frustration, depending on your vibe—comes from the variants.
Some years, Funko goes heavy on the "silver metallic" finish. Other years, they stick to the classic matte paint. One thing people often get wrong is assuming every single figure is a brand-new mold. It’s not. Funko often shrinks down their existing 4-inch designs into this micro-scale. It makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint, but for a hardcore collector, it means you might already own the "big" version of everything in the box.
The Quality Control Conversation Nobody Wants to Have
We need to talk about the "lean." If you’ve been in the Funko game for a while, you know that some figures just... don't want to stand up. Because these are top-heavy and tiny, a stray breeze can sometimes knock over your entire December 12th through December 18th lineup.
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I’ve seen collectors get genuinely annoyed when their Flareon has one leg slightly shorter than the other. It happens. Funko mass-produces these by the hundreds of thousands. While the paint jobs have improved drastically since the first 2019/2020 releases, you’ll still find the occasional smudge on a Bulbasaur’s bulb.
Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not for a kid or a casual fan. But if you’re planning on taking high-res macro photography for your Instagram, keep a hair dryer nearby. A little heat can help you bend those tiny legs back into a position that actually obeys the laws of gravity.
Why This Specific Calendar Dominates the Market
There are a million advent calendars out there now. You can get ones filled with jam, socks, or high-end skincare. So why does the Pokémon Funko Pop advent calendar sell out every single time?
- The Resale Factor. Even though these are small, certain figures become "grails" in the micro-community. If Funko drops a translucent or "Diamond Collection" glitter variant inside a calendar, the individual value of that one-inch plastic toy can sometimes cover half the cost of the whole box.
- Nostalgia is a Hell of a Drug. Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise on the planet for a reason. Seeing a tiny Vulpix brings back memories of Game Boy Color screens and trading cards at recess.
- The Display Value. Unlike chocolate calendars where the "reward" is gone in five seconds, you actually have a collection at the end of the month.
I remember talking to a collector at a local shop who buys two every year. One to open with his kids, and one to keep sealed in his closet. He’s convinced the 2021 edition is going to be worth a fortune one day because of the specific mix of silver foils. He might be right; he might be crazy. That’s the fun of it.
Where to Buy Without Getting Scammed
This is the important part. When October hits, third-party sellers on Amazon and eBay go absolutely wild with the pricing. The MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is usually around $40 to $50 USD. If you see someone asking for $85 in November, walk away.
Check the big retailers first:
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- GameStop: They usually get the most stock and often run "Buy 1 Get 1" sales on collectibles that might include older calendar stock.
- Target and Walmart: These are hit or miss. They often put them on the bottom shelf in the toy aisle rather than the collector section, so you have to hunt.
- The Pokémon Center: This is the "official" route. Their shipping is usually great, but they sell out the fastest.
A weird tip? Look at craft stores like Michael's or Joann. Sometimes they carry Funko stock in their seasonal aisles, and everyone forgets to look there. You can often snag a calendar with a 40% off coupon if you play your cards right.
Managing the "Duplicate" Disappointment
One major critique of the Pokémon Funko Pop advent calendar is the repetition. If you buy the 2023 version and then the 2024 version, you are going to see a lot of the same faces. Funko doesn't always swap out the entire roster. They might change the finish from matte to "pearlescent," but it’s still the same Pikachu mold.
If you're a completionist, this is fine. If you’re looking for 24 brand-new, never-before-seen Pokémon, you’re going to be disappointed. We are still waiting for Funko to really dive into Gen 3 or Gen 4 for these calendars. Give us a Mudkip! Give us a Lucario! Until then, we’re mostly living in the Kanto region.
How to Display 24 Tiny Monsters
Once Christmas Day passes, you’re left with a pile of 24 figures and a torn-up cardboard box. What now?
Don't just throw them in a drawer. The best way to show these off is using a "stair-step" acrylic riser. You can find them for cheap online. Because they’re so small, you can fit the entire 24-piece set on a single shelf. Some people even buy those empty plastic ornaments from craft stores, pop a figure inside with some fake snow, and turn their advent calendar into actual Christmas tree decorations for the following year.
It’s actually a pretty genius way to recycle the collection.
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The Verdict: Is It Worth Your Money?
Look, if you hate "trinkets" and clutter, this isn't for you. It’s 24 pieces of plastic that will inevitably end up under a sofa cushion if you have kids or cats.
But if you love the "slow burn" of the holiday season, the Pokémon Funko Pop advent calendar is arguably the best one on the market. It beats the LEGO ones in terms of "shelf presence," and it definitely beats the cheap chocolate ones that taste like waxy cardboard.
The value proposition is actually decent when you break it down. At $50, you’re paying roughly $2 per figure. Considering individual Pocket Pops usually retail for $5 to $7, you’re technically getting a bargain.
Your Pokémon Advent Strategy
If you're planning to pick one up this year, here is exactly how to do it without losing your mind:
- Pre-order early. Don't wait for December. Most sites put these up for pre-order in August or September.
- Check the box back. Funko usually shows a "preview" of at least 4-6 characters on the back of the box. Use this to see if the art style or the "finish" (metallic vs. normal) is what you actually want.
- Set a "Unboxing" spot. Find a place in your house where the figures won't be knocked over immediately. A high mantel or a glass-door cabinet is best.
- Don't throw away the box immediately. The artwork on the front is often really high quality and can be cut out to make DIY gift tags or even framed art for a kid’s room.
Basically, treat it like a month-long event rather than just a box of toys. The community around these is huge, and following along with hashtags on TikTok or Reddit as everyone opens the same door on the same day is half the fun.
Just be prepared for at least three Pikachus. It’s his world; we’re just living in it.