Are Advent calendars becoming too commercialised?

When I was young, my advent calendar was made of card and featured either the manger scene, Saint Nicholas or a winter scene, and had nothing behind the numbered door but a festive picture. We also made the Blue Peter Advent wreath!

Nowadays, they come in a multitude of forms, from a simple paper calendar with flaps covering each of the days to fabric pockets on a background scene to painted wooden boxes with cubby holes for small items. The majority of Advent calendars contain a small chocolate at the very least, however this theme is now extending to elaborate gifts.  You can now buy a decadent and elaborately decorated case with 25 beauty products.

Lookfantastic Advent Calendar

And one supermarket has decided to sell a totally new advent calendar – A cheese advent calendar. It comes from ASDA and it is claiming it as a world first.

Cheese advent calendar

You can also buy Advent calendars for your cat or dog!

What are your views?  Do you buy an Advent calendar for anyone? What style would you choose? Do you think that meaning of Advent has been forgotten?