There are more alternatives to the bog-standard chocolate advent calendar than ever before, and we’ve tried them out to recommend you the best of the best.
The festive season is fast-approaching, and while we’re busy preparing our lists for Father Christmas, there’s something approaching far more imminently: December 1st.
With the start of the month comes an opportunity to enjoy a little treat every single day in the run-up to Christmas.
But if you’re feeling all chocolate-d out this year – or just fancy a change – you might prefer to opt for an alternative to the usual fare.
From alcoholic offerings to steamy couple’s calendars, ones that indulge our hobbies and even something for the pets to enjoy – these are the top picks you need to know about this year.
DRINKS
’Tis the season for…partying! And if that involves having a tipple or two, a boozy calendar might be the perfect choice.
Laithwaites wine advent calendar isn’t just easy on the eye – with a gorgeous festive scene on the huge box – it’s all bursting with goodies.
Every day, you’ll find a different miniature bottle of wine to try, including best-selling Cabalié red and Mussel Pot New Zealand Sauvignon.
Even more special, on Christmas Eve you’ll find a full-size bottle of prosecco ready to pop to kick-start the official celebrations.
It’s pricier than the usual chocolate calendar, priced at £99.99, but there’s plenty of bang for your buck with this one – and it’s the perfect choice for wine lovers who will enjoy the chance to sample a variety of tastes.
Meanwhile for whiskey lovers, Whiskey World have released their Whisky With Us Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar, featuring 25 drams of premium whiskey from some of Scotland’s most renowned distilleries.
Priced at £129.90, this is aimed at the true whiskey buff, and comes complete with a Glencairn whiskey glass to enjoy them in style.
It’s the perfect winter warmer, with the aim of expanding the drinker’s palette one dram at a time.
Whiskey World also offers gin, vodka and rum offerings for the non-whiskey lovers among us.
For anyone preferring a booze-free calendar, YAWN has put together a beautiful selection of brews this year.
Priced at £28, you can choose between festive flavours, caffeine-free options, loose-leaf or pyramid bags, with each day offering a new – and often unique – flavour profile.
Yule-tide favourites include the Eggnog latte, Cocoa Candy Cane, Cranberry Apple tea and Chocolate Orange.
FOODIE FAVOURITES
Not keen on the usual chocolatey fare, but still fancy something to sink your teeth into every day throughout December? We’ve got you covered.
Tiptree is offering a jam advent calendar this year, held inside a replica of their vintage double decker bus.
The beautiful package, priced at £32.99, contains three miniature jars of each of their eight most popular jams and conserves – perfect for breakfast each morning throughout the month.
For others with a sweet-tooth, Doughlicious has a 12-day calendar featuring frozen cookie dough and gelato bites, priced at £10.40.
You’ll need to make room in your freezer, but it’s well worth it for the daily chilled treat, including festive flavours like Gingerbread, Peppermint Bark and White Chocolate Snowball.
And for foodies thinking truly outside of the box, might a Dominos Garlic & Herb dip calendar be of interest?!
The quirky box is the pizza brand’s first ‘Dipmas’ offering, with 24 days of the regular sized dip leading up to the giant big dip on Christmas Day.
The calendar is available online for lucky fans to win, entering their details to: https://dominosadventcalendar.com/
SAUCY
In entirely unrelated saucy-news, Lovehoney has released an incredible – and huge – advent calendar this year aimed at couples.
The 24-day extravaganza features dozens of toys for use in the bedroom, including a rechargeable bullet vibrator and various compatible accoutrements, and a handful of accessories for use between the sheets.
Highlights of the calendar include the Womanizer Classic 2 suction toy, and the We-Vibe Sync Lite for couples – together worth £188.99.
Priced at £135, the calendar contains items worth £501.37 in total – meaning you could be in for a massive saving.
Lovehoney calls it their “most indulgent yet”, and suggest it could be the start of an erotic 24-day journey of intimacy for daring couples to embark on.
However if you’d prefer a slightly less intense endeavour this December, SoDivine has released their 7 Nights of Delight Sex Toy Advent Calendar – a week-long way to turn up the heat this festive season.
The calendar features a rechargeable bullet vibrator, mini massage wand, and other toys and accessories – worth £140 in total but priced at £69.99.
HOBBIES
For other non-food or drink related calendars, why not turn to your favourite hobby and indulge it ahead of the holidays?
Bimble & Bolt has released their own take on the Christmas countdown with their calendar aimed at runners.
Priced at £42, it contains £100 worth of goodies – including several pairs of the brand’s luxe socks.
Running buffs can also expect to find on-the-go snacks, electrolytes, and accessories to make for a smoother sprint.
Another unique offering is the adorable She Grows Veg Heirloom Seed advent calendar.
Perfect for anyone with a green thumb, the £70 package contains 25 numbered and compostable envelopes, each filled with the seeds you’ll need to get growing.
The calendar also comes in a reusable stocking to make every day feel like Christmas while budding gardeners unpack their gift.
Meanwhile Healing From Within has launched their 24 Days of Wellness calendar – a stunning collection of natural, cruelty-free wellness treatments.
Priced at £120, it includes handmade remedies, teas, tinctures, balms, and self-care treats – a wonderful alternative made to last.
PETS
And last but not least – because we can’t miss out our four-legged friends! – have you ever thought about giving your dog their own calendar too?
To spread the festive joy amongst all members of the family, Pointer has released a £6 advent calendar specifically for dogs – with a natural, oven-baked treat a day from December 1st right the way through to Christmas Eve.
And no one knows your pup quite like you do, so if you prefer to choose what goes in their calendar, there’s always the Festive Friends ‘fill your own’ calendar, available on Rex London.
The beautiful dog-themed box comes with 24 drawers to fill with notes, treats and other small gifts for your pooch – and, best of all, the £14.95 calendar can be used year after year.
