Our favourite time of the year HAS ARRIVED! Here’s our annual Pick of 2023 Advent Calendars! As always, let us know in the comments which one you are getting this year 😊
#AD Disclaimer: Some of these products were gifted to us for consideration.
CULT PENS JAPANESE STATIONERY ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
This BEAUTIFUL advent calendar has sold out before I’ve even had time to showcase it! And it’s obvious why, especially if you are a stationery addict like me! The Cult Pens Japanese Stationery Advent Calendar retailed for £90.00. It contains top quality, top branded products. Every product is a real treat; all the boxes are different sizes, different weights … and although it’s tempting, I’ve only opened one box. However, I do know that the calendar contains pens, markers, washi tape, pencils and accessories. Cult Pens has a great range of Christmas products for stationery lovers. Check them out.
What’s behind Door 5?
Door 5 is a square box that contains two Kamoi Kakoshi deco masking ‘washi’ tapes. 15mm x 7m roll of champagne gold, and 15mm x 7m roll of dot soda.
ART CHOCOLAT LUXURY ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
This advent calendar wins before I consider the content – it has the most fantastic photo of the Northern Lights on the cover (a phenomenon I took over 30 years to see for myself!) What is inside the sleeves of this advent calendar are, genuinely, mini works of art. If you want to seriously impress someone with a gift advent, then this Art Chocolat Luxury Advent Calendar (£44.99) is the one for you. Each day you will receive a decadent, award-winning colourful, shiny bonbon in the most amazing flavours, including Crispy Almond, Apple Pie & Custard, Blackcurrant Caramel and Hazelnut Popping Candy.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 was a ‘Boozy Black Forest’ chocolate bonbon, which includes cherry brandy. It was gorgeous.
JOE & SEPH’S POPCORN ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
This is a big-box advent calendar! It contains 24 individual bags of award-winning, handmade, gourmet popcorn in 19 unique flavours. Joe & Seph’s Popcorn Advent Calendar (£30.00) flavours include Double Chocolate, Vanilla Cheesecake, Pumpkin Spice and Tiramisu Popcorn.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 was an individual bag of Orange Chocolate Popcorn.
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN COCKTAIL BOX FROM TAPP’D
Buy ! here !
About …
Tapp’d Cocktails is a family run, Essex-based ready-to-drink bottled cocktail company that launched in 2019. Their mission was (and still is) to handcraft the UK’s only mixologist-quality ready-to-drink cocktail range. They select the finest ingredients (including real fruit, ethically sourced coffee, and award-winning spirits) to create ready to serve cocktails that taste exceptional and pour perfectly, every time. They are gluten free, vegan, and free from any artificial flavours and preservatives. Each bottle is a perfectly portioned 175ml 10% ABV and each canned cocktail is 250ml 6% and 10% ABV serve. Tapp’d Christmas Countdown Cocktail Box (£40.00) contains a mixture of bottles, cans and accessories.
What’s behind Door 4?
Door 5 contained a can of Long Island Iced Tea. Can’t wait to try it!
AVON 24 DAYS OF BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
Avon’s 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar (now £52.00) contains products that would cost £190.25 if bought separately. The calendar itself is substantial and oozes luxury. Inside are some of Avon’s bestsellers, including 5 top-rating products. Examples include Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray, Planet Spa The Sleep Ritual Pillow Mist and Bronze & Glow Bronzing Powder in Warm Glow.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 is a 30ml Advance Techniques by Avon Absolute Nourishment Treatment Serum. This is infused with Argan Oil and claims to leave your hair feeling nourished and smoother after just 1 use.
WICKEDLY WELSH CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
As you may know, PackThePJs is half-Welsh (Huw was born and bred there). We may even be considering a move there in the not-too-distant future. So we have a soft spot for anything Wales and Welsh and when you combine that with chocolate – it’s a win-win (or ennill-ennill in Welsh). This lovely advent calendar from Award-winning Wickedly Welsh (£19.99) contains 24 handcrafted chocolates. Many of the chocolates have festive flavours (gingerbread, toasted marshmallow, Christmas pudding). What’s not to love? Nadolig Llawen x
What’s behind Door 5?
A Welsh sea salt and dark chocolate, that was rather lush!
THE USBORNE ADVENT BOOKSHELF
Buy ! here !
About …
Worried about the amount of sugar your little ones will consume in the run up to Christmas? Here’s a delightful and lovely alternative for you to share with your child/grandchild. The Usborne Advent Bookshelf, available for £19.99 from Books2Door, contains 24 paperback storybooks. Aimed at the 3+ age group, traditional stories are included such as Little Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread Man, Jack & The Beanstalk, The Emperor’s New Clothes, A Christmas Carol, and Twas The Night Before Christmas. Each book contains 22 illustrated pages … the perfect length for a nighttime book.
What’s behind Door 5?
The fifth book in the pack is ‘The Three Little Pigs
BIER COMPANY ULTIMATE CRAFT BEER TREE ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
This advent calendar impresses before you’ve even unpacked it. The sheer size of the delivery box – this is of epic proportions and weight! It takes two people to take it out the box, and what you are left with is a waist-height Christmas tree full of beer, snacks and gifts. In total there are 25 cans of premium craft beer from truly craft breweries, 3 tasty snacks, a Bier Club premium craft beer glass and a pair of exclusive funky socks. It’s unsurprising that this £95.99 advent calendar quickly went out of stock, but Bier Company have others, so do take a look.
What’s behind Door 5?
I may have opened Door 5 and another one too (I couldn’t resist) … They contained a bag of jalapeno pretzel pieces and a can of First Chop Jam Mango Pale.
POOCH & MUTT LIMITED EDITION DENTAL STICKS ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
Santa Paws and the Pooch Dentist have been busy creating a dazzling Christmas countdown to make your pooch smile. The Pooch & Mutt Dental Stick Advent Calendar (£20.99) is the first of its kind. Behind each door is a full size dental stick in one of four flavours … Hemp & Sage, Spirulina & Mint, Peanut Butter and Cheese Fondue.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 we found a Spirulina & Mint Dental Stick. We snapped it in half, and the dogs seemed to really enjoy it!
GIBSONS CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE JIGSAW PUZZLE ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
Now, this is an advent calendar with a difference – a nice difference. During December you can build and make 24 jigsaw puzzles that can be glued to make tree decorations using the included ribbons. Having built one of the puzzles, they are genuinely challenging! Illustrated by Claire McElfatrick, the daily puzzles in the Christmas Adventure Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar (£35.00) range from 42-60 pieces, in a range of shapes (snowflakes, stars, gifts, baubles, gingerbread and stockings). You can understand why, when Gibson’s first launched their Christmas Advent calendars, it won Gift of the Year in 2021! Don’t lose the outer sleeve of the advent calendar, as the inside shows you what the finished puzzles will look like.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 I discovered a 60-piece gift stocking puzzle. The picture on the stocking depicts four friends decorating a large Christmas tree.
BEAUTYPRO ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
The BEAUTYPRO Advent Calendar (£29.00) features 12 award-winning, best-selling sheet masks. Behind each door you could find a warming eye mask, a black peel charcoal mask, or a collagen-infused glove with removable finger tips.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 was a Revitalising Foot Therapy foot sock, containing collagen, sweet almond and peppermint. This 20-minute treatment deeply nourishes and hydrates your feet.
GREEN & WILD’S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
Does your dog deserve a wooftastic Merry Christmas? If they do, then this 100% plastic free Green & Wild’s Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar (£9.95) is the one for them. Behind the 24 doors you’ll find healthy natural treats, including Salmon Bakes, Yakity Yak Puff Nuggets and Cornish Fishcakes with Pumpkin!
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 I found two Wild Garden Herbal Bakes, which was a relief as I had two Springer Spaniels staring at me! They wolfed them down and spent the rest of the day following the advent calendar whenever I moved it!
PLUS-PLUS ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
Have you heard about Plus-Plus? They are hashtag-shaped (#) building blocks that seem to make any building project possible! This Plus-Plus Advent Calendar contains 25 (yes, 25 not 24) individual building kits, which collectively use over 600 building pieces. Aimed at children aged 5+, the advent calendar is available online from ToysrUs and Amazon (RRP £29.99).
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 was a kit containing blue and beige coloured building blocks, and an instruction booklet … which resulted in me building 4 dining chairs.
POPCORN SHED GOURMET POPCORN ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
This is a rather substantial advent calendar that contains 24 individual bags of gourmet popcorn in six different flavours. The little bags make a great snack – or you could save them all up until Christmas Eve and binge them while watching a Christmas movie (I may, or may not, have done just this before!) The Popcorn Shed Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar (£23.99) contains flavours including Peanut Butter, Cookies & Cream, Pecan Pie and Berry-Licious.
What’s behind Door 5?
Door 5 contained an individual bag of Pop ‘n’ Choc gourmet popcorn.
AVON 12 DAYS OF ME-TIME MOMENTS
Buy ! here !
About …
This Self-Love Wellbeing Advent Calendar by Avon is currently on offer for £28.00. It is the perfect way to countdown to Christmas. We all know how busy and stressful December can be, so this advent calendar provides some me-time treats to help ease you through the month. Behind the doors you could find a Foot Works Clay Mask with Lavender, a Restoring Cuticle Cream and an Anew Ultimate Night Cream.
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 I discovered a 50ml Planet Spa Radiance Ritual Liquid Gold Face Mask. You apply it to your skin, let it dry, then peel it off. It smells lovely!
THE SNAFFLING PIG CO MERRY PIGGIN’ CHRISTMAS PORK CRACKLING ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
Not everyone likes chocolate (apparently!) Maybe you are trying to cut back on your sugar consumption, and prefer savoury to sweet? If that’s you, then this Snaffling Pig Merry Piggin’ Christmas Advent Calendar (£21.95) is for you. Behind each of the 24 doors you’ll find an individual bag of pork crackling, in one of six flavours (including Black Pepper & Sea Salt, Pigs in Blankets and Marvellous Maple).
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 was an individual bag of Salt ‘n’ Vinegar pork crackling. Very tasty.
THE SPICERY: A CRACKING CURRY CHRISTMAS!
Buy ! here !
About …
Now this isn’t just an advent calendar but is a culinary adventure and an education in using the right spices to make delicious and exciting food. Behind each of the 12 doors of this The Spicery: A Cracking Curry Christmas Advent Calendar (£29.95) is a sachet of spice blend along with a corresponding recipe. By the end of the 12 days you’ll have mastered 12 cracking curries!
What’s behind Door 5?
Behind Door 5 is a Groundnut Curry Blend of spices, with an easy-to-follow Ghanaian Groundnut Curry. The ingredients I need and the method to cook it are explained.
SWIZZELS SWEET SHOP
Buy ! here !
About …
Step aside chocolate – the candy wants a bit of the action! And why not? The Swizzels Advent Calendar (£5.00) is available in most supermarkets and contains an assortment of family favourite sweets, including Love Hearts, Refreshers, Parma Violets and Fizzers.
What’s behind Door 5?
Door 5 provided a Drumstick chew (my favourite!)
NOMO ADVENT CALENDAR
Buy ! here !
About …
NOMO (or NO Missing Out) is a brand devoted to creating products that all chocolate lovers can enjoy. Whether you’re vegan, have a food allergy or you just want to make small changes to help the environment, there’s something for you at NOMO. Why should you miss out on having an advent calendar because you have a nut or dairy allergy? You don’t have to – this NOMO Advent Calendar (£5.00) is filled with 24 vegan chocolates that are free from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts.
What’s behind Door 5?
A creamy chocolate-filled drop-shaped chocolate
What I love about these is how unique they are! My family has been doing advent calendars for years, and little chocolates are starting to get boring!
Oh little chocolates still have their place in Advent calendars! I do love a chocolate advent!
These are great ideas! I’m going to get a perfume advent calendar for my GF. I think she’ll love it.
Ooh that sounds really nice. I’m sure she’ll love it!
This article brings back memories of the Advent calendars my mother had. These calendars are unique and beautifully done – I need to pick up one and share with my children.
It’s the countdown to Christmas isn’t it! My children are fast heading towards adulthood – but I want to keep the magic alive for as long as possible
I can’t choose just one. They are all really cool and unique. I love that you shared a variety of options for every style and preference from young to older 😉
Thank you! There’s certainly a variety of Advents this year!
Wow, what a delightful surprise behind Door 5 of the Cult Pens Japanese Stationery Advent Calendar! The anticipation is real, and I can imagine the excitement of uncovering such premium treasures. The attention to detail with different-sized and weighted boxes adds an extra layer of mystery and joy. The Kamoi Kakoshi deco masking tapes in champagne gold and dot soda sound like the perfect additions for any stationery enthusiast. It’s clear why this advent calendar sold out so quickly – a true gem for all stationery lovers!
The stationery Advent is a definite favourite in our household!
There are a lot of fantastic choices here! I want a few of them but I need to narrow it down to just one. Such a hard choice!
There’s no rule to say you can only have one!
I love that there are so many choices for advent calendars now! I quite fancy having something a bit different this year!
Which one caught your eye the most?
Advent calendars are such a fun tradition for the holiday season. I always looked forward to them. Great picks for everyone! These look so lovely.
Thank you x
I really enjoyed this post. I adore surprises coming from the advent calendars. I always am tempted to buy them, as it is always such an adventure to discover what’s inside!
It’s a winner for a gift!
Yes I think so – I love opening the doors!
I’ve had a popcorn calendar before but always struggle to find something new – thank you for all these great ideas.
The popcorn ones are very nice! What are you going for this year?
These are super cool advent calendars for sure and they have come a long way over the years. They are so cool now and make a fabulous gift too! I am loving all of these!