It's that time of year again! Christmas is less than 10 weeks away and you need to get your advent calendars sorted before they sell out. I love Christmas, and the advent countdown is one of my favourite things about the season. It's like a little present each day of December! So, here is a short run-down of my best advent calendars this year - it's a shame I can't have them all! Let me know which is your favourite? Which one will you be getting yourself, friends and/or family?
Disclaimer: I am not paid to promote any of these calendars, there are no affiliate links.
1. The Grand Advent Calendar - Hotel Chocolat [£75.00]
 |
| The Grand Advent Calendar |
For those with a sweet tooth that want more from their standard chocolate calendars. Each window varies from small chocolate treats, chocolate slabs, or even a tiny bottle of your favourite alcohol. Perhaps this one is better enjoyed in the evenings...
(Also as a bonus, after the Christmas season look out for their sales! Who said Christmas had to stop after December 25th?)
2. Craft Cider Advent Calendar - Bristol Cider Shop [£89.00]
 |
| Craft Cider Advent Calendar |
My partner loves cider, and men are typically so hard to buy for! So this is a really great opportunity to get something a bit different. It's full of award winning ciders from across the UK and contains some exclusive flavours too! Again, probably not one to open in the morning but definitely something to look forward to after a hard days work.
3. Pokémon TGC: Holiday Calendar - Amazon [£44.99]
 |
| Pokémon TGC: Holiday Calendar |
Moving away from food and drink, we have this trendy calendar. I've seen this across social media and, although I'm not a fan, know there's a huge fanbase out there. I love the way it folds open to reveal the windows and the design is beautiful. It's is guaranteed to include: 8 foil promo cards with festive stamp, 5 Pokémon TGC booster packs, 7 Pokémon TGC 3-card fun packs, 2 Pokémon coins, 2 colourful sticker sheets, and 1 sidekick dangler.
As I'm writing this, it is currently on sale too with 11% off!
4. The Tea Advent Calendar - Whittard [£25.00/£70.00]
 |
| The Tea Advent Calendar |
Another beautifully decorated calendar here, filled with tea! I'm a huge fan of Whittard, massive fan. I think I own just about every flavour of their Hot Chocolate (so I am disappointed they don't have a hot chocolate equivalent of this calendar!), but I do also purchase their wonderful flavours of tea when given the opportunity. My partner is currently drinking the Dreamtime flavour every night before bed and it has helped improve his sleep! I would have it, but I have to be careful with my sugar levels due to the gestational diabetes I currently have while pregnant... And their Christmas tea is amazing, something I buy my Dad every year.
The great thing about this calendar, is that there's a version for a single person and a calendar for two! Both have 19 different flavours to unveil throughout the advent period. The only difference in contents being the single person version has two teabags per day, whereas the version for two has four each day. I'd probably have the two person one just to myself based on the amount of tea I drink! I do also prefer the draws in the advent calendar for two rather than the windows in the single person version. Whittard's have never let me down!
5. Advent Wreath/Advent Book - Yankee Candle [£27.99/£49.99]
Pretty much every year I've bought a Yankee Candle Advent Calendar. I love candles, and their scents are amazing. I enjoy lighting candles, especially at Christmas time. Through those Winter months, having a candle burning just brings so much coziness and comfort.
The Advent Wreath includes a beautifully festive tealight holder, along with 3 tealights of 8 different scents. Whereas the Advent Book holds much more variety including 12 tealights all in a different scent, 12 votive candles with individual scents, plus the festive tealight holder. Which one would you go for?
6. 12 Days of Dazzle - Oliver Bonas [£275.00]
:fill(white)/https://www.oliverbonas.com/static/media/catalog/product/a/d/advent_calendar_154.jpg) |
| 12 Days of Dazzle |
On the pricier side we have this green advent calendar from Oliver Bonas. I've never been aware they did countdowns to advent before this year so this is a wonderful surprise for me. You can choose from either gold or silver and receive a beautiful piece of jewellery for the 12 Days of Christmas. These pieces are designed to either be worn on their own or layered together and will look amazing for those Christmas parties!
Not only do you get your classy jewellery, once you've opened all the drawers you can turn them around and use the box as a container for your jewellery collection! Or even save it for next year, fill the draws up, and regift/reuse.
7. Christmas Buds Advent Calendar - LUSH [£125.00]
 |
| Christmas Buds Advent Calendar |
It wouldn't be right to leave out LUSH's advent calendar from this list. 25 days of bath products? Yes please. Some are even exclusive to this calendar which I would be gutted to miss out on. There's a variety behind each door - bubble bars, bath bombs, melts, and Fun. Some I do recognise as my Christmas time favourites - the Snow Fairy bubble bar which is extremely popular, the Snowman and the Santa... plus my all time favourite item is included which is the Comforter bubble bar. My only wary of this calendar is that gold gingerbread man! So much glitter = so much cleaning! But all totally worth it for that relaxing moment of peace in the bath.
There are two other advent calendars that LUSH are doing this year, one is for £195 which includes a wider variety of products beyond the bath and the other is a 12 Days of Christmas calendar which also contains more than just bath bombs priced at £80.
8. Star Wars/Marvel/Friends/Harry Potter/City Advent Calendar - LEGO [£19.99/£29.99]
 |
| LEGO Advent Calendar |
LEGO is also a yearly favourite of mine for advent calendars. I have a few people in my family who enjoy LEGO and building the sets, so it's always a hit. I'm not really too much of a fan of the City or Friends collections. However, the other collections are more my friends and family sort of thing.
The Star Wars version has adorable mini builds of vehicles - including the AT-ST. I literally can't get over how cute they are. Plus there are some funny characters like a Gonk Droid dressed as a reindeer and an Ewok in a holiday outfit. Even the Emperor is wearing a festive jumper!
For Marvel, I was a little confused as the images seem to show that it contains less than the others... but after reading the description it actually sounds a lot better than it looks. First off we have Captain America wielding Mjolnir which is fantastic, and perhaps worth it for that alone! There are six other figures which include Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Wong. Again, this set comes with adorable mini vehicles such as the Quinjet and Hydra Train. My only qualm with this, is that Bucky Barnes isn't included.
Capturing the wonderful spirit of Hogsmeade at Christmas time, we have Harry Potter. This set is particularly exciting as it includes Aberforth Dumbledore - which is a first ever! You do also get the classic trio plus a couple of other friends. Now instead of the mini vehicles, there are a few items relating to either The Three Broomsticks, The Hog's Head Inn, Zonko's Joke Shop, or Honeydukes - all well-known locations in Hogsmeade. It has been confirmed that this set is safe for all Witches, Wizards, and Muggles.
9. The Escape Room Advent Calendar - Amazon [£12.99]
 |
| The Escape Room Advent Calendar |
For those who enjoy puzzles and mystery! A new revelation each day for you to work out on your phone. This can be played either as an individual or as a fun family activity. I thought this was a great way to use a countdown of advent, especially since it can be a group activity and it's so easy to use as it's on the smartphone. There are varying difficulty levels, but you do have the opportunity for clues. Hopefully you'll have reached a satisfying end come Christmas Day!
10. The Sunshine Box Wellbeing Advent - The Sunshine Box Shop [£30.00]
 |
| The Sunshine Box Wellbeing Advent |
There are many great and unique advent calendars available on Etsy, so I highly recommend having a look if you want to move away from your typical mainstream stuff. There's something comforting about having a handmade/hand curated thing, it makes you feel special. I found this bestselling wellness calendar from The Sunshine Box Shop, and it's so thoughtfully curated and put together.
If you, or someone you know, has had a particularly stressful year or if you know they're super into their wellbeing then this is perfect. It focusses on mindfulness and self care, featuring skin care items and other small treats for soul, body, and mind.
Honourable Mentions
Rubber Duck Advent Calendar - Amazon [£6.59 - £14.59]
 |
| Rubber Duck Advent Calendar |
On the cheaper and more novelty side - or alternatively for younger kids or collectors of the rubber duck (I admit I do have a small collection...), this is a perfect advent calendar without those sugary treats! The mini ducks are so sweet, each with their own personality, and perfect for bath-time play.
There are four different options on this calendar, each with a different collection of ducks. I liked this one the best simply because of the knitted hats! But there are more Christmassy themed versions.
William Morris At Home, Peacock & Bird Beauty Advent Calendar - John Lewis [£45.00]
 |
| William Morris At Home, Peacock & Bird Beauty Advent Calendar |
I'm just blown away at the beauty of this calendar. I adore William Morris patterns/artwork, and this box beautifully displays the Peacock & Bird carpet design. Behind each window are either bath fizzers, bath salts, hand & body wash, foam baths, and hand creams - all with delicate and gorgeous scents.
Mindful Moments Advent Calendar - ChilliWinter [£22.00]
 |
| Mindful Moments Advent Calendar |
A delicate and tiny advent calendar, filled with beeswax candles for you to light each day of advent. A brass stand is included for ease of use, and to bring yourself 10-15 minutes of restful time for yourself. The year has been hard and long, and Christmas is busy. Ensuring you're taking those important moments for yourself should be valued.
Let me know what advent calendar's you've gone for this year!
~ Sovay ✧
0 comments