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It is a really popular tradition to have an advent calendar that you begin on December the 1st. Some think it is just for children however many adults love the opportunity for an advent calendar and a nice little surprise each morning. Traditionally it might have been the chocolate advent calendar you had, where each day you opened up a door and there was a nice little chocolate treat. But things have moved on, and there are so many other thighs you could do. Here are some of the best advent calendar ideas that are a little different.
Advent calendar ideas for the children
Children love an advent calendar. It is a nice and easy way for them to count down to the big day and when Father Christmas will be making a visit. But, if you want to step away from the traditional chocolate advent you might buy in the shop, here are a couple of other suggestions that you might want to try.
A toy advent calendar
A great option is to consider a toy advent calendar and there are so many now to choose from. You can find that there are toy advent calendars that will suit a theme or specific TV show or characters that your child may like. Playmobil also does great advent calendars, especially a Christmas-themed one, where you can collect little things each day and build up a display that they can then play with. Another option is a playdough advent calendar or ones specific to younger children whereas here as a parent you might not want them to have sweets or chocolates. A toy advent can be so exciting for your little ones.
BRIO World 2023 Christmas Advent Calendar
Retailers: Amazon
When you fold down the front of the packaging, a Christmas scene is revealed. Behind each of the 24 doors is a Brio toy that fits the Brio World train sets, e.g. Rails, animals, accessories and exclusive Christmas items such as Santa Claus and a unique, wintry steam train with space for a figure
Plus-Plus Advent Calendar
Retailers: Amazon
Imagine waking up to a brand-new construction adventure every morning. With the Plus-Plus Advent Calendar, each day reveals a surprise project and its accompanying instructions. From delightful ornaments to charming characters, your Christmas story takes shape piece by colourful piece!
Build each day’s creation, and watch as your very own Christmas story unfolds before your eyes. Elves, reindeer, cosy houses, and twinkling stars come to life, one day at a time. And guess what? Santa’s grand arrival isn’t the only treat – there’s a special surprise waiting on December 25th!
Lego Advent Calendars
Retailers: Amazon
Is there ever an age where we grow out of LEGO? I guess that is why they put age-99 on some of their boxes as everyone can’t seem to miss the opportunity to build a LEGO pack or two. This Christmas there is a wide range of different LEGO Advent Calendars available no matter which of their themes you love the most.
- LEGO 60381 City Advent Calendar
- LEGO 41758 Friends Advent Calendar
- LEGO 76418 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
- LEGO 76267 Marvel Avengers Advent Calendar
- LEGO 75366 Star Wars Advent Calendar
A book advent calendar
Another option to think about would be a book advent calendar. There are two ways you can do this. You can buy one where there will be small books in a pocket each day ready for your little one. Or you could look at buying some Christmas books either searching in charity shops or buying them over the course of the year, and then wrapping them individually and numbering them for your little ones. It is a nice way to have some reading time with your child before bed.
The Enchanted Christmas Treasury
Retailers: Amazon
The Enchanted Christmas Treasury (aimed at readers aged five to eight) features stories of ninja nans, brave pups and fallen angels finding their way back to the top of the Christmas tree, in tales that will charm everyone. Children will be delighted by the whimsical characters, enchanted settings, and heartwarming messages contained in each of the pages.
The best part? The magic will transport children and parents alike to a world of enchantment and wonder, as they read together and create special memories lasting a lifetime.
All the proceeds raised from sales of The Enchanted Christmas Treasury will help fund the work of SENStory, a UK-wide not-for-profit Community Interest Company, helping children, young people, and families with Special Educational Needs navigate their journeys in nature through therapy, play, learning and training opportunities.
Disney Princess Storybook Collection Advent Calendar
Count down to Christmas with all the Disney Princesses! With 24 books to unwrap this festive season, enjoy a magical tale every day in the run-up to Christmas.
Retailers: Books2Door, Amazon, The Works, eBay
Ages: 4-6 years
Create your own with sweets and chocolate
If you still want to give your child a sweet treat then instead of buying one you can create your own with sweets and chocolates. You could buy ornaments with little doors or a fabric advent calendar that you hang up and reuse each year.
Winter Farmhouse Wooden Advent Calendar
Why not countdown to Christmas with a farmhouse advent calendar from Lights4fun. With a warm and inviting look, the windows of this 43cm tall advent calendar are illuminated by 3 warm white LEDs for a nostalgic Christmas glow. Place a small treat behind each door as you work your way up to the big day with an extra big treat on Christmas eve. This classic decoration is hand painted in red and white making it the perfect traditional statement piece for styling anywhere in your home.
Retailers: Lights4Fun
Advent calendar ideas for the adults
As adults, we don’t want to have to miss out on all the fun. So there are a few options that you might want to consider for yourself this year.
Nespresso x Fusalp Advent Calendar
Retailers: Nespresso
Experience the magic of the Alps at home this holiday season with Nespresso x Fusalp. Born in the Alps, Fusalp is a French luxury outerwear brand known for its iconic diamond smock pattern, which has inspired our collaboration. Explore a range of coffees, including new limited-edition festive blends, available for both Original and Vertuo coffee machines.
Don’t miss the Nespresso Advent Calendars, offering a tasting journey through the festive season with a coffee capsule a day and a special surprise behind the 24th door. This holiday season, savour unforgettable moments in our enchanting alpine world.
A beauty calendar
One advent calendar that has massively grown in popularity recently is a beauty calendar. There are some incredible ones that have over £500 worth of products in them, and companies like Liberty London and The White Company are always hugely popular. You can get more budget-friendly ones such as the Cath Kidston Beauty Advent Calendar that still work out worthwhile, ones specific to skincare or makeup. The options are endless and you are bound to find a beauty calendar that you will love.
Revolution Superdrug Edit Advent Calendar 2023
Retailers: Superdrug
It’s the most glamorous time of the year! Prep for the festive season with the ultimate countdown – the Superdrug Edit Advent Calendar! From juicy glosses and pigmented liners to detail brushes and super-stay brow gels, beauty lovers will obsess over this selection of must-have products – worth over £90!
A Skincare Advent Calendar
Use ADVENT2023 for a 10% Discount on The Body Shop Advent Calendars until the end of November.
The Body Shop: Advent of Wonders Advent Calendar
Retailers: The Body Shop
Discover daily joy as you countdown to Christmas Eve with the 24 little surprises hiding in The Advent of Wonders pop-up beauty advent calendar; worth £119 – saving £60.
Body Shop is committed to a future where a more responsible way of living benefits our planet. This is why this Christmas, they are celebrating the small acts of positive change inside each of the treats, whether that’s more recyclable* packaging or Community Fair Trade ingredients.
So with every day you open, and every action you take, you’ll have a positive impact on your beautiful body and beyond.
The Body Shop: Big Advent of Wonders Advent Calendar
Retailers: The Body Shop
Discover daily joy as you countdown to Christmas Day with the 25 head-to-toe treats hiding in The Big Advent of Wonders. Worth £173.50 – saving £78.50.
You’ll find some seriously good surprises hiding in your calendar, crafted with high-quality ingredients that not only work hard for your body, but also encourage you to practice self-love every day.
This Advent calendar doesn’t just bring love and happiness to you. With Community Fair Trade ingredients and recyclable* packaging, it brings a little love to our global partners too.
The Body Shop: The Ultimate Advent of Wonders Advent Calendar
Retailers: The Body Shop
Discover daily joy as you countdown to Christmas Day with the 25 head-to-toe treats hiding in The Ultimate Advent of Wonders. Worth £250 – saving £105.
This calendar is packed with. So, behind many doors are delightful surprises you can be sure that you’re helping to support the people at the heart of our programme with a fair price in return for their skills and knowledge.
A boozy advent calendar
Many people love an alcoholic beverage at Christmas, and now you can get advent calendars dedicated to your favourite drinks. There are wine advents, prosecco, and even gin advent calendars that you could have – or how about a Dead Man’s Fingers Rum Advent Calendar? This is a lovely way to build up a little collection to enjoy over the Christmas period.
General advent calendar ideas that will work for anyone
Lastly, there are other advent calendars that could work well for children, adults, or as a family advent. Here are some of the suggestions that you might want to try.
A random acts of kindness calendar
If you have your own advent then instead of filling it with chocolate you could fill it with random acts of kindness suggestions. It might be things like donating to a food bank or litter picking. Search online for some ideas to fill yours.
A reverse advent calendar
A reverse advent calendar is usually done in November, but you could do it in December if you wanted. Each day instead of taking something you put something into a box such as a food staple or toiletries. You can then donate your box of goodies at the end of the month to your local homeless shelter or food bank.
Advent Calendar Jigsaw Puzzle
Whilst you might be mistaken in thinking that completing jigsaw puzzles is something that is relegated to young children or at your grandparent’s house, they can, in fact, be really good fun. Count down the days to Christmas by completing a fun and engaging ‘Stand-up’ character Christmas jigsaw puzzle. Make the age-old ritual of the advent calendar part of your loved ones’ cherished memories with this charming wooden keepsake.
Retailers: Wentworth Puzzles – Check out their Christmas Jigsaw Puzzles collection.
Don’t dismiss a chocolate advent calendar
One of the benefits of the countdown to Christmas has to be the opportunity to munch on a piece of your favourite chocolate each morning! There is a wide range of chocolate advent calendars available, with some available for selected diets too – easily picked up from your local supermarket or high street retailer and cost anything from around £1 to £10+ depending on what type of chocolate advent calendar that you go for.
Hopefully, this has given you plenty of ideas for advent calendars this year.
Be sure to check out our other Christmas Gift Guides!
