Which advent calendars are the best of 2023? We have the lowdown
These cleverly crafted Christmas countdowns have evolved far beyond traditional chocolate treats.
We’ve curated a selection that caters to a wide range of interests, from beauty essentials to gourmet delights. Each one comes from beloved brands such as Boots, Astrid & Miyu, Hotel Chocolat and more.
But beware, these picks are notorious for selling out quickly every holiday season. So if you see one that piques your interest, add it to your basket pronto!
Read more: Check out the hottest beauty advent calendars of the year
Shop unique advent calendars for adults
Macmillan 24 Doors of Joy Beauty Advent Calendar
The Whiskey Exchange The Perfect Measure Lucky Dip Whisky & Spirits Advent Calendar
Bonne Maman Advent Calendar
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With every purchase of this calendar, £2 is donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Sound good? Well, wait ‘til you hear what’s behind the 24 doors.
Boasting brands such as Liz Earle, Ted Baker, Champneys and more, this offering is one of the best beauty advent calendars on the market. It also contains a fabulous selection of No7 and Boots own brand skincare and makeup travel-sized must-haves.
Photo: The Whiskey Exchange
Embrace the Christmas spirit (excuse the pun) with this alcoholic advent calendar that houses 25 miniature bottles of whisky, rum, gin and more.
The drinks have a variety of origins (from Europe to Asia and the USA) and all come with distinctive flavour profiles, ensuring no sample tastes the same as the one before.
It’s a perfect gift for those who like to try new distilleries but also love to indulge in old favourites such as Hendrick’s and Frapin.
Full of jams, marmalades and spreads, this delightful Christmas calendar has 23 samples and two extra surprises.
From ‘Apricot and Lavender’ to ‘Pineapple and Passionfruit’ and ‘Cherry and Elderflower’, these unique flavour combinations provide a delightful upgrade to your usual morning toast.
Each comes in an iconic Bonne Maman jar, perfect for reusing around the kitchen or even storing special trinkets.
Papier describes its debut calendar as ‘a limited edition box filled with 24 desk delights.’
The calendar includes a ton of the brand’s bestsellers such as sticky notes, notebooks, pens and more.
And we’re betting this unique piece will sell out quickly.
Just Spices is a retailer that (unsurprisingly) sells an array of spice blends, ideal for easily adding extra flavour and excitement to meals. The spice mixes are unique and unlike anything you can find in your local supermarkets.
The brand’s fun calendar holds 24 spice mixes and seasonings. And with a quick scan of the calendar’s QR code, you can find a recipe to perfectly complement each spice you unbox.
Astrid & Miyu’s iconic calendars sell out ridiculously fast every year. So, while they’re not on sale yet, if you’d like to be among the first to snap one up, register your interest at the link above.
We have our eye on the 24 Day Calendar which is available in silver and gold. From necklaces to bracelets and rings, the contents are dainty, elegant and classic like all the pieces available from the popular jewellery brand.
Photo: Not On the High Street
Featuring 24 sample-sized bottles of vodka, this pick is a great option for those who love their spirits with a punch.
Each miniature vodka comes with some serious heat that is more intense than the one before it. The spice level goes from 10,000 Scovilles (the official measurement for spiciness) all the way up to 240,000 Scovilles — so expect a searing, fierce heat the closer you get to Christmas Day.
Unlike conventional calendars with doors, this edition from Biscuiteers comes in a reusable Christmas-themed tin. So that’s an immediate win in our book.
Inside are 24 vanilla-flavoured biscuits that have been delicately hand-iced with all kinds of seasonal designs such as snowmen, stockings, stars and more.
Investing in this is the best way to get your sugary fix without settling on one of the typical chocolate calendars.
Does your sock collection desperately need replenishing?
Well, the most enjoyable way to expand your drawer is with this unusual gem.
It contains 24 pairs of socks in a range of colourful designs including pineapple motifs, stripey styles, Christmassy patterns and so much more.
All the socks come with a reinforced heel and toe (no more holes after a single wear!) and are made from an ultra-soft, breathable combed cotton blend.
Photo: Paxton & Whitfield
To ensure you get the freshest hand-cut artisanal cheeses, this special advent calendar comes in three deliveries (each of which brings eight portions of cheese). Expect new and classic picks from all over the UK and Europe including varieties such as gruyere, stilton and more.
You’ll also receive a fact sheet to accompany every delivery with information on the cheeses and their makers as well as pairing or recipe ideas.
Not only is this calendar a delectable treat for yourself, it’s also perfect for inspiring your platter creations for the party season.
Brimming with festive and other classic scents, this calendar is a wonderful buy for those who love to fill their home with glittering candles. Some of the stand-out options are ‘Pink Cherry Vanilla’, ‘Christmas Cookie’ and ‘Wild Orchid’.
You’ll find a mixture of filled votives and tea lights as well as a silver-plated glass tea light holder for you to display your new discoveries.
If you’re going to indulge in a chocolate calendar this year, make it a Hotel Chocolat one. That way, you’re guaranteed luxurious, decadent chocs that have been made with high-quality pure cocoa butter.
This edition from the brand is our favourite as it houses 24 days’ worth of its most iconic chocolates. From rich pralines to nutty florentines and fruit-filled delights, the treats you’ll uncover are all equally delicious.
Turn the heat up this winter with this cheeky offering from Ann Summers.
Featuring seven different adult toys and three accessories as well as two oils and lotions, the calendar has been designed to provide endless excitement.
It’s a brilliant option for those looking to embrace unexplored types of pleasure or even for couples keen to introduce something new to their bedroom routine.
One of the most in-demand calendars of the past few years, this Joe and Seph’s pick contains 24 packs of handmade gourmet popcorn and a total of 12 different flavours.
The varieties included are totally distinctive; think Orange Chocolate, Banoffee Pie, Raspberry Cheesecake and more. Plus, the popcorn is made from all-natural ingredients, is gluten-free and is suitable for vegetarians.
Which advent calendar is worth it?
While every calendar offers an exciting start to the festive season, our research indicates
beauty editions tend to give you the most bang for your buck. Why? Because the total cost of the calendars is almost always less than the total cost of the contents. Our favourite is the Boots Macmillan Calendar.
What is the most luxurious advent calendar in the UK?
For us, the best luxury advent calendars are Astrid & Miyu’s and Paxton & Whitfield’s. While both are pricey options, the quantity and quality of items you receive behind each of the doors are outstanding.
The former delivers elegant pieces of jewellery while the latter offers excellent cheeses made from the finest ingredients.
Who does the best advent calendars?
Every year, certain brands are in exceptionally high demand and sell out in no time at all. These include:
These names can always be trusted for some of the coolest advent calendars of the year — so make sure you snap yours up quickly!
When should I gift my advent calendar?
Anytime before December 1 is perfect. That ensures your loved one can open their calendar as soon as the month begins to fully embrace the festive season.
What is the very best advent calendar?
Our favourites of the year are the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar for its unique jams and exciting flavours, the Just Spices Small Advent Calendar because of its exciting spice blends and variety of seasonings and the Happy Socks Gift Set as it’s a fun yet incredibly useful calendar.
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Prices updated on 26/09/2023. We are not responsible for any changes made to the prices listed.
