It’s time to kick the old £1.99 chocolate advent calendars to the curb! You know, the one you grabbed from the petrol station on a whim because, let’s face it, it was cheap and convenient? Yes, that one. It’s time for an upgrade!
Nowadays, the advent calendar market is as diverse and exciting as a Christmas morning stocking – only better, because the fun lasts all month long! Leading the charge are individual brands on Etsy, Not On The High Street, and other retailers like Boots and Selfridges. They’re not just breaking the mould; they’re smashing it to smithereens and creating something truly spectacular.
Whether you’re a tea aficionado, a cult beauty enthusiast, a toy collector, or a beer connoisseur, there’s an advent calendar out there with your name on it. And we’re not just talking any old brands. We’re talking Molten Brown, Benefit, Swizzels, Papier, Barbie, Roblox, Funko, and Lego – the cream of the crop, my friends.
But wait, there’s more! Small businesses are stepping into the spotlight with handcrafted advent calendars that are as beautiful as they are unique. Each one is a labour of love, a testament to their passion and creativity.
See one you like? Don’t dilly-dally! These cult advent calendars are selling faster than mince pies at a Christmas fair – I even had to swap out some of these faves whilst I was putting this post together due to them selling out in 24 hours! If you want to snag the perfect one, you’ve got to be swift and sure.
So, without further ado, allow me to present the pièce de résistance: my roundup of the very best collection of advent calendars for families.
1. Penhaligons Baker’s Box Of Delights advent calendars
Ho-ho-hold the phone, luxury lovers! Get ready to jingle all the way with the Penhaligons Baker’s Box Of Delights advent calendar. Imagine 24 doors of Christmas-themed joy, each one revealing a perfume surprise.
Inspired by the fragrant world of William Penhaligon’s “bakery,” this calendar includes a blend of mini eau de parfums, body lotions, hand creams, and candles. Some standout scents include Halfeti Eau de Parfum (10ml), the iconic Duchess Rose Eau de Parfum (10ml), and the Quercus Mini Soap. In addition, the calendar features festive treats like the Christmas 2024 charm and a collection of exclusive items like the Comoros Pearl Candle and the luxurious Mr Sam Eau de Parfum.
Each day’s surprise is crafted to deliver a warm, holiday-inspired experience, whether it’s a perfume or a pampering body care item.
2. LEGO® Disney Advent Calendar playset
The LEGO Disney Advent Calendar Playset is a fun countdown to Christmas designed for kids aged 5 and up. This 253-piece set has 24 daily surprises, each featuring a buildable toy or character from Disney classics that your little ones will love. Children can look forward to miniature builds of Elsa, Tiana, Ariel, Moana, and Mirabel, along with additional characters like Pua, Snowgie, and Sven. The box also doubles as a game board, enhancing the interactive fun. Perfect for Disney and LEGO fans, this festive calendar is packed with creative possibilities to make the holiday season extra magical
3. Breathtaking Nutcracker Ballet Advent Calendar
A breathtaking gift that will be a joy to receive and display. Create the traditional Nutcracker ballet performance with this beautiful gift-boxed advent calendar. Open the box to reveal the theatre, orchestra pit and 3 scene changes. Then each day they will receive the main characters and props, beautifully wrapped in numbered envelopes. On day 24 they will be delighted with a sensational gold-tone charm bracelet with acrylic charms, tassels and a bell. A truly special gift that will keep on giving for years to come!
4. Swizzels Sweet Factory Advent Calendars
Get ready to unwrap 24 days of delectable delights with Swizzels’ Christmas Advent Calendar. This isn’t your ordinary advent calendar, oh no! This is a confectionery countdown that’s sure to make your December the sweetest yet. Each door reveals a scrumptious surprise, from lollipops (mind you, not suitable for kiddos under 36 months) to Love Hearts – it’s like stepping into Willy Wonka’s factory every morning! And if you’re worried about the calories, don’t be. Christmas calories don’t count, right?
For 5% off swizzels you can use the code: 5GREEN
5. Family Advent Calendar Wooden Light Boxes
Made from wood and filled with sparkling twinkle lights, these are a truly wonderful idea for a family advent calendar to enjoy in the run-up to Christmas!
6. Bonne Maman Jam advent calendar
The Bonne Maman Jam Advent Calendar is a delicious way to count down to Christmas, offering 24 mini jars of gourmet conserves and jams, perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth or breakfast lover. Each day reveals a new flavour, including delicious combinations like raspberry and rose or peach with mint, all packed in cute glass pots. This advent calendar makes a thoughtful gift for foodies who enjoy starting their mornings with a touch of sweetness, especially during the festive season.
Trust me, this is one advent calendar that will have you wishing the festive season could last all year round!
7. Twinings Limited Edition Advent Calendars
Tis the season to be merry with 24 days of wondrous winter warmers. A selection of sweet, herbal, detox and green teas and infusions with botanical ingredients or an added vitamin or mineral. A tea lover’s dream!
8. LEGO® Harry Potter 2024 advent calendar
We love lego here – another long-lasting set that has stood the test of time. This LEGO® Harry Potter 2024 advent calendar contains 24 pieces including a Harry himself, Draco Malfoy, Albus Dumbledore and many more! We love our Lego Christmas Advent Calendars because we bring them out year after year, and they become one of our Christmas traditions, to bring out of the loft. My children never tire of playing with their previous advent calendars.
9. Personalised Drinks Advent Calendar
If you are wishing to get into the party mood this Christmas, here is the solution! This personalised Advent calendar holds most beer bottles (330ml size) and/or most small bottles of wine, Prosecco or Champagne.
10. Orange Tree Winter Wonderland wooden toy advent calendar
Could this 100% wood Orange Tree Toys wooden advent calendar be any cuter? This Winter Wonderland calendar contains 24 hand-painted wooden characters and is a beautiful option for one-year-olds upwards. What child wouldn’t want to open 24 doors on this beauty?
11. 12 Days of Socks Christmas Themed Advent Calendar
You can’t go wrong with socks at Christmas, and why not extend the joy by taking turns to open up a novelty pair of Christmas socks during Advent?
12. Fidget Toy Advent Calendars For Kids & Adults Alike!
Step aside, traditional advent calendars! This year, we’re counting down to Christmas with a dash of tactile delight. Let me introduce you to the Fidget Toy Advent Calendar, available on Etsy.
Why choose this as your family advent calendar? Well, it’s 24 days of fidgeting fun, for starters. From stress balls to sensory rings, each day unveils a different fidget toy, promising a surprise that’s as enjoyable as it is beneficial.
Fidget toys have taken the world by storm for their calming and stress-relieving effects. They’re not just entertaining – they’re also a fantastic tool for enhancing focus and providing sensory stimulation. And with this advent calendar, you get a new one every day leading up to Christmas. Talk about turning the festive season into a sensory adventure!
But the real cherry on top? This advent calendar is a shared experience. It brings the family together, turning the countdown to Christmas into a daily ritual of togetherness and excitement. It’s a way to create joyful memories while enjoying the benefits of sensory play.
So, whether you’re hunting for a unique advent calendar or a gift for a fidget toy aficionado, this Fidget Toy Advent Calendar is sure to tick all the boxes. Here’s to a holiday season filled with joy, excitement, and a whole lot of fidgeting fun!
13. Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar
Help build the excitement up to Christmas day this year, with this adorable charm bracelet advent calendar jewellery box. Receive a charm a day to add to a beautiful bracelet in the run-up to Christmas with this ballerina-themed advent calendar.
14. Christmas Crafts Advent Calendars
Picture this: an advent calendar brimming with creativity and DIY magic. That’s right, I’m talking about a Craft Advent Calendar. Now, why should you, the Monet of macramé, the Picasso of paper mache, consider this for your family? Let me paint you a picture.
First off, it’s no secret that crafting is a whirlwind of fun. But did you know it’s also a fantastic way to nurture creativity, develop fine motor skills, and boost self-esteem? Oh yes, every sequin glued, every ribbon tied, every button sewn is a step towards a masterpiece that’s uniquely yours. And with a craft advent calendar, you get 24 opportunities to experience this joy.
Now, let’s talk about the bonding power of crafting. There’s something magical about sitting down as a family, getting your hands busy, and letting the creativity flow. It’s a shared experience, a chance to make memories, and a surefire way to fill your home with laughter (and maybe a bit of glitter!).
But perhaps the most exciting thing about a craft advent calendar is the anticipation. Each day brings a new surprise, a new project to embark on. Who knows what you’ll find behind those windows? A DIY ornament? A festive garland? The possibilities are as endless as they are thrilling.
So, for those who love crafts, a craft advent calendar isn’t just a countdown to Christmas. It’s a journey of creativity, a celebration of imagination, and a treasure trove of family fun. And if you ask me, that’s what the holiday season is all about!
Ready to start your crafting adventure? Check out these delightful craft advent calendars on Etsy: Craft Advent Calendars. Trust me, your inner artist is going to love it!
Find your favourite craft advent calendar
15. Candle Advent Calendars – perfect for a family tradition
What’s so enchanting about these wax wonders, you ask? Picture this: Each day of December, as the excitement of Christmas builds, you light a new candle. The wick flickers to life, casting a warm, inviting glow around the room. The air fills with a delightful fragrance – maybe it’s cinnamon spice one day, fresh pine the next – each scent capturing the essence of the holiday season. It’s not just an advent calendar; it’s a sensory experience.
And let’s not forget the beauty of these calendars. Handmade with care and oozing rustic charm, they’re a splendid addition to your festive decor. Place one on your mantelpiece or your dining table and watch as it becomes a conversation piece, sparking joy and excitement every time a new candle is lit.
But perhaps the most magical thing about a Candle Advent Calendar is the tradition it creates. The act of lighting a candle isn’t just a countdown; it’s a moment of calm in the holiday hustle, a chance to gather as a family, reflect on the day, and bask in the anticipation of Christmas. And isn’t that what the holiday season is all about? Togetherness, joy, and a little bit of magic?
Oh, and did I mention they make fabulous gifts? Know someone who loves candles? You’ve just found the perfect present. Trust me, they’ll be waxing lyrical about it long after the holidays are over.
So, if you’re looking for an advent calendar that brings warmth, delight, and a dash of festive fragrance into your home, look no further than a Candle Advent Calendar.
Check them out here: Candle Advent Calendars. Get ready to light up your Christmas countdown, one candle at a time!
16. FUNKO POP! Harry Potter Advent Calendar
This amazing Harry Potter-themed Funko advent calendar includes 24 Funko Pocket Pops! These become collector’s items, and the Funko advent calendars sell out so fast every year. Be quick to add these 24 mini Harry Potter characters to your collection!
17. Christmas Badges For Advent Calendars
These Christmas theme badges have a mix of funny phrases. They work great as advent calendar fillers, Christmas cracker gifts, stocking fillers, or little top-up gifts! Challenge your children to wear their Christmas badges on their school bags each day of advent to spread a little bit of cheeky Christmas fun amongst their classmates.
18. Beauty Advent Calendars for all the fam
Imagine a countdown to Christmas that’s as glamorous as a red carpet event, as thrilling as a surprise party, and as satisfying as finding the perfect shade of lipstick on the first try. Can’t picture it? Well, you don’t have to because the Beauty Advent Calendars from Selfridges are here to turn that fantasy into reality!
Now, why should you, the beauty enthusiast, consider one of these coveted calendars? Oh, let me count the ways.
Firstly, it’s like having your own personal beauty boutique right at your fingertips. Each calendar is brimming with the crème de la crème of beauty products, from skincare saviours to makeup marvels to fragrances that’ll have you smelling divine. Think Jo Malone London, Giorgio Armani, Charlotte Tilbury, and more – yes, we’re talking big names, darling!
But it’s not just about the brands. It’s about the thrill of discovery. Each window opens to reveal a new product, turning the countdown to Christmas into a daily dose of beauty excitement. And with perfectly proportioned miniatures, you get to experiment and find new favourites without committing to full-sized products. Plus, they’re so small, you can pop them into your clutch or carry-on – beauty on the go, anyone?
And let’s not forget, these calendars make fabulous gifts. Know someone who swoons over skincare or gets giddy over glosses? You’ve just found their perfect present.
Last but not least, when you buy from Selfridges, you’re buying from the Best Department Store in the World. They deliver to over 130 countries, so no matter where you are, you can join in the festive beauty fun.
A beauty advent calendar from Selfridges is not just a purchase. It’s an adventure, a celebration, a journey of beauty exploration. So why wait? Grab yours and let the glamorous countdown begin!
Find them here: Beauty Advent Calendars. And remember, the only thing better than looking good is feeling good – and with these calendars, you get to do both!
19. The Best Advent Calendars in the World for Dogs
Is your dog your best friend? You can get Advent Calendars for Dogs. Yes! You read that right. Biscuits, popcorn, wax melts, shampoo, paw balm, and odour spray are all included in this gorgeously designed bundle of loveliness, but check out the link below to look at all sorts of options for dogs!
20. Polly Pocket Gingerbread house advent calendar playset
This Polly Pocket advent calendar includes a gingerbread house 2x dolls and 24 little surprises that your little one will love to open each day! It’s a Polly Pocket lover’s dream advent calendar!
21. Musical Christmas Advent Calendar
This Musical Christmas Advent Calendar from Not on the Highstreet is perfect for all of the family.
Dancing Ricemonsters skate around the frozen lake as Christmas melodies play, helping you count down to the most wonderful time of the year!
Behind each window of this unique 25 door calendar is a new exciting gift.
Three magnetic characters (that magically dance on the calendar’s base), pop-up friends, card models to build and sticker packs to decorate the Christmas scene! Each window tells part of a story that little ones will love waking up to and playing along with each morning.
22. Personalised Kindness Advent Calendar For Kids
Encourage kindness and spread Christmas cheer with this fun advent calendar for kids.
Full of heart warming Christmas activities, this advent calendar is on a mission to spread kindness. Because one small act of kindness can make someone’s day and make you feel happy too!
To do this, all you need to do is carry out one or more act of kindness every day of December, then write each one in this calendar. There is a kind suggestion for each day if you need ideas.
This advent calendar comes with a set of ‘I’m Nice’ stickers and a Santa’s nice list guarantee! To ensure your place on Santa’s nice list this year, leave this calendar out with your stocking on Christmas eve.
23. Christmas Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar
Make the countdown to Christmas more exciting than ever with a Cocoba Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar, containing 24 delicious hot chocolate treats!
Count down to Christmas in the cosiest way possible, with a delectable hot chocolate every day! Open our joyful advent calendar and enjoy 24 days of sipping your way through hot chocolate bombes, hot chocolate spoons and hot chocolate flakes, all in a variety of flavours and made from the highest quality Belgian chocolate.
24. Boots Limited Edition 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar Exclusive
From haircare to skincare and makeup in between; there is plenty to enjoy and discover. Unveil your daily dose of big-brand beauty including Blusher, Shampoo, Body Cream, Body Mist, Eye Patches, Face Primer, Face Serum, Face Cleanser, Brow Gel, Foot Cream, Body Scrub, Liquid Lipstick, Hair Protection, Setting Spray, Blusher, Bronzer, Face Moisturiser, Hand Cream, Lip Stain, Hand Balm and Eye Cream.
This incredible calendar contains all the indulgent skincare & hair care pamper treats and glamourous makeup for the festive season and beyond.
A perfect pre-Christmas self-treat or be sure to stay on your loved ones nice lists because this makes for a mega gift for friends and family.
Includes 24 products with half being full size and the rest being great trial and travel sizes.
25. Benefit’s The Gorgeous Grocer Advent Calendar
Benefit’s Gorgeous Grocer is your one-stop shop for stocking up on all things beauty. Want holiday specials? Done. 24 days of surprises that are perfect for gifting (or taking for yourself)? It’s all in there! From fresh brow looks to cheek treats to crave-worthy lashes and so much more, this jam-packed advent calendar has it all for the holidays and beyond.
Jam packed with your favourite Benefit goodies, it’s a beauty lover’s dream!
More family advent calendars for you:
Natural beauty advent calendars
Handmade advent calendar ideas
Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by Lucy Clarke
