It’s time to kick that old £1.99 chocolate advent calendar 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? Yeah, 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 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 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, 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. Papier Stationery Advent Calendar
Ho-ho-hold the phone, stationery lovers! Get ready to jingle all the way with the Papier Stationery Advent Calendar. Imagine 24 doors of Christmas-themed joy, each one revealing a stationery surprise.
Fancy a rainbow pen clip? It’s in there. Dreaming of a classic Papier rollerball pen? Check! From shaped sticky notes and paperclips to mini notecards and fineliners, this has your stationery wishes covered. And let’s not forget the pièce de résistance – a mini desk mood calendar to keep you jolly all year round.
All these goodies come nestled in a beautiful box because, let’s face it, your stationery deserves the VIP treatment. So, why wait for Santa? Treat yourself to an early gift and make this December a write-off in the best possible way. Unwrap the magic now!
2. Brio Christmas Train Advent Calendar
Let’s catch the train to the North Pole! Brio trains is one of the most played-with sets that I have ever purchased as a mum! So this Brio Christmas-themed advent calendar is such a cute addition to this list of advent calendars for families. Made of 100% wood it includes 24 toy pieces, including tracks, animals, accessories and exclusive seasonal content. A must-have set for young children to enjoy year after year.
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 Calendar
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. Biscuiteers Animal Advent Luxe 24 Biscuit Tin Advent Calendar
Looking for a holiday tradition with a twist? Say hello to the Biscuiteers Animal Advent Luxe 24 Biscuit Tin! This isn’t your typical advent calendar, folks. It’s a smorgasbord of whimsy and delight, ready to add a sprinkle of magic to your December mornings.
Imagine waking up to a parade of 24 hand-iced biscuits, each one a work of edible art in the shape of a different animal. A new critter awaits behind each numbered window, turning the countdown to Christmas into an enchanting safari.
But it’s not just about the looks – these beauties are as tasty as they come. Crafted using top-notch ingredients, they promise a mouth-watering treat that will have the whole family reaching for the biscuit tin.
So, why choose this as your advent calendar? Because it’s more than just a box of biscuits. It’s a chance to create joyful memories, to start each day with a dash of surprise, and to make the countdown to Christmas as sweet as can be.
Trust me, this is one advent calendar that will have you wishing the festive season could last all year round!
7. Twinings Superblends Advent Calendars For Families Who Love Tea!
Tis the season to be merry with 24 days of wondrous winter warmers. A selection of green teas and infusions with botanical ingredients or an added vitamin or mineral.
8. LEGO® Friends Advent Calendar
We love lego here – another long-lasting set that has stood the test of time. This LEGO® Friends Advent Calendar contains 24 pieces including a Christmas tree, Father Christmas, popcorn machine and reindeer! We love our 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 Toys Noahs Ark Wooden-Character Advent Calendar
Could this 100% wood Orange Tree Toys wooden advent calendar be any cuter? This Noah’s Ark 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. Snow Many Socks! Unisex Advent Calendar For Families
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 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. Barbie Dreamtopia Advent Calendar
This Barbie advent calendar includes a doll with two skirts, a pair of wings, a mermaid tail, two pairs of shoes, three tiaras, three necklaces, a wand, a hairbrush, four hairclips, a star-shaped table, five tea set pieces, four animal figures and a pet bed! Any Barbie-lover will L.O.V.E this advent calendar!
More family advent calendar ideas for you:
Natural beauty advent calendars
Handmade advent calendar ideas
Last Updated on January 19, 2024 by Lucy Clarke
