−−− BY LINZI DAVIES −−−
For many children and adults alike, often the start of Advent and the countdown to Christmas begins with the excitement of opening the very first door on an Advent calendar.
There are so many to choose from these days from traditional chocolate to savoury treats and toys. There is an advent calendar to suit every family member and their tastes.
Here is a selection of our favourites this year!
ADULTS
DIVINE CHOCOLATE ADVENT CALENDAR
£5 from Divine, Ocado, Oxfam and Whole Foods Market
For the ethically conscious chocolate lover, Divine’s calendars are available in milk chocolate or vegan dark chocolate. Divine is the only chocolate maker co-owned by farmers, meaning when you enjoy your chocolate heart each day during Advent, you help to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families.
THE ORIGINAL CHEESE ADVENT CALENDAR
£8 from Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and Ocado
Containing 24 individual cheeses, this calendar is hugely popular with people who prefer a savoury treat. It contains 11 mouthwatering varieties from the Ilchester Cheese Company including cheddar, red Leicester, Mexicana and Applewood Smoked.
KOKA NOODLES ADVENT CALENDAR
£6.99 from Home Bargains
A different idea for those who prefer savoury treats. This calendar counts down 12 days and each day includes a pack of instant noodles to enjoy. There are 5 different flavours including chicken, tom yum and curry.
SKINNY BARS ADVENT CALENDAR
£6.99 from Home Bargains
Skinny Bars are the famous low calorie sweet treat, and this calendar contains 24 of them! There are 3 each of 8 different flavours, including both Skinny Whip and Skinny Crunch bars. A guilt free treat each day in Advent.
JUST SPICES ADVENT CALENDAR
£29.99 from www.justspices.co.uk
Each of the 24 windows contains a natural spice blend try out sachet, with one full size can of Avocado Topping in a special Christmas design. All the spice blends are made from 100% natural ingredients and offer new inspiration in the kitchen!
CHOCOCO’S COUNTDOWN
TO CHRISTMAS BOX
£27.50 from www.chococo.co.uk
If artisan chocolate made in the UK is your thing, then this is the Advent Calendar for you. The stylish box contains 25 different handcrafted luxurious chocolates with flavours including Marc de Champagne, Cherry Bakewell, and festive favourites. The last day to order is 28th November.
BIRD & BLEND TEA CO. ADVENT CALENDAR
£38 from www.birdandblendtea.com
A bright, colourful calendar with 2x tea parcels behind each of the 24 doors. It contains a mixture of fan favourites and Christmas teas such as Mulled Cider, Hazelnut Rocher, Great British Cuppa and Dozy Girl. 100% plastic free.
KIDS
MR SWIZZELS SWEET SHOP
ADVENT CALENDAR
£5 from all major retailers
Perfect for those with a sweet tooth, this colourful and fun looking calendar offers 24 days of your favourite Swizzels treats including Squashies, Refreshers, Love Hearts and Drumstick plus fun jokes and festive facts.
PANINI PREMIER LEAGUE 2023/24 ADRENALYN XL COUNTDOWN CALENDAR
£30 from Amazon, Smyths and Argos
Football fans will love this official countdown to Christmas calendar. It contains 22 trading card packets each with 6 cards and a QR code to unlock a digital packet.
LEGO STAR WARS ADVENT CALENDAR
£29.99 from Amazon
Ideal for lovers of Lego and Star Wars alike, this calendar contains 24 gifts to build including 9 characters – some of them in Christmas outfits, 10 vehicles including The Mandolorians’s N-1 and 5 iconic mini-models such as the Ewok village. Suitable for ages 6+
BUILD YOUR OWN PINBALL MACHINE ADVENT CALENDAR
£24.99 from Amazon
Why not take on a mini project during Advent? Over 24 days, build step-by -step a fully functioning table top pinball machine which will provide hours of fun. Easy to assemble, everything you need is provided in the kit – including the marbles to launch on Christmas Eve! Age 8+
INSPIRE ADVENT TREE
£35 from www.inspire.charity
This beautiful wooden Advent tree focuses on giving and charity. Each day, select the magnetic wooden shape which corresponds to the day and use it to decorate your tree. On one side is a festive picture, and the other an act of kindness to carry out that day such as ‘donate a toy’ or ‘pay someone a compliment.’ All profits from the purchase of this tree are donated to Best Beginnings charity.
PLAYIN CHOC ADVENT CALENDARS
£27.50 for 12 day, £55 for 24 day from www.playinchoc.com
Each window includes at 10g mini chocolate bar, a 3D puzzle toy, 3 stencils for creative drawing and a fun facts card. All made from sustainable recycled board and the chocolate is cruelty free and vegan.
POKEMON TCG: HOLIDAY CALENDAR
£44.99 from Argos and www.pokemoncenter.com
25 days of surprises for all Pokemon fans. From special foil cards, to booster packs there is a different goodie to open every day including foil TCG cards with a festive stamp, 3 card fun packs, coins, sticker sheets and more!
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
ACTIVITY BOOK
£4 from www.orchardtoys.com and Amazon
An alternative to a traditional calendar for younger children, this cute book features 25 fun and festive colouring and activity pages for each day of Advent, including Christmas Day. There is a letter to Santa activity with a guaranteed personal email reply plus a countdown to Christmas with 25 stickers to add to a fun pull out Advent.
VEGAN & FREE FROM
HAPPI ADVENT CALENDAR
£15 from www.happichoc.com
This bright and colourful calendar is a great option for chocoholics but without the dairy and gluten. The chocolate is made from oat milk, contains less sugar and you will try 3 different flavours in the calendar – salted caramel, milk, and orange.
NOMO CLASSIC ADVENT CALENDAR
£5 from Co-Op, Holland & Barrett, Nisa, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose
NOMO is filled with plant-based and free from chocolate meaning that vegans and those with allergies don’t need to miss out at Christmas. Each window is filled with a creamy vegan chocolate drop and you get a Creamy Choc bar to enjoy on Christmas Day.
PETS
ROSEWOOD LUXURY DELI ADVENT CALENDARS FOR CATS AND DOGS
£6.49 from Amazon and Robert Dyas
A daily Advent treat for the furry members of your family! For dogs, the flavours include duck & orange, turkey & stuffing, chicken & carrot, and lamb and rosemary. Cats can enjoy duck, chicken, salmon and chicken & cheese flavoured treats.
