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As the holiday season approaches, advent calendars offer a delightful way to count down to Christmas, adding a touch of magic to each December morning. Gone are the days when advent calendars were limited to simple chocolate treats—today, there’s an incredible variety to suit every taste and age group. Here’s a look at some of the different types of advent calendars available, helping you choose one that’s perfect for your family.
1. Classic Chocolate Advent Calendars
- What They Are: A small piece of chocolate behind each door, providing a sweet daily treat.
- Why We Love Them: Simple and affordable, these classic calendars are a nostalgic favourite for all ages.
- Examples: Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar and Lindt Bear Advent Calendar, available on Amazon.
2. Toy-Filled Advent Calendars
- Examples: LEGO City Advent Calendar and Playmobil Santa’s Workshop, both excellent options for children who love building and imaginative play.
- Perfect For: Young children who enjoy toys and building. Each day brings a new piece to add to their collection, creating a mini playset by Christmas.
- Available at: John Lewis and The Entertainer.
3. Beauty and Self-Care Advent Calendars
- Examples: The Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar and the No7 Beauty Advent Calendar from Boots, each filled with skincare, makeup, and more.
- Ideal For: Beauty enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a bit of pampering. These calendars feature mini skincare products, makeup, and more, allowing you to try new items daily.
4. Food and Drink Advent Calendars
- Types: Calendars filled with gourmet treats, teas, coffees, or even wine and gin miniatures.
- Examples: Whittard of Chelsea Tea Advent Calendar or the Gin Advent Calendar from Drinks by the Dram, available on Amazon.
- Great For: Foodies, tea aficionados, and anyone who enjoys an indulgent taste experience.
5. Craft and Activity Advent Calendars
- Popular Choices: Crayola’s Christmas Countdown Calendar and the DIY Craft Advent Calendar Kit.
- Fun For: Kids who love hands-on activities. These calendars offer a new mini craft or art activity each day.
- Available at: Hobbycraft.
6. Charity Advent Calendars
- What They Are: Calendars where each door reveals a suggestion for a random act of kindness or donation ideas.
- Examples: Advent of Change Charity Calendar, where each day supports a different charity with donations.
- Why They’re Meaningful: These encourage families to give back and are a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer.
- Available at: John Lewis.
7. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Advent Calendars
- Features: Reusable, refillable, or crafted from sustainable materials, such as wooden advent calendars.
- Examples: Refillable Wooden Advent Calendar Boxes, ideal for customising and reusing year after year.
- Ideal For: Eco-conscious families who want to minimise waste during the festive season.
- Available at: Etsy.
8. Pet Advent Calendars
- What’s Inside: Pet treats or toys tailored for cats, dogs, and even small animals like guinea pigs.
- Examples:
- Dogs: Lily’s Kitchen Advent Calendar for Dogs.
- Cats: Dreamies Cat Advent Calendar.
- Guinea Pigs: Piggie Parcels Christmas Advent Calendar, offering 24 days of festive foraging fun for your piggies. Piggie Parcels
- Perfect For: Pet owners who want to include their furry friends in the countdown to Christmas.
- Available at: Pets at Home for dogs and cats, and Piggie Parcels for guinea pigs.
Choosing the Right Advent Calendar for Your Family
With so many choices available, picking the perfect advent calendar can feel overwhelming. Consider what each family member would enjoy—whether it’s the sweetness of a chocolate treat, the fun of a new daily toy, or a bit of luxury with beauty samples. By choosing an advent calendar tailored to each person’s interests, you can create a daily moment of joy throughout December.
