A good Advent calendar can spark a little Christmas spirit in even the biggest grinches. This year there are so many creative and fun calendars to choose from that getting a standard chocolate one seems like a wasted opportunity. Whether you fancy beautiful bathroom products, novelty teas or just a pretty picture that opens every day, there’s an alternative Advent calendar out there for you.
Planning your perfect Christmas? Don't miss our features on the best eco-friendly Christmas decorations for a sustainable season, Britain's best Christmas markets and our Christmas tree guide: how to choose the perfect tree, plus homemade decoration ideas.
In the meantime, however, here is our pick of the best alternative Advent calendars.
Best non-chocolate Advent calendars
Roger la Borde Pop & Slot Christmas Conifer Advent calendar
Preserve a little simplicity this Christmas with an old-fashioned window Advent calendar. This charming scene created by artist Katie Vernon for Roger la Borde is one of our favourites, with a charming little picture underneath each flap.
Bird & Blend Tea Advent calendar
Bring some variety to your daily brew with this Advent calendar by independent brand Bird & Blend – the Willy Wonkas of the tea world. There are two teabags to enjoy each day with innovative flavours such as Chocolate Digestive Tea, Snowball, Rhubarb & Custard and Salted Caramel Lebkutchen. Don’t drink caffeine? There's a decaf version as well.
- Buy now from Bird & Blend (RRP £38)
Snaffling Pig Co. Pork Crackling Advent calendar
Snaffling Pig’s hugely popular pork crackling Advent calendar features six different flavours, including Marvellous Maple, Low & Slow BBQ and Black Pepper. British-made, the calendars contain RSPCA-approved pork and, new for 2022, are completely free of plastic as well as being fully recyclable. There’s also a version with beer pairings if you want to start the festive boozing from day 1 of December.
L'Occitane Advent Calendar
Count down to a delightful December with the L'Occitane Advent Calendar. Unwrap a daily dose of pampering with their best body, hair, and skincare products, beautifully packaged in a sustainable, 1970s-inspired design that pops up to reveal the iconic Provençal olive tree. Collectively worth over £120, this is a fabulous saving opportunity!
Check out their festive crackers collection for more bath and body treats!
- Buy now from L'Occitane (£62)
Holland & Barrett Advent calendar
- Buy now from Holland & Barrett (£45)
Elevate your holiday season with Holland & Barrett's Beauty Advent Calendar, a delightful way to replace traditional sweets with daily indulgences of vegan skincare, haircare, and beauty essentials.
This calendar, worth over £179, features 16 full-sized products, making it the perfect gift for beauty enthusiasts eager to sample high-quality brands like Weleda, Faith In Nature, Q&A, and Dr Organic.
- Buy now from Holland & Barrett (£45)
Pact Coffee Advent calendar
- Buy now from Pact (
RRP £34.95£29.95)
Elevate your morning ritual with the Pact Coffee Advent Calendar, a coffee lover's dream. Discover 25 exceptional and freshly ground coffees from around the world, individually packaged in sustainable, recyclable sachets, complete with detailed coffee cards for an enlightening brewing experience.
- Buy now from Pact (
RRP £34.95£29.95)
Just Spices Advent calendar
For the culinary lovers in your life, this 'Merry Spicemas' Advent calendar could be the perfect gift. Te giant tub features 24 full size spice tubs from the Just Spices range, including Chimichurri seasoning, Oatmeal Spice, and Sandwich seasoning, among other inventive options.
Enjoy your new spices with recipes from the free included recipe book!
- Buy now from Just Spices (£99.99)
Virgin Wines Advent calendar
Elevate your holiday season with the Virgin Wines Advent Calendar, a delightful countdown to Christmas featuring 24 mini bottles of red, white, and rosé wines, plus an exquisite full-size bottle for Christmas Day.
With an impressive range of wines from around the world, this calendar is sure to be a festive highlight, and you can even add a personalized gift message for a special touch. Reserve yours today for £10, with the remaining £79.99 billed when dispatched in November.
- Buy now from Virgin Wines (£89.99)
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar
Elevate your holiday spirits with the That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar, a delightful annual collaboration with Drinks by the Dram.
Explore 24 wax-sealed samples of exquisite gin from around the world, revealing a new 30ml measure each day of Advent for a festive season filled with delightful juniper flavours.
- Buy now from That Boutique-y Gin Company (£59.95)
Bonne Maman Advent Calendar
This one's for the jam lovers. The limited edition 2023 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is a delightful gift or self-treat adorned with an evocative Christmas workshop design.
Filled with exclusive jams, spreads, and seasonal surprises, each day of Advent unveils a unique mini jar of jam or spread, including exotic flavours like Milk Caramel with Cinnamon, and Pineapple and Ginger.
There's also a special herbal tea on select days, leading up to a charming festive surprise on Christmas Eve. Plus, this year receive a complimentary gift box of extra spreads with your order.
- Buy now from Bonne Maman (£33.00)
Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection
Usborne stories are a staple of childhood for modern kids, and instantly recognisable. This collection of 24 classic and modern tales has been put together to inspire little would-be readers throughout the month of December – and what could be more exciting at bedtime than opening the window to see which book you'll be reading tonight? A surefire hit with kids and parents for the festive season when little minds need to be calmed.
Our colleagues over on Gathered have a range of great step-by-step guides for making your own DIY Advent calendar kits and ideas.
Lily's Kitchen Advent calendars for cats and dogs
- Buy now for cats from Lily's Kitchen (RRP £12)
- Buy now for dogs from Lily's kitchen (RRP £12)
Are you a dog or cat 'person'? Whichever you love most, you can include them in the festivities this year by giving them their own Advent calendar. The folks at Lily's Kitchen have created one for dogs and one for cats, made with herbs, botanicals and natural ingredients, with lovely illustrations that you'll enjoy looking at for a month.
Head to Garden's Illustrated for their top list of eco friendly Advent calendars.
We hope our guide has helped you find the perfect non-chocolate Advent calendar to gift to a loved one or treat yourself to in the countdown to Christmas. Whether you're looking to pamper yourself with some hard-earned spa treatments, or you're a major jam fan, we've got you covered.
For more Christmas gifts, check out guide to the best Christmas hampers, filled with luxurious wines, cheeses, chocolates and more.
