There are many reasons why Advent kicks off the most wonderful time of the year – and in many ways, it’s actually better than Christmas. All the fun, glitz and glamour as the excitement builds, but none of the pressure or disappointment!
Our Christmas plans may be a little different to normal this year. So, if you’re less than joyous about the upcoming Zoom office party, or being at home (again) for a big roast turkey, it’s time to up the ante come December 1st.
Invest in some of these brilliant Advent calendars, dot them around your home while you string up fairy lights, hide chocolates inside trinket boxes and get the mulled wine on to boil. If ever we deserved it, it’s this year.
1. For the beer guzzler
Grab a daily craft beer treat with the Beer Hawk 2020 Advent Calendar, £85 (worth £110), beerhawk.co.uk.
2. For the Potterheads
Put your knowledge to the test with this Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Quiz Advent, £12, Marks & Spencer, filled with soft-centred chocolate patronuses and choccy balls. Available in store.
3. For the organisers
Pens, paper clips, pads, pretty bulldog clips, the 2020 Stationery Advent Calendar, £28, from Paperchase (paperchase.com) has everything you need.
4. For the pamperers
A little bit of ‘me time’ lies behind every one of the 24 doors in The Ritual Of Advent calendar, £59.90, Boots (boots.com).
5. For the LOL-lovers
What could be more exciting that unboxing a mini LOL bath or beauty treat every day of December? LOL Surprise Advent Calendar, £14.99, Argos (Argos.co.uk).
6. For the caffeine addicts
Wake up to a freshly-brewed proper cup of coffee every day of Advent with the Taste The Difference Coffee Pod Advent Calendar, £10, Sainsbury’s – available at 120 selected stores.
7. For the peanut butter fiends
Containing 23 foil-wrapped Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures in a mixture of white, milk and dark chocolate, and two full-size white Peanut Butter Cups waiting to be gobbled up on December 24, Reese’s Peanut Butter Miniatures Advent, £5, Tesco (tesco.com), will keep you going.
8. For the gin slurpers
Because it wouldn’t be Christmas if there wasn’t gin on the table, Craft Gin Club’s 25 Gins Of Christmas, £99.95, contains a delicious double shot for every day of Advent, and one for December 25 too. Sign up to the waiting list at club.craftginclub.co.uk.
9. For the sober curious
Why should non-drinkers, or anyone wanting to cut back on boozing, miss out on lovely slurps this December? Join the sober curious movement with Holland & Barrett’s Alcohol Free Drinks Advent Discovery Box, £49.99, hollandandbarrett.com.
10. For the mindfulness masters
Take some time out to de-stress every day with Gibson’s Christmas Around The World Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar, £28, and create Christmas puzzles and decorations to keep forever. Available from gibsonsgames.co.uk.
11. For the skincare gurus
Give your skin radiance and nourishment this Christmas, with the Nuxe Beauty Countdown Advent Calendar Gift Set, £59, nuxe.com.
12. For the vegans
If you’re going to eat popcorn, it simply has to be Joe & Seph’s. Whether it’s Strawberry Caramel, Salted Maple or Orange Chocolate, these 24 treats are all 100% vegan. Joe & Seph’s Vegan Popcorn Advent Calendar, £25, joeandsephs.co.uk.
13. For the traditional
This set includes a wooden Father Christmas and 24 other numbered festive friends to add to the Christmas tree every day of Advent. Woodland Christmas Advent Calendar, £45, Great Little Trading Co (gltc.co.uk).
14. For the skin-groomers
Every man who has a skincare regime might outwardly squeal with excitement at the Men’s Beauty Advent Calendar 2020 from Liberty (libertylondon.com). £195, but collectively worth over £460, the calendar contains 18 full-size products and seven minis.
15. For the chocoholics
Who wouldn’t want an Advent calendar by the ethical chocolate brand created by James Cadbury (the great-great-great grandson of Mr John Cadbury)? Luxury Chocolate Advent Calendar, £22.50, Love Cocoa (lovecocoa.com).
16. For the kiddy crafters
Inside the delightful Meri Meri Unicorn Stamp Advent Calendar, £22.95 (was £27), Ocado (Ocado.com), you’ll find a host of festive stamps and inks, perfect for creating cards and crafts for Christmas.
17. For the up-do queens
For kids who love to tie their hair up, or those forever losing bobbles, the luxe Milledeux Hair Accessory Advent Calendar, £90, from ChildrenSalon (childrensalon.com) is full of handmade treats.
18. For those who want to fill their own
Fill the stylish organic cotton Christmas Calendar Circus, £57, OYOY Living Design, with sweets, treats or tiny toys, to be discovered every day of Advent.
19. For the wine buffs
Anyone known to enjoy a tipple at Christmas won’t be able to resist the Virgin Wines Mixed Wine Advent Calendar 2020, £89.99, (virginwines.co.uk), featuring 24 world-class wines and a full-size bottle for Christmas Day.
20. For the party people
Ever had a wine Advent calendar and got all excited when you pluck out a mini bottle of bubbles? Well, Aldi’s Prosecco & Sparkling Wine Advent Calendar, £59.99, contains 200ml bottles of traditional prosecco, Italian Rosé and sparkling Pinot Grigio for every day of Advent. Available in store.
