There are so many Advent calendars to choose from this year, from boozy calendars and hundreds of chocolate options to several beauty calendars. We offer the definitive guide to the best alternative Advent calendars for Christmas 2021.
It features By Terry Jewel Fantasy 2021 limited-edition calendar, the ultimate Gin Advent calendar from Drinks By The Dram, and a calendar with 24 chocolate butter cups inside, created by Pip & Nut – to name just a few. If you are on the lookout for something slightly different then scroll down our Christmas 2021 edit of the best alternative Advent calendars on the market.
Limited Edition Royal Salute 12 Days of Christmas Calendar
£350
Royal Salute, known for its exceptional portfolio of rare and precious whiskies, debuts its very first and highly-limited 12 Days of Christmas Calendar; a luxurious selection of refined and contemporary Scotch whiskies and exclusive gifts from Royal Salute hidden behind each window. Released in coveted numbers, it includes miniature flagons of some of the Scotch’s most established blends such as the 21 Year Old Signature Blend, as well as inspired limited-edition blends such as the 21 Year Old Polo Estancia Edition.
OTO CBD Advent Calendar, £299
This extraordinary advent calendar offers a serene and sparkling with an array of CBD treats. Reignite your radiance with 12 luxury CBD experiences to nourish your mind and body, these experiences are worth £599. It includes a special selection of award-winning skincare favourites alongside new and exclusive products that will leave you glowing, revitalised and restored.
The 12 Holiday Gifts Sensai Beauty Advent Calender, £213
This holiday season, treat yourself or your loved one to complete self-care with a covetable assortment of SENSAI’s best-loved items from skin care, make-up and body care. Inspired by Kirie, the Japanese art of paper-cutting, this limited edition is decorated with scenic motifs unique to Japanese nature and the four seasons. Indulge in this exquisitely curated collection and enjoy the holidays in SILK SKIN.
Joe & Seph’s Popcorn Advent Calendar, £30
Popcorn lovers, rejoice! The Advent calendar of your dreams from Joe & Seph’s is back after last year’s sell out. This lavish Christmas calendar is packed full of 24 mini bags of Joe & Seph’s top-selling handmade popcorn, as well as festive flavours like Mint Chocolate, Gingerbread and Brandy Butter, so you get to sample a wide range of popcorn flavours. This is the perfect gift for gourmet popcorn fans, so surprise a loved one or treat yourself in the lead-up to Christmas.
By Terry Jewel Fantasy 2021Advent Calendar, £169
By Terry has returned with its famous 24-door make-up and skincare Advent calendar, but this year is better than ever. At £169 you will get a bumper array of products worth £411, which is a massive saving of 59% if purchased separately. Build your own By Terry kit with drawers stocked with pocket-sized and full-sized By Terry treats, including some of the iconic Baume De Rose skincare and the miracle Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder that is a firm favourite with make-up artists.
Drinks By The Dram The Premium Gin Advent Calendar, £84.95
The Drinks By The Dram Premium Gin Advent calendar is back with a bang for 2021. Sample award-winning British gin, Japanese gin, Finish gin and many of the world’s most iconic gins are just some of the gin treats you can expect to find inside. Whether you’re an old school London Dry fan, or you’re looking for a boutique produced gin, you are sure to find something new and exciting – plus, what could be better than waking up every day to a 30ml wax-sealed bottle of premium gin?
Sensai 12 Holiday Gifts Sets , £213
Inspired by a quest for extraordinary beauty, Japanese brand Sensai combines advanced skincare technology with the supreme power of its precious signature ingredient, Koishimaru Silk. A fibre once reserved only for the imperial family. This beauty advent contains 12 of Sensai’s most coveted products including Absolute Silk Micro Mousse Treatment, Absolute Silk Fluid and the best selling Lash Volumiser.
Ladurée Advent Calendar, £45
For Christmas 2021 the famous French pâtisserie has released a very Instagrammable calendar to get excited about. Behind each window you will discover an assortment of bonbons, nougats, candies, chocolates and caramels, beautifully presented in classic Ladurée packaging, with illustrations featuring a scene from the iconic tearoom during the festive period.
Bonne Maman 2021 Advent Calendar, £23.99 + £9 postage & packaging
Who doesn’t love a good pot of Bonne Maman jam with toast in the morning? Thankfully the brand has fulfilled all our wishes with this exquisite jam and marmalade-filled Advent calendar. You’ll find a wide range of mini glass jars of unique flavour combinations, including our favourites, Apricot with Bergamot and Cherry with Spices Extra Jam. This is a must for the breakfast and afternoon tea enthusiast.
L’Occitane Classic Advent Calendar, £55
We can’t get enough of L’Occitane’s range of skin and bodycare products and at this very appealing price point, L’Occitane gets our vote. Expect a calendar packed with 24 hero products inside, including Cherry Blossom Hand Cream, Almond Shampoo and our favourite the brand’s renowned sleep in a jar Overnight Reset Serum.
Thornton & France Beer Advent Calendar, £75
If you’re beer obsessed, then this calendar is definitely one for you – we’ve tested it out already and give it the thumbs up. Open the doors to discover a variety of craft beer inside (24 in total) such as Lagers, Pilsners and IPAs, all with an emphasis on UK independent brewers. The perfect way to celebrate the run up to Christmas and this beats your standard mini chocolate calendar any day of the week.
Glossybox Surprise Me Advent Calendar, £105
The Glossybox Advent calendar launched in 2018 and proved an immediate hit with beauty addicts for its fantastic daily treats. Products, worth over £465 in total, include a huge Huda Beauty eye palette complete with 18 shades, Rodial illuminating Glow Drops and Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel– a must-have for all Glossybox fans.
Pip & Nut Nut Butter Cup Advent Calendar, £20
Enjoy the countdown to Christmas the Pip & Nut way with the brand’s very first Advent Calendar. You’ll find 24 seriously moreish vegan nut butter treats such as dark chocolate vegan nut butter cups, in both peanut butter and almond butter flavours – using only natural ingredients, ethical chocolate and always palm oil-free. Plus, each Advent calendar sold, Pip & Nut will donate three jars of peanut butter to their local Hackney Foodbank.
Paul & Joe 2021 Makeup Collection Calendar, £98
This Advent, shun the usual chocolate calendar in favour of this beautifully illustrated Paul & Joe beauty calendar. Packed with 24 of Paul & Joe’s make-up saviours, such as the Lip Treatment Balm and Foundation Primers and cute accessories. You get £186 worth of Paul & Joe goodies for just £98 – what’s not to love?
Liz Earle 12 Days of Liz Earle Beauty Advent Calendar, £60
Indulge with the new Advent calendar from Liz Earle, featuring a range of the brand’s famous skincare, including a Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Gentle Face Exfoliator and ultra-nourishing Superskin moisturiser. For the full Liz Earle facial experience at home, you’ll also find Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Pure Cotton Cloths and Superskin Superlip Balm. – the perfect way to unwind ahead of the seasonal holiday.
Meri Meri Winter Ballerina Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar Suitcase, £35
If you want to stay clear of sugar, children’s party brand Meri Meri has created a calendar in which each tray opens to reveal a Christmas surprise of a gold charm bracelets and charms to place on it. Together the daily gifts create a beautiful gold charm bracelet, decorated with butterflies, flowers, hearts and stars, to name just a few. What’s more, once you have finished with the calendar you can use the suitcase as storage for toys.
Jo Loves Advent Calendar, £325
Getting up early on those cold December mornings just got that little bit easier thanks to this mega Jo Loves scented beauty Advent calendar. Expect to find 24 deluxe travel-sized products including hand and body treats, festive candle, fragrances and, on Christmas Day, a festive full-sized beauty gift.
