Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum’s Feasting Advent Calendar, £200
Kick off Christmas in the most delicious way possible with a Fortnum’s feast. Behind the doors you’ll find classic teas, biscuits, chocolates, confectionery, preserves, condiments and festive tipples. A gourmand’s dream. Buy it here.
Swarovski
Annual Edition 2023 Advent Calendar, £630
Who doesn’t fancy kicking off December with a little dazzle? Swarovski’s annual calendar is filled with 25 glittering designs, all exclusive and each designed to adorn the tree and festive tables alike. Buy it here.
Laithwaites
Mixed Wine Advent Calendar, £69.99
Featuring classic customer favourites and new wine discoveries from around the world – in both red and white. This year. there's a full bottle of Prosecco to share on Christmas Eve. But hurry, these Wine Advent Calendars have been flying out of the doors – get yours while you can! Buy it here.
Hotel Chocolat
The Velvetiser Drinking Chocolate Advent Calendar, £45
You'll need to be the proud owner of a legendary Velvetiser for this to appeal, Hotel Chocolat's machine that makes the dreamiest and smoothest of hot chocolates. This fun advent calendar has 24 sachets from the company's library of delicious recipes, from Mince Pie to Salted Caramel. This is definitely a gourmet countdown to Christmas. Buy it here.
John Lewis
The Make Arcade Craftvent Advent Calendar Sewing Kit 2023, £36
Do you toy with the idea of dabbling in some sewing? Dip a toe in the water with this charming calendar; behind each door, you’ll find 12 individually packed felt kits, each one containing everything you need to make a beautiful Christmas decoration for your tree. Buy it here.
Rituals
Classic Advent Calendar, £87.90
Rituals’ raison d’etre is help its customers to unwind. And, much as we adore Christmas, it does have a habit of throwing up moments that necessitate said unwinding. The calendar features an expertly curated collection of 24 luxurious treats to delight and inspire you throughout the holiday season.Buy it here.
Bird & Blend
Tea Advent Calendar, £38
Hunkering down with a good cup of tea is highly necessary throughout December. This Bird & Blend calendar facilitates that impulse, while encouraging you to try new teas. There are two bags behind each door, featuring flavours such as Snowball and Hazelnut Rocher. Buy it here.
Grind
Coffee Advent Calendar, £28
Count down to Christmas with twenty-five days of home compostable pods, each a unique blend of Grind's speciality-grade coffee. Plus, a bonus pod for the 25th, featuring two of its limited edition Christmas Blend pods. Buy it here.
Selfridges
Festive Mini Mince Pie Advent Calendar, £39.99
A daily mince pie in the countdown to Christmas? Selfridges has you sorted with this festive calendar containing 24 crumbly mince pies. Extraordinary flavours include classic, citrus, almond and chocolate and to celebrate the big day, there’s a mini Meg Rivers Christmas cake waiting behind number 25. Let the countdown begin. Buy it here.
Waitrose Cellar
Fever Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar, £65
Behind these festive doors you'll find 6 x 150ml Fever-Tree mixers, especially chosen to match with one of the 12 x 5cl brilliantly crafted gins, including Sipsmith, Silent Pool, Hendrick's and Tanqueray. Buy it here.
Pukka Herbs
Tea Advent Calendar, £12.99
If you're not into tea or coffee, this herbal tea calendar will likely be your thing, plus it's a great introduction to all the different flavoured tisanes that Pukka does. There are 24 unique blends to try, from citrussy, floral, sweet and spicy winter teas. What's not to love about this budget friendly way to celebrate advent? Buy it here.
Martha Brook London
24 Days Of Stationery Advent Calendar, £99.00
Martha Brook can be relied upon for all things stationery. Her advent calendar is a dream, filled with a selection of beautiful notepads, pen and stationery ephemera. The lid of the box can be personalised, along with three of the gifts, making it even more special. This is a limited edition product so expect it to sell out fast. Buy it here.
LEGO
LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar, £29.99
What if your Potter head also happens to be a LEGO nut? The answer is simple: the LEGO Harry Potter calendar. Ideal, plus it has the virtue of keeping them occupied for hours. Buy it here.
Schleich
Horse Club Calendar, now £19.99
We love a Schleich animal figure. They are, after all, the kinds of toys that tend to be handed down rather than thrown away. This pony-focused calendar is ideal for horse-mad kids. Plus, it’s better for them than chocolate. Buy it here.
Lily's Kitchen
Advent Calendar For Dogs, £14
Even your four-legged friend can enjoy a daily treat in the countdown to Christmas with this selection of three delicious meaty goodies made with top quality ingredients. Buy it here.
Brewdog
Craft Beer Advent Calendar, £49.95
What better way of trying some new beers than with an Advent calendar devoted to showcasing craft ales? We like Brewdog’s example. As they say: ‘This year’s box features 24 different beers which range from vibrant IPAs and Pale Ales to decadent stouts and some amazing collaborations, plus a glass. Be quick; it sells out fast. Buy it here.
The Naked Marshmallow
Gourmet Marshmallow Advent, £20 without toaster
For those who have a sweet tooth but want to spice up their Advent with something other than chocolate, look no further than the Naked Marshmallow calendar. No one, but no one, would blame you if you cheated and ate the whole thing in a sitting. Buy it here.
Missoma
Advent Calendar, Silver, £365
Who wouldn’t be thrilled to open a little drawer each day in the run up to Christmas to be rewarded with a heavenly little trinket, courtesy of Missoma? Any giver of this beauty can be assured of many, many brownie points. Buy it here.
Penhaligon’s
The Toy Chest, £395
Step into Christmas in the most fragrant of ways with this gorgeous calendar, which is full of Penhaligon’s classic scents. Buy it here.
Biscuiteers
12 Days of Christmas, £48
Not quite a calendar, but certainly an ode to the countdown to Christmas, Biscuiteers – as usual – presents the most magical way to bite into the season. Buy it here.
Rowen & Wren
Claude Advent Candle Holder, £42
Advent calendars are becoming more and more lavish, year on year. If, however, what you really crave at this time of year is simplicity and a moment to reflect, why not light a candle for each day of Advent, courtesy of Rowen & Wren’s charming design? Buy it here.
Dibor
Personalised Christmas Advent Decanter, £42
For those who like to round off each day of Advent with a warming nipperkin of something stronger than tea, this decanter is the perfect way of ensuring that you exactly that. Remember to leave a droplet for Santa, when the time comes. Buy it here.
By Nancy Alsop
November 2023
