An Advent For All – The Best of 2022’s Countdowns to Christmas

Counting down to Christmas has never been so much fun, and fun for the whole family, not just the small people! Forget cheap chocolate or naff notes, advent calendars have come on a lot in the past few years. There’s an array of inviting ideas out there, from whisky behind every door to a £10k bundle of designer jewellery, if the cost of living crisis has escaped you entirely! It just goes to show there really is something out there for everyone this festive season. Here’s our pick of the best advent calendars out there, so you’re sure to find one to suit every member of the family.    

Want to put someone on Santa’s Gouda list this year? The So Wrong It’s Nom Cheese Advent Calendar is on sale in major supermarkets after creating a fromage frenzy three years ago. Priced £8-10 depending on where you buy it, this advent outsold chocolate ones last year at Asda. Including 24 individually wrapped cheeses, the calendar has a unique ‘book style’ packaging, allowing one half to be torn off after the initial 12 days of Christmas to maximise fridge space (…for more cheese, of course.)

Diamonds simply are a girl’s best friend, so kick off the festive season in style with this one-of-a-kind advent which contains luxurious diamond gift behind each of its 25 drawers. The Beaverbrooks calendar includes elegant diamond rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches and jewellery sets. And there’s a truly special gift on Christmas Day… Amongst the stunning selection is a platinum diamond solitaire ring worth £26,000, and a £975 9ct White Gold Diamond Pendant. The diamond-a-day advent retails at, cough, £100,000! But that’s more than £23,000 less than purchasing the pieces of jewellery individually. Brands such as Gucci and TAG Heuer are also included. Available at www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/advent.

The Terre Exotique Spice Discovery Advent Calendar lets you taste your way around the world through advent. Containing 24 unique sweet and savoury spices, salt and peppers, this is perfect for those who love to try new flavours. Experiment with a new flavour each day, or spice up your dishes well into 2023. Use speculoos for festive biscuits, make a ma khaen marinade or oyster pepper for way more than just oysters! A new flavour experience every day from the finest French spice producers, priced at £28.50 from SousChef.co.uk. 

Back by popular demand is the Whisky Advent Calendar – Explorers Edition – from Drinks by the Dram, priced at £99.95. Having sampled this ourselves last year we’ve invested in another this year – the surefire only way to count down to Christmas without losing interest, or the plot. Packed full of whisky from around the globe, from old favourites, through innovative bottlings and on to exciting, lesser-known expressions, there is something delicious behind each door to keep you sipping until Christmas. 24 days, 24 drams, 24 chances to explore incredible whiskies. There are also gin, rum, and vodka calendars available.

Or if you’re after less booze but still a tipple or twelve, check out the That’s The Spirit Mixed Advent Calendar priced at £39.99 from The Bottle Club. For those who like to mix things up, this glorious advent calendar is filled with 12 must-have minis. Great as a gift on the big day itself to get the recipient through the aftermath of the festivities!

Count down to Christmas with Jurlique’s nature-inspired advent calendar priced at £85, a beautiful gift for a fab friend or even yourself! Discover a selection of 24 face, hand and body care favourites to help reveal radiant, healthy-looking skin this festive season. Items include Nutri-Define Restorative Light Cream, a Herbal Recovery Signature Serum, Rare Rose Cream and a Radiant Skin Foaming Cleanser.

Frozen II Jewellery Advent – A healthier alternative for little ones, this Disney-inspired countdown is packed with accessories from a silver colour metal bracelet and shaped character charms to the classic glitter pin badges and character rings. RRP £14.99 from Argos.

Lego Star Wars – Feel the festive Force with this one. Behind each door is a buildable Star Wars character, starship, vehicle or other building toy collectible, plus 2 exclusive Christmas-themed LEGO figures. When they’ve opened all the doors, there’s even a foldout playmat with a colourful Ahch-To Island scene that lets kids play out epic Star Wars adventures. RRP £25 on the High Street.