An Advent For All (& Not A Chocolate In Sight)

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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 tequila behind every door to a nugget of pork crackling, if that’s what floats your boat. Belle isn’t so keen on the crackling idea personally, but 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.

Christmas Around the World Advent Calendar Puzzle houses a Christmas-shaped puzzle behind each door. Each illustration depicts a different Christmas tradition from around the world, from surfing santas in Australia to London’s Oxford Street lights. Each puzzle then becomes a Christmas Tree decorations – glue and ribbon included. £28 www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

The Kindred Fires personalised candle offers a personal touch for a loved one. A little is burned each day of the countdown to Christmas. All crafted in the company’s Manchester workshop, the fact you’re supporting an independent British business through these troubled times is an extra bonus. £16 from www.kindredfires.com.

Pop a bit of magic into December with the Trends UK MAGIC advent. Featuring a trick behind every door there are instructions and accessories to keep kids, and their audience, entertained throughout the festive period. £16 from Amazon.

Molton Brown’s luxury advent calendar is filled with a whole host of new fragrances that you won’t have tried before… no matter how much of an advocate you are for a MB shower gel. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a whole plethora of bath and body products – plus, the elegant calendar itself shimmers with holographic foil to evoke a 1920s chandelier. £175.

And finally, in keeping with Belle tradition is this annual treat from Drinks By The Dram, who offer a multitude of artisan liquor advents. Our favourite this year has to be the collaboration with That Boutique-y Gin Company. Including a festive chocolate orange gin and an award winning Moonshot Gin, with botanicals that have been to the stratosphere and back! The set includes 24 different, handmade 30ml wax-sealed drams filled with award-winning gins from renowned distilleries. £49.95 from DrinksByTheDram.

Cheers!

Emily Cleary

After almost a decade chasing ambulances, and celebrities, for Fleet Street's finest, Emily has taken it down a gear and settled for a (slightly!) slower pace of life in the suburbs. With a love of cheese and fine wine, Emily is more likely to be found chasing her toddlers round Kew Gardens than sipping champagne at a showbiz launch nowadays, or grabbing an hour out of her hectic freelancer's life to chill out in a spa while hubby holds the babies. If only!

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