Advent calendars are a big deal these days. Long gone are those simple paper advent calendars, and the traditional chocolate advent calendar is nearly a distant memory too. Everybody wants a unique advent calendar for 2022 - we all enjoy opening a little treat every morning in the lead up to Christmas and it's the perfect way to lead into the festive season. However, there is so much choice now that it can be overwhelming so here are some of the best UK advent calendar ideas 2022.
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Fidget advent calendars
Fidget toys were big news a couple of years ago and they are still popular with children. This fidget advent calendar from The Works has 24 super satisfying fidget toys just waiting to be discovered! Open a door every day in the run-up to Christmas day to discover a new fidget surprise!
Another great way to keep children entertained in the run up to Christmas is this sensory advent calendar available now to pre-order from Smyths. This contains 24 sensory surprise toys providing sensory light, sound and touch fun.
Advent calendars for teenagers
Your teenager may try to say that they don't believe any more but I bet they would still absolutely love an advent calendar this year.
This popcorn advent calendar is the perfect advent calendar for teenagers who love to loaf around watching TV - they can have a different pack of handmade gourmet popcorn every day!
If your teen likes stationary, try this Paperchase stationary advent calendar. Each day there will be a new stationary item, from pens, highlighters, washi tape, notebooks etc. I'd actually quite like this one myself!
If your teenager likes make up this advent calendar from Revolution at Superdrug will go down a storm. Lipsticks, lip glosses and even a palette are hidden inside and will make them very happy each morning (or afternoon!) they wake up. The best thing about this is that they will have a fully stocked make up collection by the end of December.
A great advent calendar for teen boys (or any teen in fact) is the Pringles advent calendar. My teen would love to chomp on a packet of Pringles a day anyway! We saw this too late last year so I'll be picking one up early this year. Also if the teen boy in your life is a fan of Lynx the Lynx advent calendar has mini bodywash bottles, anti-perspirant and body spray.
Food and drink advent calendars
Above of course we featured the Popcorn advent calendar and Pringles advent calendar but there are so many unique food advent calendars around for 2022. They make great alternative advent calendars, especially if it is a food or drink that is well loved by the recipient!
Bonne Mamam have produced a jam advent calendar - a different jam for every day in December! I think that might be at the top of the list of cool advent calendars for me!
For the tea lovers out there, this beautiful tea advent calendar from Adagio Teas UK will really hit the spot. It comes in both loose leaf and tea bag versions and what a great idea to have a new tea to try every morning.
Cheese fans will adore this Cheddar advent calendar, which also includes biscuits too! You'll be amazed by the selection of other cheese advent calendars out this year too. Chilli lovers will find trying a new chilli sauce every day brilliant fun with this chilli advent calendar.
Advent calendars with toys
Aimed at younger children, advent calendars with toys are always a hit in our house. My 8 year old is delighted with his Roblox blind multipack advent calendar this year. With 24 doors, the countdown to Christmas will be so much fun - behind every door is a new holiday themed Roblox character or accessory along with two redeemable codes to unlock exclusive virtual items on Roblox. He thinks it is one of the most cool advent calendars he has seen!
For very young children the best kids advent calendar I have seen is this bath toys advent calendar. Babies and toddlers will love finding a new bath toy behind each door!
Car and construction lovers like my 4 year old will be delighted at this toy car advent calendar which will give them a new car or accessory every day.
Healthy advent calendars
Healthy and advent calendars don't often go in the same sentence but it is possible to get some alternative advent calendars that could be considered healthy.
This seed advent calendar is every amateur gardener's friend, and gardening is considered a very healthy hobby. This contains a different seed to sow every month of the year, and I'm sure it would be really nice to look back on everything you have grown at the end of 2023.
For wellness lovers, this crystal advent calendar is an amazing treat. It holds 25 hand selected crystals and other Christmas/Yule themed self care items, such as essential oils, wax melts etc. all hand wrapped.
Fitness fans will appreciate this fun advent calendar alternative - 24 days of exercise cards in a tin. Each day there is a different set of exercises, which can be repeated as a set of 3 with additional weights if you want an extra challenge. Perfect for all abilities, we have the option for a beginner or intermediate set of cards! If this was matched by a Peleton under the Christmas tree, my Christmas would be made!
Craft advent calendars
If you know someone who loves their arts and crafts then an arty or crafty advent calendar will be right up their street, and at the end they will have something to show for it too.
This art supply advent calendar from Arteza sells out early every year and it's easy to see why. You can get a 12 or 24 day version and you will receive a range of quality art supplies of various types.
I love the cleverly named Inkvent Calendar from Diamine Ink. Inside you will find 24 different coloured bottles of ink - perfect for calligraphy fans.
If you have a sewing addict in the family buy them this Hemline Advent calendar full of sewing goodies from tape measures to bobbins.
Mens advent calendars
I generally find shopping for men much more difficult but not so with advent calendars. I'm sure that many men will enjoy the challenge of the chilli advent calendar and I know a lot of men love a coffee advent calendar too. In fact I have bought a Nespresso advent calendar for my hubby.
If your man likes old school scent, the Lynx advent calendar might be for him, or if he prefers a bit of luxury the Clarins Men advent calendar has some real treats inside.
If the man in your life sports a beard or would like to grow one the Brighton Beard Co advent calendar makes a really unique gift. It contains various oils, waxes, moisturisers, shampoos and conditioners so there is everything in there that he needs to keep his beard looking well groomed.
Beauty advent calendars
Beauty advent calendars are big news and beauty addicts all over the UK clamour for the best ones, with the best beauty advent calendars often selling out within hours of their launch. Some of my favourites are...
Glossybox advent calendar - retailing at ยฃ99 or ยฃ85 for subscribers this advent calendar contains ยฃ443 worth of products from popular brands, with 14 of them being full-size products.
Nivea advent calendar - this makes a great practical choice and will ensure that that recipient is well stocked up for 2023 with lotions, creams, face masks and lip balm.
Marks and Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar - this is on sale for ยฃ300 but you can pick it up for ยฃ40 when you spend ยฃ30 on clothing, home or beauty - which is easy to do at Christmas! It contains 25 hand-picked, cult beauty products, including 7 full-size items, across bath and body, skincare, fragrance and make-up.
Vegan advent calendars
Many of the calendars featured here are suitable for vegans, but if it is vegan chocolate you are looking for, I think that these three are the best...
Monty Bojangles advent calendar which contains 3 different types of vegan truffles behind each little door, each of which taste luxurious.
NoMo Advent calendar is the cheapest featured here and great value at only ยฃ5 but the chocolate is delicious and it is sometimes nice to find a milk chocolate vegan advent calendar.
Hotel Chocolat has a great selection of vegan products now and their 45% Nutmilk range is delicious. Try it out by treating yourself to a little every morning with this Nutmilk advent calendar.
Gin advent calendars
Alcohol advent calendars have been hugely popular during the holiday season in recent years, and they keep getting better and better. Everyone's favourite seems to be the gin advent calendar, so here are some great options.
This Fever Tree advent calendar available from John Lewis comes with 12 perfectly paired gin and tonics so you are all set for a countdown to Christmas!
If you already have your mixers ready, try this gin advent calendar from the Craft Gin club - with 25 miniature craft gins there are lots of new flavours for you to discover.
A really cute advent calendar idea is this his and hers gin advent calendar from The Bottle Club - picture coming home and sitting down to compare gins in the evenings and having a chat in front of the fire and munching on a mince pie.
Luxury Advent Calendars
If you are going to splurge on an advent calendar, do it properly! These advent calendars are very much on the pricey side but if you can afford it why not treat yourself.
Cartwright & Butler Advent calendar - a delicious selection of finest Cartwright & Butler treats each day. This beautifully illustrated, gigantic Advent Calendar with 24 sliding drawers includes an array of Cartwright & Butlerโs best-selling goodies including; sweet and savoury biscuits, preserves, hot drinks, cakes and confectionery. A perfect gift for a loved one or even just a festive treat for yourself and you'll be able to use some of the goodies on the big day!
The Swarovski Advent calendar retails for ยฃ630 and contains a range of crystal creations, some exclusive to the calendar including ornaments, figurines, and magnets. A must for any dedicated collector.
If money was no object, I would be opening the Liberty 12 Days of Jewellery Advent Calendar this festive season - talk about one of the best advent calendar ideas! Containing 12 stunning pieces of jewellery the Liberty advent calendar contains over ยฃ1400 worth of jewellery for the bargain price of ยฃ845. A real luxury advent calendar, this is on my wish list if I win the lottery - it definitely is the golden ticket to my heart! I'd enjoy styling some of these stunning jewellery pieces into a new year outfit too!
A Jo Malone advent calendar is one of the best advent calendars for fragrance lovers and a real treat at ยฃ350 and contains mood-boosting home fragrances, popular colognes in miniature, seasonal adornments and a couple of full-sized surprises. The advent calendar of dreams for many of us!
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Brighton Beard Co Advent Calendar
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Marks and Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar
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