Unusual advent calendars have exploded in popularity in recent years, as shoppers start to think beyond the traditional for gifting and the festive season in general. Chocolate advent calendars are great for kids - and more than a few adults - but as more and more of us embrace the idea of advent calendars as a grown-up treat, novelty advent calendars featuring everything from gin to chilli have flooded the market.
An advent calendar is a brilliant way of gearing yourself up for the festive season, but it also makes a thoughtful gift for a friend or relative - especially if you can find a novelty advent calendar that caters to one of their passions.
Of course there's also the option to buy later in December as many of the luxury advent calendars go on offer for a reduced price. Enjoy all of the goodies for a fraction of the price!
Read on for our round-up of the best alternative advent calendars on the market this year...
Best unusual advent calendars for 2022
Gin Advent Calendar
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar (RRP £72.95)
- Buy now from Amazon (£66.00)
Gin isn't just for Christmas Day! If you're a fan of a tasty tipple, this 24-day gin advent calendar from The Boutique-y Gin Company is for you. Each day in the run-up to Christmas, you will find a 30ml wax-sealed dram of inventive and deliciously flavoured gin, from Christmassy treats to mince pie and Christmas pudding flavour, to the more commonly found orange and rhubarb gins, yum! Get your glasses ready for a month of new and exciting festive cocktails.
The sealed drams are so cute, you could even add them to a homemade Christmas hamper if you have any left over!
Buy That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar from Master of Malt
Beauty advent calendar
Cohorted Beauty Advent Calendar
- Buy now from Cohorted (£49.99)
Beauty and skincare lovers will adore this luxury advent calendar from Cohorted. Worth a whopping £457, this advent calendar features twelve cult classic products from the likes of Laura Mercier, Sunday Riley and This Works. Each product has been selected specifically to celebrate and enhance your festive season, from a bold red lipstick to a luxurious and replenishing night cream. This advent calendar would make a lovely treat for yourself or for a loved one.
Buy Cohorted Beauty Advent Calendar from Cohorted
Rum Advent Calendar
24 Days of Rum Advent Calendar (RRP £79.99)
- Buy now from Amazon (£65.00)
Gin advent calendars have definitely gone mainstream, but if your favourite spirit runs more to the dark and stormy, you'll love this 24-piece rum tasting advent calendar, available on Amazon. Each door reveals a miniature bottle from a different country, including a few you might not associate with rum production. The calendar also comes with two tasting glasses and a set of tasting notes to help you find your new favourite.
Treat your friends to a cosy night in and a few experimental rum cocktails - perfect for a winter's night when you can't face heading outdoors into the chill.
Personalised Advent Calendar
Lights4fun Townhouse Advent Calendar (RRP £39.99)
- Buy now from Amazon (£19.99)
Fancy filling an advent calendar with your own personal treats? This gorgeous wooden advent calendar from Lights4fun has three drawers to hold your festive goodies. LED lights inside light up the windows for a truly cosy display and wooden number tag hooks help you to countdown to Christmas. This is an advent calendar you can get out every year and its beautiful design makes it a decoration item in its own right.
Buy Townhouse Advent Calendar from Lights4fun
Tea Advent Calendar
Bird & Blend Tea Co. Christmas Advent Calendar
- Buy now from Bird & Blend (£38.00)
If you can't do without a cuppa, it's definitely worth giving this tea advent calendar from British brand Bird & Blend Co. a go. The teas include yummy Christmas flavours like Snowball and Hazelnut Rocher to get you in the festive spirit! The calendar comes with two tea bags per day, making it perfect for sharing, and if you don't fancy a caffeine kick you can choose the caffeine-free version. Both the calendar and tea bags are plastic-free and vegan which makes it a great eco-choice too!
Buy Bird & Blend Co Christmas Advent Calendar from Bird & Blend Co.
Before you go... looking for Christmas gift ideas? Check out our ideas for homeware gifts, presents for cocktail-lovers and personalised food gifts, and if this inspires you to put up your tree, we've reveiwed the best artificial Christmas trees.
