The tradition of marking off the days in December via an advent calendar can be traced back to the 19th Century when chalk markings were made to count down to Christmas. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that chocolate advent calendars first made an appearance and later still when iconic confectionery brand, Cadbury, launched its own version for the UK market. Chocolate advent calendars as we know them today, were produced by Cadbury in the 1970s but didn’t actually become widely popular until 1993.
For decades, both children and adults across Britain have been opening tiny doors and consuming novelty chocolates during the run-up to Christmas but in recent years, advent calendars have adapted in numerous ways. While the chocolate versions remain incredibly popular, brands across various industries have produced their own versions of these festive treats. For children, there are now advent calenders containing toys, books and stationery. For the grown-ups, the options are seemingly endless with calendars containing artisan chocolates, savoury snacks, cooking sauces, boozy beverages and more all now available to brighten up the holidays and add to the excitement of the festive season.
With December 1st just over a week away, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite advent calendars for adults available to purchase in 2023…
The Bettys brand has been synonymous with Yorkshire food and hospitality for over a century. People flock to experience one of their decadent afternoon teas and iconic Fat Rascal treats at the York, Ilkey and Harrogate tea rooms. If you can’t make it to one of the famous tea rooms, their online shop is bursting with delicious foodie treats and branded merchandise. Order some festive goodies for yourself or perhaps, have a few surprises delivered directly to loved ones who deserve an authentic taste of Yorkshire.
This beautiful reusable advent calendar doubles up as a unique keepsake and is suitable for chocolate lovers and Bettys fans of all ages. Each pocket in the stylish wall-mountable calendar holds a novelty chocolate treat such as a snowman, wreath or Father Christmas to be enjoyed during the run-up to Christmas. Once this festive season is over, it can be packed away until next Christmas and then refilled with treats of your own choosing.
If four weeks of treats seems a little too much then a seven-day calendar of goodies may be just what you’re looking for. The SevenYays team produce calendars for all occasions and we love the idea of gifting someone a calendar full of gifts for their birthday or anniversary. You can even choose precisely which gifts you would like to include if the ready-made options aren’t exactly to your liking.
For Christmas 2023, SevenYays has launched a few excellent advent calendar options including this Seven Days of Christmas Treats one which is great value for money at £33. I’ve tried and tested this one myself and was delighted with the included sweet treats, miniature spirits and mulled wine spice kit. All the foodie gifts are a good size and the fudge is particularly moreish! As aforementioned, you can also build your own advent calendar on the SevenYays website. Prices for these start at just £21 and there’s a superb variety of little gifts to choose from.
Artisan Coffee Co has released three limited-edition coffee advent calendars for 2023 – two containing pods and one that features coffee bags. The Artisan Coffee Bag Advent Calendar includes 24 doors and behind 23 of them, you’ll find a bag containing one of Artisan Coffee Co’s six scientifically crafted coffee blends. Behind door no.24, awaits an extra special treat for Christmas Eve!
This advent calendar for adults is a great way to introduce yourself to this innovative coffee brand, founded by Michelin Chef, Ashley Palmer-Watts. It’s also really quite beautifully designed and folds out so you can display the calendar on your wall. This one is currently on sale at a significantly reduced price of £20.99 ( previously priced at £28.99) so get in quick!
The Chuckling Cheese Company Advent Calendar – £39.99 at
Can’t wait for Christmas Day’s post-dinner cheeseboard? Neither can I but this superb cheese ‘advent calendar’ from TikTok favourites, The Chuckling Cheese Company should see us through until the main event! A cheese advent calendar is a great alternative to the traditional chocolate versions, especially for those trying to limit their sugar intake. You’ll find one or two varieties on the supermarket shelves but this one from Amazon has been dominating our TikTok FYP recently.
In addition to six very different festive cheeses such as the delicious-sounding Sunday Roast Cheddar and the rather festive Pigs in Blankets Cheddar, you also get 6 mini jars of chutney and 6 packs of mini biscuits. Un-brie-lievable!
Santa Claus Greenhouse Grow Kit Advent Calendar – £21.20 at Amazon
This delightful advent calendar is perfect for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers. Instead of a daily edible treat, this unique version for the green-fingered and those wishing to embark on a journey of botanical education includes a two-piece greenhouse with 24 cultivation compartments to germinate 24 different crops, 2 soil tablets, a seed scoop and 24 days of carefully chosen seed packets.
Use this festive season to cultivate a diverse garden as you plant a varied selection of herbs, vegetables and blooms such as thyme, wild strawberries, spring onions, courgettes, cucumbers, giant sunflowers, forget-me-nots and many more.
Spice up your December with this excellent alternative to a traditional chocolate advent calendar. Behind each of the 24 doors in this fiery festive calendar, you’ll find a 20ml bottle of hot sauce. There are 12 different flavours included such as a habanero, chipotle, scotch bonnet and sriracha and they’re all entirely vegan too.
Add a dash of heat to your morning eggs and avo, liven up some of your favourite family recipes or share at the dinner table with friends during your holiday season get-togethers. The front of the calendar features a striking design and all the nutritional information for each included sauce is featured on the back. A must-try for heat lovers!
NYX Professional Makeup 12 Days of Kissmas Lip Advent Calendar – £24.99 at Amazon
The NYX Professional Makeup 12 Days of Kissmas Lip Advent Calendar is currently on part of Amazon’s Black Friday Sale, Previously priced at £49.95, this 12-day beauty advent calendar is currently available to purchase for just £24.99.
Featuring a vibrant and quirky flamingo design, this unique advent calendar will brighten up any bedroom whilst delivering 12 days of mini lip treats. Behind each of the cute flamingo doors, you’ll find one of NYX’s gorgeous lip products including butter gloss, smooth whip and Shout Loud lipsticks. Perfect for the party season!
Cath Kidston Christmas Legends Beauty Advent Calendar- £28.00 at Amazon
Another brilliant beauty advent calendar that has been slashed in price for Black Friday is this year’s Cath Kidston calendar. Being a Cath Kidston product, it’s ever so pretty with its on-brand vintage floral design.
As well as being pleasing on the eye, this advent calendar features 34 bath and body treatments for festive pampering. There are body scrubs, muscle rubs, foot creams and more, in 12 different festive fragrances. All the products are vegan too! The normal price for this one is £45 but it’s currently on sale for just £28.
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