Unique Advent Calendar Ideas for All Ages: Creative and Personalised Ideas for Counting Down to Christmas

Christmas is a magical time of year, and there’s something uniquely exciting about counting down to the big day. 

While traditional chocolate Advent calendars are a staple in many households, why not break away from the norm this year with something a little more creative?

Whether you’re crafting something bespoke or looking for luxury options to treat yourself or a loved one, here are some fantastic Advent calendar ideas that suit all ages and tastes.

1. DIY Advent Calendars: Craft Your Countdown

There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own Advent calendar. Not only does it add a personal touch, but it’s also a great way to tailor the countdown to suit the recipient’s preferences. Here are a few DIY ideas:

Envelope Calendar: Decorate 24 envelopes and fill them with little notes, jokes, or even mini challenges to complete each day. You can add small gifts like vouchers, handmade ornaments, or sweets for an extra treat.

Mason Jar Magic: Fill 24 small mason jars with anything from bath salts and candles to homemade fudge and festive snacks. Decorate with ribbons and tags, and line them up for a rustic yet charming display.

Activity Calendar: Instead of gifts, fill each day with a festive activity to do together as a family. This could include decorating biscuits, having a Christmas movie night, or making homemade decorations.

2. Personalised Advent Calendars for a Truly Unique Experience

If you’re looking for a calendar that’s one-of-a-kind, consider personalising it with names, special messages, or bespoke treats:

Custom Photo Calendar: Surprise someone special with a calendar filled with cherished memories. Include a different photo for each day along with little notes or captions to bring a smile to their face.

Name-Personalised Fillable Calendar: Opt for wooden or fabric calendars that can be personalised with a name or a festive greeting. Fill the compartments with small, meaningful gifts tailored to the recipient’s interests.

Pet Advent Calendar: Don’t forget about your furry friends! Fill a calendar with treats or small toys for your pets, ensuring they’re included in the festive fun.

3. Luxury Advent Calendars for the Ultimate Indulgence

If you want to truly spoil yourself or someone special, there’s no shortage of luxurious Advent calendars available. These are perfect for adults who appreciate the finer things in life:

Beauty Advent Calendars: Packed with high-end skincare, cosmetics, and fragrances, beauty Advent calendars from brands like Liberty, Jo Malone, or The White Company are sure to delight anyone who loves a touch of glamour.

Gourmet Food & Drink Calendars: For the foodies, there are calendars filled with artisanal cheeses, gourmet chocolates, fine wines, or even craft gins. The English Whisky Festival’s calendar is perfect for whisky enthusiasts, offering a different dram for each day.

Jewellery Advent Calendars: For those who adore sparkle, there are calendars filled with delicate jewellery pieces, from charm bracelets to earrings, making every day leading up to Christmas feel like a special occasion.

4. Advent Calendars for Kids: Keep the Magic Alive

Children adore the anticipation of Christmas, and there are plenty of Advent calendar options that go beyond the typical chocolate variety:

LEGO Advent Calendar: Popular among kids, these calendars provide a new LEGO piece each day, allowing children to build a festive scene by Christmas Day.

Book Advent Calendar: Instead of chocolates, why not treat your little ones to a new book each day? You can wrap up 24 storybooks or festive-themed books, encouraging a love of reading while celebrating the holiday season.

Craft Advent Calendar: Keep little hands busy with craft kits that allow them to create something new every day. From making decorations to festive colouring books, these calendars are great for unleashing creativity.

5. Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars: A Sustainable Twist

For those who are eco-conscious, there are plenty of ways to count down to Christmas without compromising your values:

Reusable Wooden Calendars: Invest in a beautifully crafted wooden Advent calendar with small drawers or compartments that you can refill year after year. Not only are these sustainable, but they also become a cherished family heirloom.

Zero-Waste Fillers: Fill your Advent calendar with sustainable gifts like beeswax wraps, reusable straws, or homemade treats wrapped in fabric instead of plastic. You can also include experiences like a voucher for a day out or a cosy afternoon of baking together.

Plant-Based Calendars: For a green thumb, consider a seed or plant-themed calendar. Each day, they’ll receive a new type of seed to grow, bringing a touch of nature indoors even during the colder months.

6. Advent Calendars for Couples: Celebrate the Season Together

Sharing the countdown to Christmas with someone you love can be incredibly special. Here are some ideas to make it even more romantic:

Date Night Advent Calendar: Fill a calendar with different date ideas for each day, such as watching a Christmas film, baking cookies together, or enjoying a cosy evening with mulled wine.

Love Notes & Acts of Kindness: Each day, write a sweet note or commit to a small act of kindness for your partner. It’s a thoughtful way to celebrate the holiday season while strengthening your bond.

Luxury Candle Calendar: For couples who love to unwind, a candle Advent calendar filled with scented candles can set a cosy mood every evening in the run-up to Christmas.

Final Thoughts: Making Christmas Extra Special

Advent calendars are more than just a countdown—they’re a way to bring a little joy, magic, and thoughtfulness into each day leading up to Christmas. Whether you go the DIY route, opt for something personalised, or treat yourself to a luxurious calendar, there’s no end to the creative possibilities.

So, why stick to the ordinary when you can transform this festive tradition into something truly memorable? Whether it's for kids, adults, or even pets, there’s an Advent calendar out there to suit every taste. Happy counting down! 

Something different with meaning this Christmas. The Big Issue North's 2025 calendar is out now

Big Issue North supports around 350 vendors who sell street magazine The Big Issue in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber. 

Vendors face numerous barriers to mainstream employment, including homelessness, a lack of formal qualifications or work experience, no ID or bank account, language barriers, health challenges and care responsibilities.

All proceeds raised from calendar sales either go directly to vendors or support the Big Issue North Trust (registered charity 1056041) to get more people working, not begging, and to provide support including access to accommodation, education and skills training, ID and card readers, home furnishing packages and much more.

This year, the calendar explores the north through vendors’ eyes.

The north is on the up. While the average monthly rent in the UK is £954, it is almost double in Leeds, at £1,733. Manchester has been a UNESCO City of Literature since 2017, Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture in 2008 and Leeds received the same honour in 2023. But behind the glass skyscrapers of Manctopia and the renovated mills and street art of Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter lie a different reality.

Statistics published in October 2024 found that one in every 200 people in the UK are currently experiencing homelessness. But in Manchester, this rises to one in 74, and the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber are among the five lowest income areas in the UK.

For this calendar, four vendors – Andrew in Sheffield, Colin in Manchester, Vasile in Leeds and Christopher in Liverpool – took two up-and-coming photographers, Cory Schiltz and Abi Black, on tours of their cities as they see them. Through their eyes, the glamour of ultra-modern arts spaces and historic landmarks brush up against the neglected high-rises and unsheltered underpasses that many in these elsewhere prosperous cities are forced to call home.

The north was the beating heart of England’s Industrial Revolution, and today, Big Issue vendors continue a centuries-long tradition of hard work. But with our streets never having returned to the levels of activity that they saw pre-COVID, and with fewer and fewer people carrying cash and vendors currently experiencing homelessness unable to take card payments, many struggle to make ends meet in cities where the cost of living is surging.

“The city feels much emptier than it used to,” says Chris, who sells The Big Issue in Manchester. “I miss my regulars who used to stop by on their way to work or during lunch breaks. Now it’s dead slow, and people just walk by.”

Also featured in the calendar are Mabel and Dottie, the beloved canine friends of Andrew and his partner Mel, who also sells The Big Issue in Sheffield. “They’re both so funny and sweet,” says Andrew. “If we’re upset, Dottie will go up and put her head on your shoulder. She can just sense when something’s wrong. They brighten your day.”

Big Issue North’s 2025 calendar is on sale now at £10 from vendors and at shop.bigissuenorth.com

Why You Should Use VistaPrint for All Your Christmas Printing Needs

Before you ask, the answer is This is not a sponsored piece. 

Christmas is a time for connection, and there’s nothing like a personalised touch to make loved ones feel appreciated. 

From custom Christmas cards to unique photographic gifts, VistaPrint has you covered with a broad range of high-quality, customisable options. Here’s why VistaPrint is the go-to choice for all your Christmas printing needs this season.

1. Wide Range of Customisation Options

One of VistaPrint's greatest strengths is the level of customisation it offers. For Christmas cards, you can choose from a variety of designs, or start from scratch and make your card truly unique. Add your own photos, tweak the text, and pick colours and layouts that suit your style. The same applies to their bespoke calendars and photographic gifts; you have complete control over the details, ensuring your gifts feel personal and thoughtful.

2. Excellent Quality Across All Products

VistaPrint has built a reputation for producing top-notch printed materials, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re printing Christmas cards, creating a photo calendar, or ordering other personalised gifts, you’ll receive products that look and feel premium. Their paper and photo finishes are durable and vibrant, ensuring that your designs come to life with stunning clarity and depth, making a memorable impact on friends and family.

3. Ease of Use and Intuitive Design Process

VistaPrint’s website is designed to make customisation simple, even for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. With easy drag-and-drop functionality and a variety of templates, you can effortlessly design your products, and you’ll see a preview of your item before confirming your order. This intuitive design process helps ensure that you’re delighted with the final product – without any surprises when it arrives.

4. Quick Turnaround and Reliable Delivery

As the holiday season approaches, timing becomes essential. VistaPrint is known for its efficient production and delivery timelines, so even if you’re designing gifts closer to Christmas, there’s a good chance you’ll receive them on time. VistaPrint offers several shipping options to cater to different schedules, making last-minute gifting less stressful.

5. Affordable Pricing with Frequent Discounts

Christmas can be a costly time of year, so it’s good to know that VistaPrint offers quality products at reasonable prices. They frequently run discounts and promotional offers, so you can often find good deals, especially if you order early. When you consider the premium quality and personal touch that VistaPrint products add to the holiday season, the value is hard to beat.

6. Eco-Friendly Options for a Sustainable Christmas

Many of us are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of our purchases, and VistaPrint is helping address these concerns by offering eco-friendly options. Choose sustainable paper options or print materials that are more environmentally friendly without compromising on quality. It’s a small but meaningful way to reduce the environmental impact of your Christmas preparations.

VistaPrint for a Memorable, Personalised Christmas

With VistaPrint, you can take care of all your Christmas printing needs in one go, without sacrificing quality or convenience. From beautifully crafted cards to thoughtful photographic gifts and bespoke calendars, they offer everything you need to bring a personal touch to the festive season.

https://www.vistaprint.co.uk

Unique Advent Calendar Ideas for All Ages

Creative and personalised ideas for counting down to Christmas, from DIY calendars to luxury options

As Christmas approaches, the excitement of the festive season often begins with the cherished tradition of opening a daily window on an Advent calendar.

While traditional chocolate calendars are lovely, there are now so many creative and personalised options that can make counting down to Christmas even more special, no matter your age. 

Here are some unique Advent calendar ideas, from DIY projects to luxury options, that will bring joy and anticipation throughout December.

1. DIY Craft Advent Calendar

If you're feeling crafty, creating a DIY Advent calendar is a rewarding way to make something truly unique. You can use small gift boxes, envelopes, or even paper bags, each filled with little surprises such as sweets, notes, or handmade trinkets. You could also assign a theme to your calendar, like crafting supplies, miniature puzzles, or daily tasks that spread kindness. The best part? You can tailor it to suit the recipient's personality and hobbies, ensuring a personalised experience. The Range, The Works, Rymans, Hobbycraft etc sell fill your own advent calendar boxes/kits so are worth looking out for.

Tip: Include handwritten notes with festive jokes or heartfelt messages to add a personal touch.

2. Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar

For adults who enjoy a bit of pampering, luxury beauty Advent calendars are a fantastic way to indulge in the holiday season. Many well-known beauty brands offer calendars filled with high-end skincare, make-up, and self-care products. These can be a perfect pre-Christmas treat, offering a little moment of self-care each day leading up to Christmas.

Popular choices include calendars from brands like Liberty, Charlotte Tilbury, or Jo Malone, each offering a mix of mini and full-sized products in beautifully designed packaging.

3. Reusable Fabric or Wooden Calendars

For an eco-friendly and sustainable option, consider investing in a reusable fabric or wooden Advent calendar. These usually feature pockets, drawers, or small compartments that can be filled year after year with your chosen treats or surprises. Not only are they kinder to the environment, but they also become a cherished family tradition, with the excitement of deciding what to place inside each compartment every December.

Customise it with small toys, festive-themed stationery, or even experiences like vouchers for a day out or a family movie night.

4. Book Advent Calendar

Perfect for children or book lovers, a book-themed Advent calendar provides a magical daily treat in the form of stories. Wrap 24 books individually and let the recipient unwrap one each day in December. For little ones, you can include festive picture books or short stories, while adults might appreciate themed collections, such as crime thrillers or romantic novellas. This encourages cosy moments of reading during the holiday season and offers a much longer-lasting gift than chocolates.

Pro Tip: Check out local bookshops or charity shops for gently used or discounted books to keep costs down.

5. Alcohol Advent Calendars

For adults, there’s a growing trend for Advent calendars filled with mini bottles of alcohol, whether it’s craft beers, wine, gin, or whisky. These calendars are a sophisticated way to enjoy a festive tipple each day and can introduce you to new brands or flavours. Many independent breweries and distilleries offer their own versions, often including rare or limited-edition drinks.

Fun idea: Share this with friends and family by having a virtual toast each evening with the day's selection.

6. Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

This idea brings the focus of Christmas back to giving rather than receiving. Each day, the calendar reveals a small act of kindness for the recipient to complete. This could be anything from donating to a food bank, writing a letter to a friend, or simply leaving a kind note for a stranger. It's a thoughtful way to encourage generosity and create meaningful experiences throughout the month of December.

Tip: Design your own calendar with numbered envelopes or cards, each featuring a different kind gesture.

7. Personalised Photo Advent Calendar

A personalised photo Advent calendar is a lovely way to relive happy memories each day. You can create this with an online photo service or print your own photos at home and place them in a DIY calendar. Behind each window could be a photo of a special moment shared with loved ones, or even a nostalgic look back on memories from the year gone by. It's a heartwarming way to celebrate the season while cherishing your favourite memories.

Make it extra special by adding a festive note or short memory to go along with each photo.

8. Toy-Themed Advent Calendars for Kids

Children's Advent calendars have come a long way from simple chocolates! These days, toy brands offer Advent calendars filled with mini figures, building blocks, or even playsets. LEGO, Playmobil, and Funko POP all offer exciting themed calendars that will have kids eagerly looking forward to each day's new addition to their collection. Not only are they fun, but they also provide hours of entertainment during the holidays.

9. Foodie Advent Calendar

If you're shopping for a foodie, a calendar filled with gourmet treats like artisan chocolates, speciality teas, or flavoured oils will be a hit. Some companies even offer cheese or charcuterie calendars for a more savoury countdown! This is a delightful way to indulge in festive flavours each day and discover new gourmet products to enjoy long after Christmas.

For a healthier twist, try creating your own Advent calendar filled with dried fruits, nuts, or homemade granola bars.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're making your own or opting for a luxurious, ready-made version, there's an Advent calendar out there to suit every age and interest. From personal, heartfelt touches to indulgent luxuries, these creative Advent calendar ideas will bring a touch of magic to the festive countdown and make the lead-up to Christmas even more memorable.

Which of these unique Advent calendars would you choose for your countdown this year?

Creating a Unique Family Christmas Gift: A Special Photographic Christmas Calendar

As Christmas approaches, many of us begin to search for that perfect gift: Something thoughtful, personal, and full of meaning. 

One of the most unique and memorable presents you can create is a customised photographic Christmas calendar. 

This thoughtful gift combines personal memories with practical use, making it the perfect choice for family and friends alike. Even those who live overseas.

And you can even put together a Christmas care package of tasty traditional treats to accompany your special calendar to family members who are living abroad and who might be missing the comforts of a Christmas at home. In fact, we'll be covering such care packages in a later post, so please keep your eyes open for that. 

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you design and publish your own special calendar in time for the festive season.

1. Gather Your Photos

The heart of a photographic calendar is, of course, the photos! Start by selecting twelve meaningful images, one for each month. These could include:

Family moments: birthdays, anniversaries, or family holidays.

Milestones: the birth of a new baby, graduations, or even a new home.

Candid snapshots: natural, in-the-moment photos that capture the essence of your family and friends.

Seasonal images: photos that reflect the season or holidays for each month (snowy winter walks, blooming spring flowers, summer beach trips, autumnal leaves).

If the calendar is for a close family, consider mixing both recent photos and some nostalgic older ones. This blend creates a wonderful balance between cherishing the past and celebrating the present.

2. Choose a Theme

A cohesive theme will make your calendar look polished and professional. The theme could be as simple as using a consistent filter or colour scheme across all your photos, or it could be more specific:

Seasonal Themes: Match your photos to the seasons, with festive winter photos, spring blossoms, summer fun, and autumnal tones.

Family Heritage: For a more nostalgic touch, delve into old family photo albums and select a mix of historical and modern photos. You could dedicate certain months to different generations.

Holiday Travels: If your family has had a year full of adventure, create a travel-themed calendar with photos from your favourite trips.

Whatever theme you choose, ensure the images flow smoothly from one month to the next, offering a visual journey through the year.

3. Add Personal Touches

To make the calendar even more special, consider including personal dates and reminders. You can add:

Family Birthdays: Mark important birthdays with fun icons or little notes.

Anniversaries: Highlight special dates such as wedding anniversaries.

Special Events: Include upcoming family events, holidays, or gatherings already planned for the next year.

You might also want to add little quotes or captions alongside some photos, offering a heartfelt message or a funny memory that ties in with the image.

4. Choose a Design Platform

Once you have your photos and theme, the next step is to design the calendar. There are numerous user-friendly platforms that allow you to upload your photos and customise your design. Here are a few popular options:

Canva: A great choice for beginners, Canva offers a range of pre-made calendar templates that you can customise. You can upload your own photos, add text, and tweak the design to suit your preferences.

https://www.canva.com/en_gb

Vistaprint: Known for high-quality printing services, Vistaprint also offers an easy-to-use calendar design tool. You can choose from several templates and print your calendar in different sizes.

https://www.vistaprint.co.uk

Photobox: Specialising in photo gifts, Photobox allows you to create calendars quickly, with options for various layouts and sizes.

https://www.photobox.co.uk

Once you've designed your calendar, you can either print it yourself at home or have it professionally printed and bound.

CEWE: Offer wide range of photographically printed goods. Available either on line or via branches of Boots.

https://www.cewe.co.uk

Mixam: Offers various printing services including books, art prints, etc.

https://mixam.co.uk

Max Spielmann: Wide range of photographic printing services including mugs, jigsaws, calendars, etc. In store in supermarkets, etc.

https://www.maxphoto.co.uk

5. Printing and Binding

While digital design is key, the final look depends heavily on the print quality. You want your calendar to feel substantial and look professional. If you're printing at home, invest in high-quality photo paper. However, it’s often easier and more effective to use an online printing service like Vistaprint or Photobox, which will print and bind your calendar for you.

Options to consider include:

Size: Standard A4 or A3-sized calendars are ideal, but some companies offer more creative sizes, like square or long portrait.

Paper: Choose a high-quality, glossy or matte paper to enhance your photos.

Binding: Spiral binding works well for calendars, making it easy to flip through each month.

6. Add a Festive Finishing Touch

To make your calendar truly feel like a Christmas gift, think about how you'll package and present it. Wrap it in festive paper with a beautiful bow, or place it in a decorative gift box. You could even include a handwritten note or a personalised Christmas card to add that final touch of thoughtfulness.

7. Give the Gift of Memories

Once your calendar is ready, it’s time to share it with family and friends. Whether you’re giving it to your immediate family or as a wider gift to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, the calendar will be a daily reminder of your love and shared memories throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

A photographic Christmas calendar is more than just a gift – it’s a celebration of the people and moments that matter most. By carefully selecting your photos and personalising the design, you’re creating a keepsake that will be treasured long after the year ends. This Christmas, give the gift of memories – and make every day of the new year a reminder of love and togetherness.

Happy creating, and Merry Christmas!

Contact Coffee Co Unveils Coffee Advent Calendar Tailored for the every day missions

Contact Coffee's Their Ground Coffee Advent Calendar stands as the pinnacle of their commitment to the pursuit of quick, quality coffee, even or perhaps especially, during the festive season. 

Boasting coffee varieties sourced from all over the world, this treasure trove of individualised sachets delivers an innovative way to discover beloved and new brews in your own kitchen or wherever you happen to be. 

Each daily sachet contains 18g of freshly ground coffee, encapsulating the rich, unique flavours of 13 distinct blends. 

A carefully designed window at the bottom of the calendar allows for fuss-free retrieval, ensuring your daily coffee experience remains as smooth as the drink itself.

Conceived with their unyielding attention to detail and an unquenchable passion for coffee, this Advent calendar truly epitomises Contact Coffee Co.'s mantra. "Making and drinking great coffee with ease."

The story of Contact Coffee dates back to two serving Royal Marines who became frustrated and a little bit disgusted by having to drink poor quality freeze dried coffee during operations and exercises all over the world. (In the 24 hour ration packs! We at That's Christmas know them quite well!)

Difficulty in resupplying and low budgets resulted in either no coffee or the freeze dried substandard instant coffee only reaching deployed Royal Marines and soldiers wherever they were stationed in the world.

Obviously, they wanted to launch a military coffee company that would provide serving military personnel with good quality coffee, no matter which environment their career might take them into.

Their mantra of “Quick Coffee” drives them to seek ways of brewing the best fresh coffee with minimal equipment and in the shortest amount of time possible. Very important if you are involved in a military operation.

Field testing every product to ensure it's properly “soldier proof” and tastes delicious continues to take priority over aesthetics. Their coffee has been trialled and tested in all sorts of environments, from the Arctic circle to jungles. All of their coffee and products give theior customers the best fighting chance of making and drinking great coffee with ease. No matter where they are.

That's Christmas thinks this should be in the Christmas stockings of all military personnel and all coffee lovers, no matter where they are!

To learn more or to place your order please visit http://www.contactcoffee.com

Say hello to the new 2024 Tealight Advent Calendar from St Eval

Cornwall's St. Eval is thrilled to reveal the latest addition to their range of products, a Tealight Advent Calendar that will bring joy to each day as you countdown to Christmas.

Introducing the enchanting St. Eval Tealight Advent Calendar, a magical journey through 24 unique fragrances, each day revealing a new scent to warm your home this festive season.

Behind every door, you'll find a beautifully crafted tealight, accompanied by a charming tealight holder to elevate your daily ritual.

With whimsical fairytale illustrations, intricate gold foiling, and delicate details that bring the magic of the season to life, the design draws inspiration from nature and the world of castles and magical creatures, transporting you to a place where wonder is just around the corner.

Each fragrance in the collection is carefully curated to delight your senses and create an atmosphere of joy and tranquillity. 

Whether you prefer the rich, cosy warmth of festive spices or the fresh, invigorating notes of pine and citrus, there’s a scent for every moment in the lead-up to Christmas.

This year, let the St. Eval Tealight Advent Calendar transform your home or office into a sanctuary of festive cheer and wonder, one tealight at a time.

Carefully packaged with true attention to detail, the calendar is designed to arrive safely at your doorstep, ensuring that the magic begins from the moment it's delivered.

Perfect as a gift for loved ones or as a treat for yourself, the St. Eval Tealight Advent Calendar is the ultimate way to make this Christmas season unforgettable.

Nestled on their own farm in North Cornwall, St. Eval are unique scent seekers who sustainably craft candles and home fragrances inspired by their close affinity with nature. 

Proudly B Corp certified, St. Eval incorporate a blend of traditional and contemporary crafting methods to prioritise sustainably and maintain their superior mark of quality.  

http://www.st-eval.com

John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2024. £900 worth of beauty for £195

What's worth over £900 and on sale from the 3rd of October for a mere £195? 

The John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2024 which includes 20 full-size beauty must-haves. 

Launching the sign up page earlier than ever before following a +400% surge in online searches on johnlewis.com.

The Advent features a total of 32 beauty products from top beauty companies such as Charlotte Tilbury, Sol De Janeiro and Parfums de Marly.

The John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar is back again and the 2024 edition features more full-size beauty must-haves than ever before. 

Following a +400% surge in customers searching for ‘Beauty Advent Calendar' on johnlewis.com over the summer, they launched their customer sign-up page earlier than ever this year.

Last year's calendar was am utter sell-out success and this year their in-house team of beauty experts has worked to curate 25 drawers of delight, fully packed with a whopping 32 beauty products in total. 

It has the highest number of full-size beauty must-haves for a John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar to date, with 20 in total. 

The advent lineup features brands such as Sol de Janeiro (new to John Lewis from this year), Laura Mercier, Charlotte Tilbury and OUAI alongside Parfums de Marly, Rodial, Living Proof, and Bobbi Brown. The calendar also features a range of B-Corp brands including Aromatherapy Associates, Elemis, Neom, Rituals and Sunday Riley. 

Like in previous years, the advent calendar is housed in a fully recyclable box with reversible drawers so customers can upcycle or fill up the Advent next year. They’ve also included more surprises than ever before:

Ten lucky customers will open a draw to find a £500 John Lewis gift card (WOW!)

30 advent calendars include a luxurious 40-minute Elemis Expert™ Facial Voucher treat.

Over 200 advents include a voucher for a treatment at a John Lewis Cavendish Clinic * *

Plus two ultimate spa breaks are up for grabs:

One advent includes a luxury spa break with NEOM at the 5* Rockcliffe Hall for two.

One advent includes an Aromatherapy Associates Spa Experience for two at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel & Spa.

Tomas Warwick, John Lewis Lead for Skincare, Haircare and Wellness at John Lewis says: “The John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar is back and this year’s is our most impressive yet! It is filled with products from our best-selling brands, from TikTok trenders to skincare favourites and makeup must-haves. 

"Plus we’ve included some very special treats for a number of lucky customers from facial vouchers to luxury spa breaks. Our customers are already counting down the days until December 1st, ‘Beauty Advent Calendar’ is one of our top five most searched-for beauty items at the moment.”

Choose Environmentally friendly, innovative PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR Advent Calendars

PLAYMOBIL is staying true to its sustainability strategies with its latest eco-friendly innovation. The latest PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR Advent Calendar eschews plastics, instead it's going for renewable materials from PAPACKS®, Europe’s top manufacturer of moulded fibre packaging. 

This innovative solution wipes away single-use plastic from PLAYMOBIL’s toddler Advent calendars, marking a significant step towards genuine, comprehensive sustainability.

Tahsin Dag, Founder & CEO of PAPACKS®, says: “Our collaboration with PLAYMOBIL is a bold statement for a sustainable future. Our fibre-based trays, made using only renewable resources, offers a cutting-edge, eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic. This doesn't only ensures a sustainable Christmas season but also, we hope, inspires other firms and companies to embrace the move toward a plastic-free economy.”

Since the start of 2024, in excess of 90% of materials used in all PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR sets have been made using special new biobased plastics. 

These plastics follow a circular economy approach, using byproducts from food or paper production. The new materials in the product line for children aged 1 to 4 maintain PLAYMOBIL’s trusted quality, safe for children, durable, and easy to clean. The packaging also features recycled cardboard, and the new moulded fibre inlays, crafted from renewable raw materials, are food-safe and child-friendly, too.

With this sustainable packaging solution for the Advent calendar trays, PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR and PAPACKS® are ensuring the Christmas season can be enjoyed in an eco-conscious way—while toddlers explore a world of fun.

The new PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR Advent Calendar Snowy Christmas (Item No.: 70297) is available wherever good toys are sold.

Product Highlights Include:

Reindeer plane with three attachable and combinable elements

Six stackable footstep stones with control images on the underside

Nine woodland animals

Christmas tree with hidden compartments

Spinning star

Two angels and Santa Claus

Dimensions of reindeer plane (without figures): approx. 23.5 x 12 x 5.5 cm

Christmas tree: approx. 10 x 5.5 x 13.5 cm

FACTFILE:

The Horst Brandstätter Group is a global player known for its renowned brands PLAYMOBIL and LECHUZA, delivering quality, innovation, and genuine value to consumers. PLAYMOBIL's imaginative role-playing toy, featuring its 7.5 cm figures, animals, and extensive accessories, has fascinated children for 50 years. With over 3.8 billion figures produced since 1974, PLAYMOBIL’s award-winning play worlds are available in around 100 countries worldwide.

PAPACKS® leads the charge in developing and manufacturing sustainable, plastic-free packaging solutions. Specializing in moulded fibre packaging made primarily from tree and hemp fibres, PAPACKS® creates food-safe packaging through advanced technology and environmental commitment. Dedicated to a circular economy, PAPACKS® is reducing plastic pollution and invites businesses worldwide to join the movement toward a sustainable future.

You can learn more at https://www.playmobil.com/en-gb

The Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is a sweet Christmas treat for all

Bonne Maman has released their new enchanting Advent Calendar which contains 23 different mini jars of conserves - especially prepared for the Christmas season.

This year every calendar purchased from the Bonne Maman website will receive their most delicious award winning Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, in a beautifully embellished jar. 

And what's more: There is also a little surprise gift on Christmas Eve. 

Where can you make purchase of this veritable family Christmas tradition? Either online from Bonne Maman themselves at www.bonnemaman.co.uk at £28.00 rrp.

It will also be available from selected, specialist retailers such as Waitrose & Partners stores, Selfridges and Fenwicks.

A Piece of Delicious Gluten Free Flapjack Every Day with Flapjackery's Advent Calendar Box

We are launching the That's Christmas Advent Calendar series of features with the wonderful news that Flapjackery is launching its 2024 flapjack advent calendar box. To learn more, please read on!

Flapjackery's Gluten-Free Advent Calendar Box (£65) promises a daily December delight with its mouth-watering pieces of flapjack, perfect for counting down to Christmas. (Actually, as a diagnosed coeliac my wife is always looking for gluten-free treats and foods.)

Inside, you'll find twenty-four scrummy and delicious individually wrapped half-pieces of gluten-free flapjacks in an irresistible array of flavours. 

Expect festive favourites such as Mince Pie, Florentine, Orange and Cranberry, and even Milk Chocolate Flapjack topped with holly piped in white chocolate.

Handmade in Devon, right on the very edge of Dartmoor, these flapjacks are crafted using the finest of  oats and locally-sourced West Country ingredients such as 100% real real butter and Fairtrade brown sugar. It's a delicious daily treat guaranteed to keep you going through the chilly December days.

Available for delivery between 1st November and 1st December (if no date is specified, they'll be sent out from 15th November onwards), these tasty delights arrive in recyclable packaging and stay fresh for weeks. Oh, and did we mention they're all gluten-free?

Visit Flapjackery.co.uk to order your's and add a bit of joy to your December!

The Advent calendar Box contains the following 24 half pieces 

Rudolph Fudge Flapjack

Caramel Latte Flapjack

Creamy Hazelnut Chocolate Flapjack

Orange and Cranberry Flapjack

Ginger & Dark Chocolate Flapjack

Millionaires Flapjack piped with a tree in white chocolate

Mince Pie Flapjack

Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel Flapjack

Peanut Butter Fudge Flapjack

Burnt Caramel and Sea Salt Flapjack

Creamy Fudge Flapjack

Traditional Flapjack

Raspberry Millionaires Flapjack

Salted Caramel Caramel Fudge Flapjack

Christmas Rocky Road Flapjack

Billionaires Flapjack

Milk Chocolate Flapjackery piped with holly in white chocolate

Mint Chocolate Flapjack

Treacle Flapjack

Florentine Flapjack

Milk Chocolate Orange Flapjack

Clotted Cream Fudge Flapjack

Chocolate Fudge Flapjack

Honeycomb Rocky Road Flapjack

FACTFILE:-

Who'd have thought an empire would be created out of a love for the humble flapjack? But that's exactly what Carol Myott and her former business partner Sally Jenkin  built, despite both being semi-retired when they started their baking business.

From their kitchens in rural west Devon way back in 2015 (2025 is going to be a BIG year, trust us on that!) right on the foothills of Dartmoor, they began baking cakes for their local farmers' market. It was the flapjacks that flew off the table,it was all very basic back then, so they focused on this, introducing some eclectic and mouth-watering flavours.

They decided to grow bigger and attended shows like the BBC Good Food Show, and sold out. That's when they knew a collective love of flapjacks wasn't just a whim, people loved these gluten free chunks of oat-filled treats, with flavours like Burnt Caramel and Sea Salt, Honeycomb Rocky Road, and Summer Fruits Crumble to whet the appetite.

Fast forward to 2024, and there are now 12 shops dotted about the Westcountry, mostly in astonishingly stunning seaside towns, with their original shop in Tavistock, which opened back in 2019, the flag bearer for all things Flapjackery. Amazingly, every single flapjack is handmade at their Tavistock bakery! Wow! How cool is that?!

With Sally stepping back, the business is led by Carol and continues to expand nationally. The key ingredients of the flapjacks remain the same, and Carol has some tips on how to make the perfect flapjacks: "Weigh the golden syrup! Lots of recipes measure by tablespoon, but this is very inaccurate and too much syrup can result in a hard finish. People's instinct is to add a bit more to make it soft and gooey, but this has the opposite effect. We recommend the same weight of sugar to golden syrup, which, together, should equal the weight of butter—so if the recipe says 300g of butter, we'd use 150g of sugar and 150g of golden syrup."

That's Christmas and sister site That's Food and Drink (run by a delightfully dotty husband and wife team) have been keenly watching and promoting Flapjackery since we were first introduced to them by our friends at Raw Food and Drink PR.

Wise Bartender Releases Two Advent Calendars Featuring Alcohol-Free Drinks to Ensure Growing Numbers of Non-Drinkers Can Celebrate This Christmas

With demand for tasty and satisfying alcohol-free drinks continuing to rise and flourish, award-winning online retailer Wise Bartender has launched two advent calendars to ensure the traditional ritual of receiving a daily treat during advent remains accessible to everyone.

Pre-orders are being taken for the Wise Bartender beer advent calendar and the sweet and tasty version that includes a selection of alcohol-free alternatives to wine, cider, spirits and cocktails. Both are offered at an early bird price of £59.99, including free delivery, but will revert to the standard price of £79.99 when the initial supply of 250 is exhausted.

Says Tom Ward, founder of Wise Bartender: “The Wise Bartender website gives anyone looking to cut out or cut back the amount of alcohol they consume a chance to discover refreshingly different alcohol-free drinks, with over 400 products available.

"Our advent calendars are a popular addition each year as they offer a cost-effective way of trying a selection of 24 delicious drinks and sharing the experience of eagerly opening an advent door every day with hundreds of other mindful drinkers.”

The Wise Bartender beer advent calendar includes 24 different alcohol-free beers (all between 0.0% - 0.5% ABV) with styles including lager, pilsner, stout, ale, IPA, and wheat beers drawn from a range of favourite brands and some exciting new additions.

Alternatively, customers can choose the Wise Bartender sweet and tasty advent calendar which offers a diverse selection of 24 different alcohol-free drinks, including wine, cider, spirit and cocktail alternatives to enjoy. All the drinks in this calendar are vegan-friendly to ensure everyone can indulge in a daily alcohol-free treat.

“During December, the Wise Bartender social media pages are given over to content relating to the advent calendars” added Tom “with producers providing imagery and videos that give information about their drinks, and we encourage everyone who is opening their calendar to join in with their photos and feedback so that it's a truly interactive experience. 

"And when you discover some great, new drinks that you enjoy we've got you covered as both Wise Bartender advent calendars come with a discount voucher to stock up on your favourites during December.”

Whether you want to cut back on alcohol, regularly consume alcohol-free drinks, or just want to try an alternative range of drinks over the festive period, the original alcohol-free advent calendars from Wise Bartender are really your go-to choice. They combine the traditional enjoyment of opening an advent calendar,  alongside savouring a tasty alcohol-free drink, exploring its background and then using your discount to stock up with further supplies of your favourites so that you can celebrate Christmas your own way.

Wise Bartender advent calendars are now available to pre-order from https://wisebartender.co.uk/collections/advent-calendar with delivery scheduled in November. They are part of a range of mixed alcohol-free drink packs that are available, which make excellent Christmas gifts for everyone who wants to celebrate over the festive season, but chooses not to do so with alcohol.

Christmas is Coming! Revealing the 2024 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar

As the first crisp whispers of winter fill the air, the festive season draws ever closer, bringing with it the excitement and joy of Christmas. 

Among the many beloved traditions that mark this special time of year, advent calendars hold a unique place, turning the countdown to Christmas into a daily celebration. 

For those who cherish moments of sweetness and indulgence, the 2024 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is a gift that promises to make each December morning a delightful surprise.

The Charm of Bonne Maman

Bonne Maman, known for its iconic checkered lids and charming jars, has long been a staple in kitchens across the UK. Their preserves, with flavours as rich and comforting as the memories they evoke, have a timeless appeal that transcends generations. Each jar is a tribute to traditional French craftsmanship, made with natural ingredients and no artificial additives. It’s no wonder that Bonne Maman has become synonymous with quality and authenticity.

A Taste of Christmas Every Day

The 2024 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is a feast for the senses, designed to bring joy to the countdown to Christmas. Housed in an elegant, festive box adorned with a winter wonderland theme, this calendar is more than just a collection of jams—it's a daily journey through the world of Bonne Maman’s exquisite flavours.

Each of the 24 windows reveals a miniature jar of a unique Bonne Maman preserve or honey, including some exclusive seasonal flavours that are only available in the advent calendar. From classic favourites like Strawberry and Raspberry to more adventurous offerings such as Cherry with Hibiscus Flower or Pear with Cocoa Nibs, this calendar is a celebration of creativity and tradition.

New Flavours to Discover

Bonne Maman has once again outdone itself with the 2024 calendar, introducing new, limited-edition flavours that are sure to become instant favourites. While the exact lineup remains a closely guarded secret, fans can expect a mix of fruity, floral, and festive flavours, each crafted to evoke the spirit of the season. Whether you're spreading these delectable preserves on your morning toast, swirling them into yoghurt, or using them to elevate your baking, each jar offers a moment of pure indulgence.

The Perfect Gift

The Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is more than just a treat for yourself; it's a thoughtful gift for anyone who appreciates fine foods and the simple pleasure of a delicious jam. Whether you're looking to surprise a loved one or want to add a touch of sweetness to your own festive celebrations, this calendar is a perfect choice. Its charming presentation and the promise of daily delights make it a gift that keeps on giving, right up until Christmas Eve.

Where to Find It

The 2024 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is available at various retailers across the UK, both in-store and online. However, given its popularity in previous years, it's wise to secure yours early, as it tends to sell out quickly. Whether you're a long-time fan of Bonne Maman or new to the brand, this advent calendar is sure to add an extra layer of joy to your Christmas season.

Conclusion

As the countdown to Christmas begins, there's no better way to savour the anticipation than with the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar. Each jar inside is a little treasure, capturing the warmth and joy of the festive season. So, as the days grow shorter and the nights colder, let Bonne Maman fill your December mornings with sweetness, one jar at a time.

Christmas is coming, and with it, the promise of 24 days of delicious discovery. Don’t miss out on this year’s Bonne Maman Advent Calendar—after all, a little sweetness makes the Christmas season that much brighter.

A delicious way to spread the festive joy this Christmas season, the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is available to order from September online at www.bonnemaman.co.uk at £28.00 rrp.

Calendars, diaries and more from Danilo

If you want high quality calendars, diaries and more for your Christmas gifting look no further than Danilo.

Everyone who you know in your family and your wider circle of friends is covered! Royal Horticultural Society tie-ins, a Musical Star Wars Calendar, A Liverpool FC boxed set, a Disney Baby's First Year Calendar, Children's Activity Sets, a BBC Frozen Planet II A5 diary and a whole host of TV and a host of  film/movie tie-ins including Barbie, Mrs Brown's boys, Yellowstone, Peppa Pig, Baby Shark and many more besides, including gift wrappers and bags. 

Looking for a more organised life during 2024? Then they have special family organisers, too! Ideal for your cousin or for a spot of self-gifting, perhaps? Gamers or Anime fans you need to buy for? They are covered, too! Also, look out for their greeting cards, music collector's specials and much, much more!

And you'll be able to make your gifting purchases safe in the knowledge that not only are Danilo products absolutely perfect, but that the company is 100% dedicated to making a firm, genuine commitment to prioratising sustainability in all areas of their business operations.

This includes implementing a carbon reduction and offsetting plan, reducing the use of plastics and making certain that, once their products have been finished with, that recycling or reusing them will be much easier. Plus they are also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and have clear recycling labeling on all of their products. 

Danilo also operates a nifty tree planting programme in partnership with Ecologi, whereby for every £10 spent on their site, they plant a tree. 

So the more gifts you buy from Danilo, the more trees you and they  can plant together. 

You can view the progress of their virtual forest by clicking visiting here https://ecologi.com/danilopromotionsltd

To learn more and find out what you'll want to buy, visit www.danilo.com

12 days of M&S: Over six million doors opened in nations biggest digital advent calendar

Over six million digital doors were opened on the M&S app in just five days.

Hundreds of thousands of new customers have downloaded the app, pushing it to number one in the app store over the first weekend.

Over half a million free gifts and savings were redeemed– with over 10 million still up for grabs in the remaining week, including Christmas light up Liqueurs and bottles of Prosecco.

 In just the first five days, more than six million doors were opened since ’12 Days of M&S’, the retailer’s popular digital advent calendar, launched on 1 December.

Previously known as ‘12 Days of Sparks’, the digital advent calendar returned this month for its third year, bigger and better than ever before, pushing the M&S app to number 1 in the app store over the first  weekend, as hundreds of thousands rushed to download the app.

In the first five days, over half a million customers redeemed their free gifts or festive offers which included everything from Christmas decorations, pyjamas, slippers to chocolates and boxes of biscuits.

Over 10 million other free gifts were also available, sincluding the hugely popular Christmas light up Liqueurs and bottles of Prosecco, plus a special saving on Christmas Jumpers, just in time for the big day.

Customers who opened all 12 doors, were automatically be entered into the draw for the chance to win a magical M&S Christmas with a £10k M&S Gift Card, plus thousands of other prizes up for grabs, too.

Sharry Cramond, Director of M&S Food Marketing and M&S Loyalty said: “We wanted to make 12 Days of M&S bigger, better and more festive than ever before and the response was absolutely incredible, with hundreds of thousands of customers picking up their free gifts from stores and making savings using their festive offers."

Take an evocative Step Into Santa's Workshop With the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar

Take an evocative  step into Santa's workshop during the joyful countdown to Christmas with an enchanting, but limited edition Bonne Maman Advent Calendar full of festive treats and surprises.

And for Christmas 2023 every order from the Bonne Maman website will also receive a very special asnd entirely complimentary gift box set of three full size jars of these exciting new spreads: Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, Chocolate & Orange Spread plus Caramelised Apple Spread.

Already working very hard on the Christmas preparations, a group of merry Santa's elves have filled the calendar doors with seventeen mini jars of delicious jams & spreads, each one utterly unique, prepared exclusively for this Christmas; flavours will include Milk Caramel with Cinnamon, Apricot with Lavender, Chestnut Orange with Spices, Raspberry with Dark Chocolate or Cherry with Pink Peppercorn. 

Also to be discovered in this very special and very select  seasonal collection are six herbal teas, the likers of Silent Night with delicately scented lemon verbena, damask rose and linden or Christmas Blend with richly evocative pomegranate, star anise, hibiscus and orange. 

Then on Christmas Eve you'll be able to discover a very pretty, surprise gift, just in time for the big day itself!

It's a deliciously festive way to say 'Joyeux Noël' to friends and family during the Christmas season, the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is available to order from this month, September, online at www.bonnemaman.co.uk  at £28.00, plus £5 courier delivery charge.

The Bonne Maman Advent calendar will also be available from Selfridges, Fenwicks, WH Smith and Ocado plus other select specialist stores including Ratton Pantry.

An advent calendar and more from Swizzels!

Britain's favourite and iconic sweety maker, Swizzels, will be launching two new gift drum lines in time for Christmas 2023. 

They’ll also be offering their fantastic, iconic and much-loved Sweet Shop Favourites Tubs, Sweet Shop Favourites Pouches, Sweet Shop Favourites Cartons and advent calendars for this Christmas.

All of the delicious Swizzel products will be available throughout the country to purchase from this month (September) onwards from major retailers and c-stores.

Swizzels' new gift drums will capture the Christmas spirit and will offer much-loved and sought-after flavours that the nation truly loves. 

The new gift drums are packed to the gunnels with Swizzels sweets Love Hearts or Drumstick chew variants and are a fine and ideal gift for loved ones this holiday season.

Mr Swizzels Sweet Shop Advent Calendar will be certain to delight all Swizzels fans in the lead up to Christmas! 24 doors are filled with Swizzels favourites including Refreshers, Drumstick, Love Hearts and Squashies.

The MRSP is £5.

You can visit their online shop here: https://www.swizzels.com.