Although shops and restaurants start their seasonal promotions several months before the big day, for many people the real countdown to Christmas begins on 1 December.
Advent calendars have long been the traditional way to celebrate the approach to Christmas Day, beginning right at the start of the month.
For many years, they were fairly simple, with a festive or winter picture behind each door. However, in more recent times, they have evolved to contain sweets and chocolate.
Even more recently, the Advent calendar market has exploded, with everything from cheese to whisky now available to mark the festive run-up.
In fact, it’s such a crowded market that it can be difficult to know where to start. So, we’ve gathered together some creative, unusual, and indulgent options to give you some Advent ideas.
The early Advent calendars were very different to their contemporary counterparts
The origins of the Advent calendar date back to the 19th century. According to Britannica, the earliest example was created by a Munich housewife to spare her from answering constant questions about when Christmas would arrive.
Although this could be an urban myth, we do know that the first commercially printed calendars arrived not too long afterwards, in the early part of the 20th century, with the little doors appearing in the 1920s.
Fast forward 100 years, and it’s unlikely that too many people are satisfied with a simple picture. Today, there’s a wide range of fun calendars offering an indulgent way to mark Advent.
Whether you’re treating yourself or buying for your partner or a loved one, there really is something out there for everyone. It’s impossible to list them all, but we’ve found seven that stand out from the crowd.
1. For stationery enthusiasts: Papier
If you love stationery, you really love it. And having 24 brand-new stationery gifts throughout December is like Christmas come early.
Papier has curated a beautifully presented box of delights, all designed to bring out your creative side. Uncover a hidden stationery treasure each day to create your very own collection for the new year.
£140
2. For greenfingers: Heirloom seeds from She Grows Veg
There’s not too much going on in the garden in December, so fans of horticulture can get their fix from this eclectic seedling selection.
The 25 individual envelopes are perfectly presented in an eco-cotton bag, and all the packaging is either compostable or renewable.
Each envelope also has a QR code on the back, taking you to a “how to sow and grow” video.
£70
3. For jewellery lovers: Liberty 12 Days of Jewellery
The festive season is often a time for socialising, and thanks to this luxurious offering from Liberty, you can dazzle in sparkling new jewellery on each occasion.
The festive, reusable gift box features 12 drawers, each housing a beautiful new piece from Liberty’s renowned Jewellery Hall.
£895 (combined contents worth £1,478)
4. For cosy feet: Happy Socks
If you think you’re not going to get enough socks in your Christmas stocking, or you’d like to give some as an early gift, then this is the one for you.
There’s no boring black in sight, just 24 pairs of colourful, jazzy socks to up your winter footwear game.
£199.95
5. For puzzlers: Jan Van Haasteren
If you like a brainteaser, then why not enjoy one every day in December? The Jan Van Haasteren Advent calendar features 24 fun puzzles, each with a light-hearted festive theme.
Count down to Christmas by creating a new scene each day to ultimately reveal the full picture.
With a 50-piece puzzle each day, this is a great way to add a fun challenge to your December days.
£23.79
6. For your best friend: Pigs in Blankets Advent calendar for dogs, from Pooch & Mutt
They’re by your side all year round, and now’s the perfect chance to give your dog a special treat every day. In fact, this specially designed canine calendar features two treats behind each of the 24 doors.
Made with high-quality protein and containing collagen and probiotics, these snacks will give your pooch a lovely daily routine for December that’s good for their muscles, coats, skin, and digestion.
£9.99
7. For the kids: Toblerone personalised calendar
You can’t go wrong with chocolate for the grandkids, and this one allows you to add a personal touch. Design the front yourself by adding their name, a photo, and a custom message from you to them.
Inside, they’ll find 24 tasty Toblerone treats in milk, dark, and white, giving them a sweet countdown to Christmas Day.
£19.94
Get in touch
At Fingerprint, we’ll be opening our favourite calendars to count down to Christmas, but we’ll always have plenty of time to talk to you about your financial planning.
Please get in touch by emailing hello@fingerprintfp.co.uk or calling 03452 100 100.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.