I research and evaluate all recommended products and services. This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on links, I may receive compensation. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my commercial disclosure by clicking here.
ADVENT CALENDARS TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY
Here’s a roundup of some of the most brilliant Advent Calendars for everyone in your family, from baby’s first Christmas through kids and teens and even some fun Advent calendars for mums and dads.
There are some patterns and tutorials for those of you who fancy making an Advent Calendar or crafting one with your kids. There are also some gorgeous reusable Advent Calendars.
THE ADVENT OF A NEW KIND OF CALENDAR
Long gone are the days of opening an Advent Calendar to receive a biblical image or small flat chocolate.
Instead, the first day of Advent is almost as excitedly anticipated as Christmas Day itself as everyone piles downstairs to open the first door on their beauty or Lego or gourmet treats Calendar… even Fido the dog and Felix the cat can get in on the act.
If you’re the one who has to find the perfect Advent Calendar or Calendars, here’s a curation of some of the finest around.
31 BEST ADVENT CALENDARS FOR ALL THE FAMILY
1. BABY’S FIRST ADVENT
-
£19.95 (at time of publication)Buy from EtsyWhat better time to buy a reusable Advent Calendar than for your baby's first Christmas?
Fill this gorgeous Scandi-Style illustrated fabric Christmas advent calendar with little treats to make the countdown to Christmas Day extra special.
-
£15 (at time of publication)Buy from notonthehighstreetThis Advent Calendar helps you to capture 24 daily memories, including firsts like trying Brussels sprouts or visiting Santa. Each day has space for notes and a photo; the set comes in a personalised tin for safekeeping. It's a nice space-saving keepsake.
2. CALENDARS TODDLERS WILL TOTALLY LOVE
-
£58 (at time of publication)Buy from notonthehighstreet.comPerfect for toddlers who love their trains, this calendar can be used year after year through childhood.
-
£45.82Buy from AmazonThis Playmobil calendar is great value for money because the toys inside can be played with endlessly after they've been revealed behind the doors. It's suitable for toddlers from a year old. with age-appropriate sizing and rounded edges, it's perfect for little hands.
12/06/2023 09:13 am GMT -
£2.25 (at time of publication)Buy from OcadoWhether you are a believer or not, this Nativity Advent Calendar, filled with 24 chocolates, is a great way to help toddlers understand why we celebrate Christmas.
3. ADVENT CALENDARS FOR KIDS
-
£25.00£18.75Buy from AmazonBluey is popular with kids of all ages, but this calendar would be perfect for 3-7-year-olds who love Bluey storybooks and colouring in. There are 24 books to read or colour.
12/06/2023 03:28 am GMT -
£21.99£18.25Buy from AmazonThis Calendar has 24 individual pockets, each containing a mini edition of a Mr. Men or Little Miss story, many with a Christmas flavour.
This is great for kids who can't have chocolate, don't like chocolate or when you want to encourage your child's love of reading.
12/06/2023 03:28 am GMT -
£21.00Buy from AmazonThere are 24 pots of Play-Doh, tools and activity ideas in this bright and fun Advent Calendar. Perfect for keeping little preschoolers' hands busy in the run-up to Christmas.
12/06/2023 06:59 am GMT -
£13 (at time of publication)Buy from BootsLindt teddies and bunnies are now a firm fixture at Christmas. This calendar has 24 teddies and an augmented-reality story for each day of Advent.
-
£25.95 (at time of publication)Buy from Fortnum & MasonFortnum's Christmas shop window displays are legendary so this Fortnum & Mason store-shaped advent calendar will bring a touch of London sparkle to Advent. There are 25 festive-shaped chocolates hiding behind the doors.
4. ADVENT CALENDARS TWEENS WILL LOVE
-
£34.99£32.88Buy from AmazonMy daughter and her pals went through a crystal collecting phase in their tweens, so I think this calendar would be perfect for gem-loving tweens. There are 24 polished stones, plus kit to make jewellery with.
12/06/2023 06:28 am GMT -
£125 (at time of publication)Buy from LushNow I know this calendar isn't cheap by a long shot! But if you have Lush-obsessed kids in the house, this is going to blow their minds! There's an assortment of 25 bubble bars, melts and bath bombs, and the calendar itself is reusable. So hey, the first year they get Lush, the next few years it's Aldi!!
5. TIKTOK WORTHY CALENDARS FOR TEENS
-
£21 (at time of publication)Buy from Boots14 different mouthwatering flavours behind 24 windows is enough to thrill even the most eye-rolly teen. Think banoffee pie, salted caramel, double chocolate...
-
£20 (at time of publication)Buy from The Naked Marshmallow CoThere are 25 deliciously gooey pieces of heaven to savour throughout Advent. Plus, festive jokes and fun facts to thrill teens over breakfast! Think vanilla bean, salted caramel, candy floss, S'mores...
-
Buy from AmazonMy teen loves Friends reruns. If yours does, too, this Advent could be the one with the 24 Beauty Days Advent Calendar that they love!
It's official merch, with a lovely selection of beauty treats.
-
£69.90 (£74.56 / 100 ml)Buy from AmazonThere are 25 festive mini OPI nail polishes in this Limited Edition Advent Calendar.
12/06/2023 08:33 pm GMT -
£48 (at time of publication)Buy from BootsThe Revolution 25 Days of Glam Advent Calendar will sleigh (see what I did there?!) for make-up-loving teens. There's everything from lip glosses to eyeliners and beauty accessories.
6. CALENDARS FOR PARENTS
-
£47.46Buy from Amazon Buy from notonthehighstreet.comThis is a great Advent Calendar for parents who love a bit of nostalgia or love heading to a festival in a camper van. The model is 1:43 scale and there's an instruction book.
12/06/2023 06:23 am GMT -
£42.99 (at time of publication)Buy from LakelandEach soy wax melt has a scent from a different beautiful area of the UK. This Advent Calendar includes a ceramic melter, but you can buy the Calendar without the melter for £29.99.
-
£260 (at time of publication)Buy from Fortnum & MasonWhat I love about Fortnum's Beauty Advent Calendar is that there are only a couple of make-up items (a nude lipstick and an eyebrow liner), and 22 of the 30 products are FULL SIZE, which means it stands apart from many other beauty advent calendars that have a bunch of make-up that isn't going to suit everyone and loads of mini or sample size products. This, in my opinion, is THE beauty advent calendar to buy in 2023.
7. ADVENT CALENDARS PERRRFECT FOR CATS AND DOGS
-
£6 (at time of publicationBuy from BatterseaThis calendar contains four types of tasty treats: duck, lamb, turkey and chicken behind 24 doors.
-
£8.00 (£250.00 / kg)Buy from AmazonThere are 24 delicious chicken treats behind the doors of this super cute kitty calendar.
12/05/2023 08:08 pm GMT
8. EASY HOMEMADE ADVENT CALENDARS
Want to make an Advent Calendar instead of buying one this year? Here’s a roundup of easy-to-make homemade Advent Calendars.
I’ve found some lovely patterns on Etsy and then rounded up some of the loveliest ideas and tutorials for homemade Advent Calenders from around the Blogosphere.
One of the things I love about homemade Advent Calendars is that you can fill them with treats and mini gifts of your choosing.
You can even mix in little notes with details of surprise outings or activities for your kids to do, rather than every pocket having an actual gift in it.
-
£15.42 (at time of publication)Buy from EtsyThis is a PDF pattern for a felt Christmas tree advent calendar over on Etsy. It's an instant digital download, so you can literally buy it and start making it.
-
£18.50 (at time of publication)Buy from EtsyThis reindeer advent calendar pattern has step-by-step instructions and a detailed material list. It's designed especially for beginners with clearly written directions and beautifully illustrated photographs. It guides you through creating what could become a gorgeous family heirloom.
-
£8.40 (at time of publication)Buy from EtsyThis is a PDF digital sewing pattern for a Big Pocket Advent Calendar. The expanding pockets are large enough to fit three packets of sweets or small gifts so that they can be filled with treats for the whole family during Advent.
DIY: Reusable Advent Calendar
A wonderful re-usable alternative to packages are little bags which could be hung to branches or to a simple twig arrangement like Design Mom.
DIY Nativity Advent Calendar Pattern and Tutorial
I love this bright but minimalist Advent Calendar, the tutorial is super easy to follow, make it, and you'll have a family heirloom to use year after year.
Easy DIY Paper Pyramids Advent Calendar with Free Printable Template
Create this easy DIY paper advent calendar with free printable templates for the pyramid boxes. This handmade Advent calendar is a fun Christmas papercraft and a lovely holiday gift idea for kids and teens.
DIY Scraps To Envelopes Advent Calendar
Repurpose gift wrap scraps into paper envelopes. Make 25 of them for a bright advent calendar to hang on the door.
Super Simple Paper Cups Advent Calendar
This is the perfect DIY Advent Calendar for those of us who love the idea of crafting but aren't very crafty!!
Toilet Roll Advent Calendar
Check out this fun and easy Advent Calendar from toilet paper roll tubes. It's a great one to make with kids and then secretly fill it with goodies and treats in time for Advent.
Free Printable Advent Calendar Treat Bag Kit
Use the free PDF printable to print out and make these Advent packets, then peg them to strings for a simple but effective DIY Advent Calendar.
Stocking Advent Calendar Tutorial
This is a great step-by-step advent calendar tutorial by Trillium Design Blog to make a Christmas stockings advent calendar that has stockings you can stuff with mini-gifts or candy!
BEFORE YOU GO…
Pop over to the Gifts section for gift ideas for kids of all ages, from babies through teens.
Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists (Est. 2011). Over the last decade or so, I have combined my experience as a mum, journalist and shopping editor to create useful guides and lists of ideas and inspiration to make it easier for busy parents to plan and host kids’ parties and find great gifts. Read more.
Chelsea J
Friday 15th of November 2013
Oh my goodness these are fantastic! I don't need to look anywhere else for an advent calendar idea! I made a magnetic cookie sheet one last year, but I would love to make more!
Tammy N
Wednesday 13th of November 2013
Loved seeing all the advent calendar ideas. Such a fun tradition..