25 best non-chocolate advent calendars for 2023, housing everything from jewellery to candles and perfume
Non-chocolate advent calendars are big business. Gone are the days when chocolate advent calendars were the only way to count down to Christmas. Alternative advent calendars are now filled with goodies from tea bags and coffee pods to jewellery and pairs of socks. There are beauty advent calendars, gin advent calendars, wine advent calendars jewellery advent calendars and even sex toy advent calendars. A sparkly new pair of earrings every day in the run-up to the big day, you say? Don’t mind if we do.
It’s official: alternative advent calendars are becoming a little more spectacular with every trip around the sun. But with so many Christmas advent calendars on the market, how can you possibly choose which is best for the recipient you have in mind? That’s where our guide to every non-chocolate advent calendar worth knowing comes in handy. From tea advent calendars to Christmas countdowns for your little one, these limited edition alternative advent calendars make a dreamy early Christmas gift – and the festive season a little more magical.
Best non-chocolate advent calendars at a glance:
- Best Beauty Advent Calendar 2023: Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar, £250
- Best Jewellery Advent Calendar 2023: Astrid & Miyu's Jewellery Advent Calendar, £325
- Best Foodie Advent Calendar 2023: Fortnum & Mason's Feasting Advent Calendar, £200
- Best Tea Advent Calendar 2023: Whittard Tea Advent Calendar, £70
- Best Sex Toy Advent Calendar 2023: Lovehoney X Womanizer Sex Toy Advent Calendar, £150
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For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
Scroll for our full edit of the best non-chocolate advent calendars of 2023.
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Best Beauty Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £250, worth value £1,300.One of the most sought-after non-chocolate advent calendars among makeup and skincare enthusiasts is the Harvey Nichols beauty advent calendar, and this festive season is set to be no different. Complete with 45 (!) products spread across 25 days of festivities, this Harvey Nichols advent calendar is simply unreal. For those lucky enough to get their hands on one, expect to discover the hottest beauty brands to know, including Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty Beauty, Kate Somerville and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. What's more, each advent calendar comes with treatment vouchers for an in-person beauty service, with 1 in 50 including a surprise £100 Harvey Nichols gift card. Dreamy.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Harvey Nichols discount codes.
Best Jewellery Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £325, worth value £604.Editor-approved jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu have announced the launch of their annual jewellery advent calendars for 2023 – one of the best gift ideas for jewellery lovers out there. It's a very rare chance to pick up over £600 worth of Astrid & Miyu jewels for £325. The sell-out 12-day advent calendar comes with the choice of gold or silver plating and is perfect for upgrading your trinket box with some new sparkly gems, including the brand's popular Cosmic Dome Hoops that will become a staple to pair with all your festive looks.
Best Foodie Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £200You'll struggle to find a non-chocolate advent calendar much more indulgent than Fortnum & Mason's Feasting Calendar, which is packed with a plethora of gourmet delights straight from the kitchens of London's most iconic department store. Think: confectionary, festive tipples, classic teas, biscuits, preserves, sweet treats, and coffee. So. Good.
Best Tea Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £70This premium tea advent calendar from Whittard contains aromatic blends would make a lovely Christmas gift for any dedicated tea-drinker. Inside you'll find a selection of 24 winter warmers, from classic brews to fruity concoctions and spice-led beverages that will make the countdown to Christmas day feel extra special. It's a lovely way to discover an array of different flavours with friends and family.
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Best Cheese Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £150The ultimate non-chocolate advent calendar for cheese lovers, Paxton & Whitfield's countdown follows on from last year's sell-out cheese advent. This year’s iteration contains a taste of some of the brand's latest cheese releases, as well as artisan cheeses and historic cheeses. Plus, there's a selection of new, exclusive flavours to discover, so if you sampled the calendar last year, you'll still have something exciting to discover.
Best Makeup Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £99, worth value £565The hotly anticipated LookFantastic advent calendar is back this year, and looks oh-so dreamy. Worth over £500 but retailing at under £100 (you can actually get it for £84 if you're subscribed to the LookFantastic beauty box), it contains full-size and travel-size versions of trending and cult products from the likes of Sol De Janeiro, Medik8, Elemis, ESPA and Origins. Add some sparkle this holiday season with this wonderful selection of beauty treats.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best Stationery Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £120Make it easy for your giftee to restock their stationery for the year ahead with this premium stationery calendar from Papier. Inside, they'll unwrap the brand's best-selling stationery staples, including two A7 notebooks, green washi tape, sticky notes, ink refills and paper clips.
Best Wine Advent Calendar
Release date: Available for pre-order now, dispatch in November.
Price: £89.95We can all agree that Christmas is the season of relaxation and enjoyment, so a tipple a day only makes sense. Virgin wines advent calendar is filled with 24 miniature variations of decadent wine, with unique grape varieties from Petit Verdot to Cabernet Franc, so you can cheers to the festivities all month long. The best part? Door 25 is filled with a full-sized bottle of wine so you can celebrate in style on the big day. All you wine aficionado's – run, don't walk.
Best Perfume Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £395Housed in a cheery toy chest-inspired design, this perfume advent calendar from Penhaligons comes with 26 fragrance treats – including some of the brand's most popular formulas. We know it's on the pricier side but you'll never have to worry about falling short on scent choices to suit every Christmas outing and it's a great way to discover your scent for the next season.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Selfridges discount codes.
Best Sock Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £32.50There's not much better than slipping on a pair of cosy, cute socks when it's cold outside. Enter: this sock advent calendar from Sparks and Daughters which contains 12 pairs of mood-boosting socks in unique, playful prints. One pair of socks can be personalised with your initials, and you can add a personalised message card to add inside.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Not On The High Street discount codes.
Best Coffee Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £44.99If their best friend is their coffee machine – and they can't kickstart the day without a super-strong cuppa – treat them to this 24-day coffee advent calendar. It contains a selection of freshly roasted coffee, with 18 new blends for 2023. You'll be able to sample coffee from around the world, including flavours from Guatemala, Kenya, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Consider your over-priced coffee subscription a thing of the past.
Best Whisky Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £199.95Christmas gifts for dads don't get much better than this. Whisky connoisseurs can discover a new whisky favourite from some of the best distilleries in Scotland with this celebratory advent calendar. Presented in the form of a wooden cabinet, it offer's a range of the very best of aged, old and rare Scotch whiskies across the Lowland, Speyside, Highland, Islands, Islay and Campbeltown regions.
Best Spices Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £99.99A spice-themed non-chocolate advent calendar, this Christmas countdown will equip you with everything you need to whip up your favourite Christmas meals. Behind each of the 24 doors, you'll find a variety of spices, including Mediterranean, Mexican and Italian flavours. It comes with a free cookbook so is a great option if you're keen to get experimenting in the kitchen this festive season.
Best Wellness Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £175The White Company is here to guide you through both periods of stress and periods of vibrance, as your “wellness parter fo life”. And for that, we adore them. This luxurious advent calendar is a dreamy introduction to the brand, containing a selection of the brands most loved products including festive scented candles, home sprays and beauty treats like lotions, hand-wash, shower gels and lip masks.
Best Beer Advent Calendar
Release date: November.
Price: 79.99Beer advent calendars are huge every year and this Christmas countdown contains 24 beers – from breweries around the world – to help you make your December a lot merrier. Expect ales, lagers, pilsners and stouts that will make the lead-up Christmas day full of boozy discoveries.
Best Wooden Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £130Customisable with your recipients' name, this wooden advent calendar can be re-used year after year. The sacks are available in countless different colours, from red to gold, and each sack has space for a treat of your choice. It's the perfect advent calendar for those who want to curate a selection of personalised, meaningful gifts for a loved one.
Best Luxury Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £250, worth value £1,173The ultimate treat for a devoted skincare fan, Harrods' luxury advent calendar is filled to the brim with a bounty of the most innovative beauty brands on the block, behind 24 doors. It's perfect if your giftee is looking to elevate their skincare regime but is not sure where to start as these beauty staples will introduce them to an array of cult and classic brands that are worth knowing. Think Dr Barbara Sturm, Elemis, 111SKIN, Acqua di Parma, Bobbi Brown and much much more.
Best Dog Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £110Not your typical advent calendar, but one we think is so necessary. Fortnum & Mason's dog advent calendar will help you treat the pets in your family to some holiday cheer. Designed within the iconic department store with dog lovers in mind, it's made from wood (so you can re-use it year-after-year) and can be filled with whatever treats you fancy. As for the illustrations? Spot a selection of different and adorable dog breeds alongside Fortnum's favourites.
Best Skincare Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £75Harnessing the power of natural ingredients, Liz Earle's products balance efficacy with botanicals. For firm fans of her bestselling Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser, this skincare advent calendar features 12 different Liz Earle miniatures and full size products to take your skincare routine to new levels.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
Best Giftable Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £46Nothing screams self-care more than an advent calendar filled with indulgent bathing and beauty treats. Ted Baker's iteration is a no-brainer for gifting and comes filled with an array of festive beauty surprises. It's perfect for those cold winter days when you want nothing more than a relaxing pamper session.
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Best Candle Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £49.99Containing a plethora of Yankee Candle favourites – from Amber and Sandalwood to Christmas Cookie and Sugar Spun Flurries – this wardrobe of tea lights and candle votives is sure to make this festive season your cosiest yet. Simply light a candle each day to scent your home with a warming blend to bring in Christmas.
Best Sex Toy Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £150Love Honey's sex toy advent calendar will take your self-care game to new heights. From mood-setting gifts and games, to toys for her, toys for him, and toys for both of you to enjoy, there's a plethora of options to help you explore alone or with a partner.
Best Spirits & Liqueurs Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £250Featuring 25 doors, F&M's spirits and liqueurs advent calendar contains tipples from British sprit producers. There are plenty of favourites from the brand this year, including Fortnum's Figgy Pudding Liqueur, Sir Nigel's Orange Marmalade Vodka and Sloe Gin – but it's the well-loved collaborations that make this such an exciting offering.
Best Popcorn Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £21If you tend to favour sweet over savoury, Joe & Seph's popcorn advent calendar is a good bet. Behind each door is a different kind of the brand's handmade gourmet popcorn that is gluten-free so you don't have to worry about anyone missing out. With banoffee pie, cinnamon roll, salted caramel and chocolate orange popcorn in store, you're surely in for a treat this festive period.
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Best Classic Tea Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £38Exclusive for 2023, Bird & Blend Tea's
Yves Saint LaurentExclusive for 2023, this year's Bird & Blend Tea's calendar is the perfect pick for anyone looking forward to a month of morning brews. The brand's hand blended teas are all in store, from fruit teas to herbal blends and unique takes, there's definitely here something for everyone to enjoy.
