Feast your eyes on these exciting and diverse non chocolate advent calendars that are sure to have you smiling in the countdown to Christmas.
Tired of gorging on Cadbury chocolate squares every December morning? Okay, the answer is of course no, we love Cadbury. But then there are days when we wish we could swap our best chocolate advent calendars (opens in new tab) for something that's a little more of, well, a surprise.
Luckily, we're not the only ones that feel this way. In recent years more and more non chocolate advent calendars have sprung up for sale. And, much to our delight, the array of fillers on offer is getting better and better with each festive season. From the best beauty advent calendars (opens in new tab) to the best advent calendars with food (opens in new tab) and even the best alcohol advent calendars (opens in new tab) and best craft advent calendars (opens in new tab), there's something for everyone behind those little paper doors.
Best non-chocolate advent calendars
Feelunique Beauty Advent Calendar - FEELUNIQUE | £89.25 (opens in new tab) James Bond Advent Calendar - SELFRIDGES | £199 (opens in new tab) 24 Days Of Positivity Advent Calendar - NOTHS | £15.95 (opens in new tab) Yankee Candle Advent Calendar - YANKEE CANDLE | £24.99 (opens in new tab) Harry Potter Pop! Funko Advent Calendar 2021 - SELFRIDGES | £45 (opens in new tab) Paperchase Stationery Advent Calendar 2021 - PAPERCHASE | £40 (opens in new tab) LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2021 - ARGOS | £25 (opens in new tab) Back to the Future Playmobil Advent Calendar - AMAZON | £18.74 (opens in new tab) Freixenet 12-Day Sparkling Wine Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar - QVC | £60 (opens in new tab) Best Sex Of Your Life Couple's Sex Toy Advent Calendar - LOVEHONEY | £120 (opens in new tab) Macmillan 24 Beauty Treasures Advent Calendar 2021 -BOOTS | £42.50 (opens in new tab) BrewDog Craft Beer Advent Calendar 2021 - AMAZON | £44.95 (opens in new tab) Jo Malone Loves Advent Calendar 2021 - JO LOVES | £325 (opens in new tab)
1. Feelunique Beauty Advent Calendar
Worth over £385.20, the Feelunique 2021 Beauty Advent Calendar contains all sorts of thrilling beauty treats. With products from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Huda Beauty, Nars, and Elemis hidden within the 25-day countdown - this one is sure to delight beauty lovers. Even more excitingly, they claim it's their best one yet - so don't delay in ordering yours. Like many of the best beauty advent calendars, they
VIEW AT FEELUNIQUE | £119 (opens in new tab)
2. James Bond Advent Calendar
What's this? The first-ever James Bond Advent Calendar? Yes, please! Bring a touch of luxe to your home with this 12-drawer delight that boasts a money-can't-buy Casino Royale prop, plus other collectible and unique exclusives - Dr. No silk pocket square, anyone? - that have earned a spot in the franchise's 25 film history. Register your interest now for pre-sale mid-September. Be quick about it as numbers are limited.
VIEW AT SELFRIDGES | £199 (opens in new tab)
3. LookFantastic Advent Calendar 2021
The LookFantastic Advent Calendar for 2021 is a bargain you will not want to miss. The £85 countdown has a generous 25 doors and is jam-packed with a staggering £414 worth of beauty products. Yep, you read that right. This one has sold out for six years in a row, so we recommend snapping it up now if you fancy getting your hands on it.
VIEW AT LOOK FANTASTIC | £80 (opens in new tab)
4. Yankee Candle Advent Calendar
The one we've all been waiting for! This 24-day advent calendar contains one votive candle and 24 tea-light style candles in a range of festive fragrances. Includes: Candlelit Cabin, Christmas Magic, Evergreen Mist, Snowflake Cookie, Cinnamon Stick and Red Apple Wreath.
VIEW AT YANKEE CANDLE | £24.99 (opens in new tab)
5. 24 Days Of Positivity Advent Calendar
This motivational advent calendar has positive quotes behind each window, to help keep you feeling happy and positive throughout the festive season. Themes include gratitude, motivation, knowledge, kindness, and wellness.
VIEW AT NOTHS | £15.95 (opens in new tab)
6. The Body Shop Share the Joy Advent Calendar 2021
The Body Shop's advent offering leaves skincare and beauty lovers impressed year after year. The high street favourite's super festive cardboard calendars are jam-packed with fantastic products from so many of their iconic ranges. Three sizes are on offer with a variety of price ranges, offering different amounts of pre-Christmas treats.
VIEW AT THE BODY SHOP | £55 (opens in new tab)
7. A Mindful Advent Calendar Set
Fans of mindfulness and pared-down aesthetics needn’t miss out on the joys of advent. This set of 25 beeswax candles are designed to be burned every day in the lead up to Christmas as a reminder to pause and slow down. Sounds good to us!
VIEW AT NOTHS | £24.50 (opens in new tab)
8. The Urban Botanist Plant Advent Calendar
Know someone who's just potty about plants? Or are you susceptible to a succulent? Then this Plant Advent Calendar is calling your name! Each door holds an adorable potted plant - Christmas cactus anyone? - that's guaranteed to last 24 days and far into 2022.
VIEW AT SELFRIDGES | £194.95 (opens in new tab)
9. Playmobile Back to the Future Advent Calendar
Age suitability: 5+
The perfect starter for Christmas! This Back to the Future Advent Calendar is ideal for fans of the film franchise, aged five and over. It comes with over 99 different pieces to make December a month to remember, building up to an incredible scene from one of the most famous films - ever!
VIEW AT AMAZON | £18.74 (opens in new tab)
10. Funko Pop! Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2021
Following their previous sell-out versions, Funko Pop! is back with another Harry Potter advent calendar that's sure to be a hit with kids. Behind every door is a miniature version of one of your favourite witches, wizards, or magical creatures. Pre-order now to avoid disappointment!
'These are expensive calendars but they're lots of fun for little Potterheads,' says our consumer editor. 'The figures are cute and durable and the perfect non chocolate treat for budding collectors.'
VIEW AT SELFRIDGES | £45 (opens in new tab)
11. Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar 2021
It's back and even better for 2021 - The Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar, giving you 24 fabulous skin goodies to open this December. With big brand names like Elemis, Neal's Yard and L'Occitane, it's no wonder that it's worth a whopping £260. But of course - being the home of online bargains - you can pick this up for just over £50 in their early Black Friday 2021 (opens in new tab) sale. Plus receive it the next day thanks to speedy Prime delivery.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £52 (opens in new tab)
12. Virgin Wines Advent Calendar
It's back and better than ever before. And if you don't want to be disappointed. reserve yours for £10 right now. Available in mixed, red or white, the advent calendars includes 24 mini world-class wines for you to enjoy up to the big day. And for 2021 the Virgin Wines advent calendar comes with a full-size, gold medal-winning bottle of fizz for Christmas Day, too! The calendar's official on-sale date is 2 November but be quick, it often sells out!
VIEW AT VIRGIN WINES | £89.99 (opens in new tab)
13. Whittard Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for Two
With this advent calendar there's no need to fight with your partner over who gets the treat of the day as it's designed for two! There are 12 unique flavours to enjoy from classics like Luxury White and more adventurous flavours like Sticky Toffee Pudding and Peanut Butter. The art deco design will bring a touch of class to whichever room you display it in. A must for any hot chocolate lover.
VIEW AT WHITTARD | £60.00 (opens in new tab)
14. Paperchase Stationery Advent Calendar
Stationary coveters need look no further than this bumper Paperchase calendar - packed full of all the pen, pencils and writing accessories you need for the new year ahead. The 2021 advent features a sweet-shop design - so expect candy coloured pens and brightly patterned notebooks. They've also hidden some special gold pens in a number of calendars which equal a £100 gift voucher to spend in store!
VIEW AT PAPERCHASE | £40 (opens in new tab)
16. LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2021
From one huge franchise to another. The force can be with your Star Wars superfan this Christmas thanks to this clever LEGO calendar. Inspired by Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2, this 335 piece set has some familiar figures, vehicles, and weapons to build and enjoy. Our stand-out piece? The festive baby Yoda, of course! 'You can't do better than a Lego advent calendar,' says our consumer editor, whose three children have already put in requests for theirs. 'They're classic, collectible and kids never tire of them - every year there's a little something inside that we haven't seen before or weren't expecting.'
VIEW AT ARGOS | £25 (opens in new tab)
17. Benefit The MORE The Merrier Advent Calendar 2021
One of the best non chocolate advent calendars for 2021 - get your hands on some of Benefit's bestselling beauty wonders for under £60. Worth a whopping £132.46, this 12 piece set features fun-size and miniature offerings of their coveted brow and mascaras products, plus gorgeous pore primers and face powders too.
VIEW AT BENEFIT | £58.50 (opens in new tab)
18. GlossyBox Advent Calendar 2021
Feel gorgeous this Christmas with a little help from Glossybox and their bumper beauty calendar for 2021. Behind the beautifully presented pink and white marble front are 25 doors with beauty offerings worth £465. That's not bad for a box that's just £85 for subscribers or £105 for non-members. They're keeping their lips sealed on this year's products - but if it's anything like last year's - you can expect big brand names like Pixi, bareMinerals, HUDA beauty, and Nails INC.
VIEW AT GLOSSY BOX | £105 (opens in new tab)
19. Gibsons Merry Mischief Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar 2021
This advent calendar from puzzle makers Gibsons is the perfect little treat to inspire your creative side. Behind ten of the doors are 80-piece jigsaws, which are sweetly shaped like a snowman, a tree, a Christmas bauble... you get the idea! Two more doors contain some puzzle glue and ribbon to help jazz up your jigsaws and turn them into festive decorations.
Our consumer editor is a big fan of this non-chocolate advent calendar. 'In the run-up to Christmas, kids can get overwhelmed,' she says. 'Choosing a crafty advent calendar that encourages them to indulge their arty side can be a lovely way to mindfully mark the days leading up to Christmas.'
VIEW AT SELFRIDGES | £28 (opens in new tab)
20. Jo Loves Advent Calendar 2021
The Queen of Scents, Ms. Jo Malone has well and truly outdone herself with this year's Jo Loves advent calendar. Think candles, lotions, room sprays, and of course fragrances both big and on-the-go in heavenly aromas like Patchouli and Pomelo. Plus Christmas specials like the Mulled Wine candle and the Snowflakes room spray. On sale from 7 October both online and at the flagship London store, it'll set you back £325. But, boy, is it worth it!
VIEW AT JO LOVES | £325 (opens in new tab)
21. CIATE London Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar 2021
There'll be no excuse for lacklustre nails this Christmas with this jam-packed nail polish advent calendar from CIATÉ London. It features Featuring22 mini Plant Pots, 1 full-size Plant Pot, and a deluxe mini Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer. The only trouble with this calendar will be choosing which shade to wear on the 25th!
VIEW AT CIATÉ LONDON | £41.30 (opens in new tab)
22. Cath Kidston Beauty Shine Bright 2021
While the disappearance of Cath Kidston stores from UK high streets has been an incredibly sad loss, we're pleased that the British brand's adorable advent calendars are still available to buy online. This year, they're making sure December has an abundance of vegan-friendly beauty treats like lip balms, hand creams, bath salts, and festive fragrances, all tied up in a box decorated with a gorgeous woodland animal Christmas party scene.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £28 (opens in new tab)
23. Macmillan 24 Beauty Treasures Advent Calendar 2021
A beauty calendar which gives back to a very charitable cause? This one's a no-brainer! Not only is it loaded with some of your Boots based favourites - No7, Soap and Glory, Liz Earle and Champneys - but it also ensures £2 from each sale goes back to Macmillan Cancer Support.
VIEW AT BOOTS | £42.50 (opens in new tab)
24. Clarins 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar
This beauty advent is a best-seller at John Lewis this year. And for a good reason. The beloved beauty brand's calendar features 12 coveted Clarins products - including their Supra Volume Mascara, Cleansing Micellar Water and Intense Natural Lip Perfector. And it's currently available with 20% off during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday (opens in new tab) weekend.
VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £52 (opens in new tab)
25. LoveHoney Best Sex Of Your Life Couple's Sex Toy Advent Calendar
If you're looking for a non-chocolate advent calendar with a difference then this one just might take the crown. LoveHoney has compiled some of their bestselling toys to help guarantee a very merry - and pleasurable - Christmas. Designed as an advent for two (man and woman), behind each door are toys for both sexes, plus massage oil, lube, and sex position cards to really spice things up. Worth over £270, it's a steal at £120 and is available to order right now.