What is Advent Calendars?

The most common advent calendars are chocolate-filled and available at grocery stores, drugstores, and just about anywhere you can imagine.

22:01 05 September 2023

The most common advent calendars are chocolate-filled and available at grocery stores, drugstores, and just about anywhere you can imagine. The trend has become a "megatrend," as Mintel explains, with retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue selling 18 types this year (up from six last year). And while the advent calendar may have sprung out of Christian roots, many manufacturers promote it to assist people with their countdown to Christmas in a way that is universally appealing.

Gerhard Lang is widely considered to be the producer of the first printed advent calendars in the early 1900s, but his idea came from a childhood calendar his enterprising mum attached to his wall. She used twenty-four colored pictures to mark the days until Christmas – a simple concept that would become the foundation of most modern advent calendars. Unfortunately, his company stalled in production due to cardboard rationing during World War I and then again afterward when the Nazis banned the calendars featuring pictures, instead replacing them with pamphlets containing images of swastikas and exploding tanks.

Today's advent calendars come in a range of designs, including nativity scenes and Bible stories that tell the story of God's people coming to Jesus. These calendars can help Christians keep their focus on Christ during the season, and they're often easy for parents to use as a context for spiritual discussion.

There are also more secular options for families to choose from, such as LEGO calendars and ones that reveal a new treat each day (like a piece of chocolate or a new nail polish shade). And of course there's the advent calendar of choice for the disposable income-laden adults: one for "beer, gin, whiskey, sex toys, jerky, and Revolution cosmetics," as Vanity Fair reports.

Why Buy Advent Calendars For Teenagers?

Teenagers may feel too old for the traditional chocolate-filled advent calendar or they might just think that it isn’t cool enough anymore. But with a huge variety of different options on the market, from beauty surprises to tween and teen friendly craft kits and even re-useable reusable bags that they can fill themselves, there is an advent calendar out there for every teen.

If your teen is into beauty products then this advent calendar from Glossybox is the one for them. Each day contains a little gift of skin and hair care from the brand including a few full-sized items.

Another great option for a beauty loving teen is this advent calendar from Lush. Behind each door is a face mask, hand cream or shower gel to help them look good for Christmas.

For a more grown-up version of an advent calendar, this Lego advent calendar will be sure to please your tween or teen. They can build and decorate their own little town in the style of The Royal Palace with a king, queen, princess and prince as well as a lion and unicorn. The set also includes lots of extra minifigures.

A throwback to their childhood, this advent calendar allows your tween or teen to get involved in some DIY fun. Each day they can make their own personalised ornament with this kit. Included are 24 burlap bags in three colours, numbered stickers and clips to hang them up. You can also add in 24 small gifts like cash or sweets to really treat your teen this Christmas. You can find the best advent calendars here: all-advent-calendar.co.uk

Top 5 Advent Calendars

Advent calendars are an annual tradition that counts down the days until Christmas. They usually contain chocolates or small gifts. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whether you're looking for a luxurious beauty calendar or one made from recycled matchboxes, there's something for everyone.

The tradition originated in the 19th century among German Lutherans. It was later adopted by other countries.

Lego star wars advent calendar

Get a new brick-built surprise behind every door in the run-up to Christmas with this cool Star Wars advent calendar. It includes 24 galactic gifts, including minifigures and buildable toys like Star Wars characters in holiday outfits. It also comes with a foldout playmat that features desert and ice planet scenes.

This advent calendar is perfect for kids ages 6 and up, and it contains 320 pieces. Each door opens to reveal a Lego minifigure, figure, or buildable vehicle, and it includes iconic Star Wars characters, like Emperor Palpatine and Princess Leia. It also features droids and other iconic vehicles, such as the Justifier and the Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter.

The Marvel Studios Avengers advent calendar is another great option for kids who love superheroes and super villains. It includes 24 doors that open to reveal mini figures, as well as buildable models such as a Quinjet and jetpack. It is the ultimate gift for kids who love to role-play and play with their favorite superheroes.

Opi advent calendar - The celebration

The holidays are a great time to indulge in a little pampering. Treat your loved ones to a deluxe beauty calendar, with this one featuring OPI's Holiday '21 collection of nail polishes and nail care products.

Unlike many advent calendars, which are filled with chocolate or candy, this one from National Geographic is filled with rocks and fossils for a truly educational experience. It's a great choice for kids and adults alike, as each door reveals a different science experiment or rock.

The Organic beauty advent calenedar bye NUOO

This beauty advent calendar is perfect for those who love a natural approach to beauty. It features a mix of full and travel sized products, and includes the likes of the Psychic Sisters mini face roller, Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance booster, By Terry Hydra-Pressed powder, and Revolution re-loaded palette Velvet Rose.

This calendar is the first from Paris-founded brand Sisley. Its reusable cabinet-like design is inspired by the bold textiles of co-founder Isabelle d’Ornano’s home. It also comes with a branded makeup bag and tote bag.

Known for its luxury, high-end beauty items, Liberty’s Beauty Box offers a selection of essentials from some of the world’s top brands. From beauty staples to luxe handbag essentials, this calendar is worth the splurge.

Invisibobble british royal advent calendar

Celebrate the most magical time of year with this British Royal inspired advent calendar from invisibobble. The perfect gift for any hair fanatic, this calendar contains a selection of their best-selling hair accessories. Including scrunchies, waver clips and original and slim elastics. It’s a fairly basic calendar arrangement, but each day behind a window you’ll find a new hair accessory to add to your collection.

Featuring 24 hair loving accessories, this British Royal themed advent calendar is full to the brim with treats that will leave your locks looking merry and bright. Each of the accessories have been designed with the brand’s signature patented technology to ensure that no marks are left in your hair, making it perfect for festive hairstyles. Featuring a variety of different sizes and styles, the advent calendar is sure to suit any hair preference. Each piece is crafted with high quality materials and has been finished in a shimmering gold tone.

Asos advent calendar: Face + Body

The 2022 ASOS Beauty Advent Calendar features 24 of the retailer’s skincare, haircare and makeup bestsellers behind each door. The bigger calendar aimed at women contains a mix of makeup and skincare, while the smaller men’s grooming version has just products for the skin.

The ASOS calendar has some of our favourite brands in it including Benefit, Bobbi Brown and Clinique. Behind each of the doors is a product for the face, hair or body including contouring brushes and a hair masque. There’s even a full size of MAC’s cult Velvet Teddy lipstick and a mini version of Charlotte Tilbury’s Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil in here.

It’s more expensive than Boots or M&S’ calendars but it’s packed full of top beauty products. It’s also been known to sell out quickly – within hours in some cases – so it might be worth getting in early to avoid disappointment.

Escape room advent calendar

An advent calendar without chocolate - 24 tricky thinking, word and picture games through Advent!

An EXIT game and 24-day-long adventure in one: Behind each door of the Advent calendar you will find a tiny 3D room, each of which contains an exciting puzzle. The solution to each of these riddles will bring you closer and closer to your escape. You can use clue cards to help you solve the riddles and find your way out. Completely card-based and 100% unplugged, this EXIT calendar comes with a decoding table, storybook, riddle cards, and a help book to ensure that you never get stuck on a puzzle.