30 best non-chocolate advent calendars for 2022, housing everything from sex toys to candles and coffee pods
The world of non-chocolate advent calendars is a burgeoning one. Gone are the days when chocolate advent calendars were the only way to count down to Christmas. Christmas calendars are now filled with goodies from tea bags and coffee pods to Playmobil 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.
Scroll for our full edit of the best non-chocolate advent calendars of 2022.
1. Best makeup advent calendar
Release date: You can pre-order now, but it officially launches on October 1st.
Price: £95.
One of the most sought-after non-chocolate advent calendars among makeup and skincare junkies every year is the LookFantastic advent calendar, and this festive season is set to be no different. Worth over £500 but retailing at under £100 (you can actually get it for £80 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 Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, Elemis, ESPA and Phillip Kingsley. Light up your holiday season with the best beauty advent calendar there is.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these LookFantastic discount codes.
2. Best jewellery advent calendar
Release date: 13th October.
Price: £590, or you can get the 12 days of Christmas advent calendar for £290.
Influencer-adored jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu have announced the launch of their jewellery advent calendars for 2022 – one of the best gift ideas for jewellery lovers that there is. Following on from the success of their first-ever (and sell-out, may we add) advent calendar in 2021, the brand has launched two (!) limited edition Christmas countdowns for 2022. There's a 12 day calendar which retails at £290 (it's worth over £600 and contains hoops, huggies, studs and ear cuffs), and this full-size 24-day calendar, which retails at £590.
A very rare chance to pick up over £1,400 worth of Astrid & Miyu jewellery for under £600, it contains twenty three pieces of stacking jewellery, two of which are individually personalised and five of which are designed exclusively for the advent calendar. Plus, a £100 voucher behind one of the doors which can be redeemed in store or online.
3. Best food advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £200.
You'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 and coffee. So. Good.
4. Best skincare advent calendar
Release date: October 7.
Price: £250, worth over £1,200.
Unlike many of the advent calendars in this countdown, Harvey Nichols have gone far beyond the classic limit of 25 gifts. Instead, treating each recipient to 34 (!) skincare and beauty goodies from brands like Victoria Beckham-adored Augustinus Bader, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury and Sunday Riley. What's more, one in ten of these advent calendars includes a surprise £50 Harvey Nichols gift card, so you can treat yourself to a full-size or two of the products you've most adored trying. Genius.
5. Best sex toy advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £95.
For 2022, Lovehoney has released four different sexual wellness advent calendars, and this one is aimed at vulva owners. Packed with exciting sex toys, vibrators and sensory treats, it'll enable you (or her) to enjoy full-body stimulation throughout the month of December. The star of the show? The Womanizer Starlet 3, which is worth £69.99 on its own.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Lovehoney discount codes.
6. Best beer advent calendar
Release date: You can pre-order now for dispatch in early October.
Price: £59.95 for non-members; £54.95 for members.
A hugely popular beer advent calendar every year, BrewDog's Christmas countdown contains 24 craft beers – plus an exclusive glass – to help you make your December a lot merrier. Delivery is free.
7. Best non-chocolate advent calendar for teens
Release date: Available now.
Price: £47.
Make the countdown to Christmas that little bit more magical for your little one by giving the gift of a different charm every day of December. The perfect treat for a budding ballet dancer, it contains countless ballet-themed charms to add to a sparkly charm bracelet.
8. Best non-chocolate advent calendar for couples
Release date: Available now.
Price: £140.
Another one from Lovehoney in collaboration with Womanizer, this sex toy advent calendar serves up £370 worth of sexual wellness products for just £140. Experts at Lovehoney have designed the calendar to climax (no pin intended) on Christmas eve, starting with a beginner-friendly bullet vibrator on the first day, working up to a luxurious Womanizer Liberty clit vibrator toy – which retails at £89 alone – on the last. Packaging is recyclable, and sex toy users have been raving about the contents. Consider your self-care routine elevated.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Lovehoney discount codes.
9. Best non-chocolate advent calendar for him
Release date: Available now.
Price: £95.
Up next is a calendar full of sex toys for men (many of which will elevate your pleasure, too) – from a cock ring to a male masturbator and sex dice. Again, housed in recyclable packaging, it's a must-have.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Lovehoney discount codes.
10. Best advent calendar at Boots
Release date: Available now at Boots.
Price: £65.
Harnessing 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.
11. Best reusable advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £225.
If you're after a non-chocolate advent calendar you can fill with goodies of your choice (think: biscuits, sweets, candles or earrings), Fortnum & Mason's chic fabric calendar cannot be beaten. It depicts the iconic Piccadilly store, you'll be able to use it year after year, and there's space behind each of the doors to stow away a gift they'll love.
12. Best wine advent calendar
Release date:
Price:
Virgin Wines were the brains behind the first ever wine advent calendar in the UK, and they're taking that OG energy into their 2022 offerings. They've launched a white wine advent calendar, red wine advent calendar and this mixed wine advent calendar - packed full of 24 miniature bottles of award-winning wines from talented winemakers from across the globe. The best part? You'll find a full-sized bottle worth £19.99 behind the final door.
13. Best toy advent calendars
Release date: Available now.
Price: £21.99.
LEGO fans, rejoice: this Christmas, you can count down to the big day with a selection of mini builds, LEGO City Adventures TV series characters and LEGO accessories.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these John Lewis discount codes.
14. Best sock advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £65.
There'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.
15. Best candle advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £25.
Containing 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.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
16. Best wooden advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £130.
Customisable 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.
17. Best Harry Potter advent calendar
Release date:
Price:
A Harry Potter-themed non-chocolate advent calendar, this Christmas countdown will transport you directly to Hogwarts this December. It contains everything from a sleep mask to shower gels and bath fizzers in a range of delightful scents.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
18. Best popcorn advent calendar
Release date: Available now on John Lewis, while stocks last.
Price: £27.50.
Joe & Seph's gourmet popcorn advent calendar is a festive winner, guaranteed to elevate your December movie-time to new heights. Behind each of the 24 doors, you'll find a different pack of handmade popcorn – each in a variety of flavours, including milk chocolate popcorn bites on day 24.
19. Best 12 Days of Christmas advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £59.50.
Die-hard fans of Benefit's iconic Hoola Bronzer will adore the Sincerely Yours, Benefit non-chocolate advent calendar this Christmas. It contains 12 of Benefit's bestselling makeup products, from mascara to pore primers and eyeliners in deluxe sizes.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
20. Best whisky advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £149.95.
Whisky subscription service Pour & Sip has released a whisky advent calendar for 2022, allowing whisky connoisseurs to discover a new whisky favourite from a different location around the globe every day of December. Christmas gifts for dads don't get much better than this.
21. Best sweets advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £12.
The UK's leading vegan confectionary brand “for adults" – by Jamie Laing and Ed Williams – Candy Kittens, has gotten in the festive spirit already with their re-launched non-chocolate advent calendar. 10 years on from launching, they're still a cult favourite among millennials with thanks to their delicious line-up of stylised vegan sweets – and this advent calendar showcases the lot. Behind each door, you'll find an irresistible sweet treat to enjoy.
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22. Best grooming advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £40.
Kick off the Christmas countdown with daily grooming treats from Nivea's highly-anticipated (and surprisingly affordable) Nivea Men advent calendar. It has been made using 30% recycled materials and 100% plastic-free outer packaging, and contains 24 pampering treats in full, travel and deluxe sizes. Prepare for your man to smell good.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
23. Best dog advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £110.
Back to Fortnum & Mason now, this time for the turn of their adorable Dog Advent Calendar. 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.
24. Best crackling advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £20.
A great Grandad gift, gift for boyfriends or Christmas gift for dads from Santa, this pork crackling advent calendar – which is a whopping A3 in size (!) – contains 24 different bags of flavoured pork crackling. Vegetarians, look away now.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
25. Best coffee advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £20.
If their best friend is their coffee machine – and they can't kickstart the day without a super-strong cuppa – treat them to Costa Coffee's 24-capsule advent calendar. It contains 24 coffee pods which are compatible with Nespresso coffee machines, 12 of which are the brand's Mocha Italia Signature Blend Coffee Capsules and 12 of which are Single Origin Colombian Character Roast Coffee Capsules.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
26. Best wellness advent calendar
Release date: 3rd October, but you can sign up to the waitlist now.
Price: Worth £319 but on sale for £160.
ESPA 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 wellness advent calendar is a dreamy introduction to the brand, inspired by ESPA’s wonderous spas around the globe and containing a collection of products including shampoo, serum, moisturiser, body oil and lip masks.
27. Best non-chocolate advent calendar for mums
Release date: Available now.
Price: £55.
We're such a fan of Eleanor Bowmer's vibrant and mood-boosting tea towels, mugs and home accessories, so when news dropped that she has created a non-chocolate advent calendar in collaboration with Boots? We were over the moon. Inside, you'll find a selection of bath and body products (including scented candles, hand creams and lip balms) each decorated in bold illustrations from her Northwest England studio.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Boots discount codes.
28. Best personalised non-chocolate advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £19.95.
More of a Christmas decoration than an advent calendar, this personalised wooden advent can be used year after year and features a sparkly wooden star which you move along the Christmas tree line every day.
29. Best lingerie advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £65.
Totally unique, this non-chocolate advent calendar contains seven of Lovehoney's sexiest lingerie pieces for the ultimate seduction in December, from a sheer mesh bra to knickers and a matching eye mask.
Save when you shop for the best non-chocolate advent calendars with these Lovehoney discount codes.
30. Best cheese advent calendar
Release date: Available now.
Price: £150.
The 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, over half of the contents are new for 2022, so if you received the calendar in 2021, you'll still have something exciting to discover.
For more from our Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
