December is an exciting month for lots of children, not just because Christmas falls and the (very, very small) chance of snow, but because many get a piece of chocolate every single morning for 25 days straight. The chocolate might be a bit on the stale side and the tiny piece never fully satisfies, but advent calendars are still a fantastic excuse to eat chocolate before 9AM.
Get to your 20s (maybe 30s for some) and all of a sudden, December isn’t anywhere near as fun. The only way you’re getting an advent calendar is if you buy it yourself but if you’re buying it for yourself, you might as well treat yourself to 25 days of something more exciting than chocolate right? Cue, the adult advent calendars.
From beauty or candles to gin or craft beer, here are some of the best adult advent calendars that will make you wonder why you ever settled for just Dairy Milk.
007 James Bond Advent Calendar
This is one for all the 007 fans out there. The James Bond Advent Calendar has magnetic doors and ribbon closure and it features 12 drawers.
Inside, there are a number of James Bond related treats, including a Casino Royale prop chip, gold bullet prop replica, ‘the agent’ 007 socks, Dr. No silk pocket square and Bond playing cards.
Smith & Sinclair Naughty or Nice Countdown Calendar
The Smith & Sinclair Naughty or Nice Countdown Calendar is a little different to the others on this list.
There are plenty of alcohol related calendars, but this one has 24 alcohol gummies rather than different bottles of gin or wine. Each Alcoholic Cocktail Gummy holds a subtle kick at 5 per cent ABV. Eat responsibly now.
Nivea Men Advent Calendar
The Nivea Men Advent Calendar gives you the gift of grooming every day for 24 days in December.
There’s shower gels, antiperspirant, lip balms and cremes, as well as an exfoliating scrub and face wash to keep you fresh for the countdown to Crimbo.
MAC Box of Tricks Advent Calendar
One for the MAC makeup lovers out there - or partners who love it - this Box of Tricks Advent Calendar is packed full of some of the company’s best products, worth over £340.
From various eyeshadows and lipsticks to MAC’s Strobe Cream and Cleanse Off Oil, it will verify you have some new faves to ask for the big versions of for Christmas.
Mankind Advent Calendar
The Mankind Advent Calendar features 25 essential grooming and male-beauty products, with brands including Dr Brandt, Grüum Gösta and Molton Brown.
We won’t spoil the surprise completely, but expect to find a Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Body Wash, Dr Brandt MicroDermabrasion Age-Defying Exfoliator and Daimon Barber Texture Clay inside.
The Ritual of Advent 2D 2021 Advent Calendar
The Ritual of Advent 2D 2021 Advent Calendar is designed to resemble a classic canal house in Amsterdam and there are 24 little surprises.
Inside, you’ll find four mini candles, a mini diffuser and some of Ritual’s most loved products, worth £120.
Beavertown Advent Calendar
The Beavertown Advent Calendar is cleverly split into five mini boxes for your fridge so you get cold beer, whilst keeping the element of surprise.
There are 24 beers in total, with 15 different ones, some of which you’ll know and some of which are new. There’s also a free festive glass.- what more could you want.
Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar
This calendar doesn’t involve eating or drinking anything from its special drawers, but it does offer a combination of 24 products and samples from well-known beauty brands including Elemis, Neal’s Yard, and Nip&Fab and This Works.
The products span hair care, make-up, nail care and skin care and the contents within the calendar are said to be worth nearly £260.
Liberty Advent Calendar
Liberty London offers two luxurious advent calenders - one for men worth over £620 and one for women worth over £840.
The men’s calendar has 25 products in total, including a Liberty Pocket Square, Liberty Sloe Gin and NEOM Organics Perfect Night’s Sleep Travel Candle. There’s also a £15 gift voucher and plenty of other mini treats.
Friends Nespresso-Compatible Capsule Advent Calendar
If you’re a Friends fan and a coffee fan, the Friends Nespresso-Compatible Capsule Advent Calendar will be right up your street.
You can wake up the Central Perk way for 24 days on the trot, with a range of different flavours from Choco Cherry to Creme Brûlée.
