December is officially here and – thanks to advent calendars – the first of the month has always marked the beginning of holiday cheer.
Once upon a time the daily joy of opening up that secret door and finding a hidden surprise inside was only known to those with a sweet tooth.
But now there are advent calendar out there to satisfy all kinds of tastes, whether it be for make up, tea, or something a little stronger to last through Christmas.
From wine and gin to nail polish and grooming sets, FEMAIL has rounded up 10 advent calendars for every person in your life – don’t worry, you’ve still got time.
1. THE WINE LOVER
The Wine Gallery, a start-up based in Sydney, has released its Christmas Advent Calendar for that ‘little kid living inside the grown-up Australian wine lover’
We all know what to sing when the famous Christmas carol begins: ‘On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…’.
But what if instead of a partridge and a pear tree, it was a crisp white wine or a bottle of bubbly?
The Wine Gallery, a start-up based in Sydney, has done just that with its Christmas Advent Calendar for that ‘little kid living inside the grown-up Australian wine lover’.
The AUD $285 calendar comes with 12 full-sized bottles of wine – each priced at $23 – as well as Christmas recipes, wine pairings, tasting notes, and a few surprise gifts.
Included in the package are three each of sparkling, white, and rose wine, and four red wines.
2. THE GIN ENTHUSIAST
The very first Gin Advent Calendar has touched down in Australia, hoping to ease the stress of the holidays with a daily G&T courtesy of 24 little bottles of goodness
First they gave us chocolate, then they gave us wine, and now it’s time for something a little stronger.
The very first Gin Advent Calendar has touched down in Australia, hoping to ease the stress of the holidays with a daily G&T with the help of 24 little bottles of goodness.
Gintonica’s $295 Australian Gin Advent Calendar comes complete with 24 50ml craft gins provided by 21 distillers from five states across the nation.
Also included are cocktail instructions from Phillip Jones, better known as the ‘Martini Whisperer’, tasting notes and suggestions from the distillers, and a surprise Christmas gift as well.
3. THE TEA DEVOTEE
This $66 Etsy tea advent calendar, sold by WeAreKVCreative , includes 24 different tea satchets – the flavour a surprise until each unmarked bag is opened
For those who’d rather their advent calendar doesn’t come with a hangover, tea is a great way to help friends and family perk up throughout December.
This $66 Etsy creation, sold by WeAreKVCreative, includes 24 different tea sachets – the flavour a surprise until each unmarked bag is opened.
Each day’s sachet has enough tea to brew two to three cups, so that you can keep sipping throughout the day.
The box also comes with a metal ball tea strainer, a guide to the teas, tasting notes, and brewing instructions.
Also included are mini pegs and coloured twine so that the calendar can be beautifully hung up in a kitchen and put on display.
There are a range of unique flavours included, from Cherry Medley Rooibos and Lemon Gunpowder to Gingerbread Chai and Genmaicha Popcorn Tea.
Classic flavours also make an appearance, including Peppermint, Breakfast Blend, and Earl Grey.
4. THE BEARDED BOYFRIEND
Say goodbye to those scratchy beards with the $53 Christmas Beard Oil Advent Calendar from The Bearded Man Company, including 24 beard oils
When it comes to treating your man, why not get something that will make both him and his kisses feel good?
Say goodbye to those scratchy beards with a Christmas Beard Oil Advent Calendar from The Bearded Man Company.
This $53 gift comes packed with 24 miniature beard oils to keep your man smelling great and feeling smooth.
The Bearded Man oils are also made with natural ingredients, including nut and wheat oils to naturally soften beard hairs.
It also helps moisturise the beard, helping it grow without tangles or pesky itching.
The Christmas Beard Oil Advent Calendar is made up of the company’s most popular scents, including Bay Rum, Sandalwood, and Oak Barrel.
5. THE KINKY PARTNER
The $200 Lovehoney sex toy advent calendar includes everything from sex toys to bondage gear and cheeky items like some very kinky play cards
Sometimes the holidays can be a buzzkill, but that surely won’t be the case with the Lovehoney sex toy advent calendar.
There’s fun for everyone in this $200 calendar, which is packed with all kinds of props to add a little oomph to the bedroom.
The calendar, boldly dubbed the ‘Best Sex of Your Life’, has been carefully sequenced to build up the tension as the days go on in December.
It all builds up to what Lovehoney promises to be an early present with a ‘mind-blowing finale on Christmas Eve’.
Items include various sex toys, bondage gear like handcuffs, and cheeky items including some very kinky play cards – and even some lingerie.
6. THE BEAUTY ADDICT
The Body Shop ‘s mammoth $200 Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar is filled with everything from body scrubs and hand creams to nail treatments, body polish, and gold glitter dust
What do you get for the beauty fan who seems to have it all? Well, why not a bit of everything!
That’s the concept behind The Body Shop’s mammoth $200 Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar.
Filled with everything from body care and skin treatments to cosmetics and accessories, this calendar throws in everything but the make up counter.
Products include the Body Shop’s beloved shower gels and butters, as well as gold glitter dust to get you in the holiday spirit and even a Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask.
There are body scrubs, hand creams, nail treatments, makeup remover, body polish, plus a couple of surprises.
The Body Shop also wanted to give the calendar a playful spin. On Day 25 the calendar transforms into a trivia quiz the entire family can play on Christmas.
7. THE MAKE-UP MAVEN
The $199 Beauty Advent Calendar is jam-packed with 26 natural products worth $500, and includes 14 full-sized products
Many make up advent calendars are miniature, only coming with 12 days of fun.
But the $199 Beauty Advent Calendar is jam-packed with 26 natural products, perfect for that friend, relative, or partner who is crazy about cosmetics.
This gorgeous calendar- packed with $500 worth of make up – even includes 14 full-sized products.
Every brand included is Australian and 100 per cent cruelty free, including the likes of O&M Original & Mineral, Rohr Remedy, Edible Beauty, Aspar and Simple as That.
The Beauty Advent Calendar has every beauty treat covered from serums to soaks, face masks to eye shadow, and even a skin sparkling sponge.
Also included is a keepsake box, as well as a special surprise on Day 25 that the company promises will remind you of ‘Christmas at the beach’.
8. THE NAIL ARTIST
The $86 Ciate London Mini Mani Month calendar comes complete with 19 mini paint pots in various shades and colours
We all have that one friend who can do her own nails better than a manicurist, so why not nurture her talent?
You can do just that with the Ciate London Mini Mani Month calendar, which is being sold for $86 at MECCA.
The cult British beauty brand is offering 19 mini paint pots, ensuring a holiday manicure never gets dull.
Also included in the calendar is a full-size paint pot, a magical nail topper, a nail treatment, and an extra surprise gift.
And with colours in shades of electric blue, shimmering silver, royal plum, and the darkest of blacks – there’s sure to be something for everyone.
9. THE PINT-SIZED FASHIONISTA
This adorable $50 charm bracelet advent calendar, which slowly builds through December, is perfect for the little fashionista in your life
We promised a gift for everyone, and that includes the youngsters in your life.
And this adorable $50 charm bracelet advent calendar is a creative way to keep the holidays fun for the little ones.
Day one begins with a charm bracelet, and then each day after reveals a new Christmas-themed charm that can be added.
The calendar, created by Little Advent Boxes, is shaped like a music box that can later be used as a jewellery box once the holidays have passed.
10. THE KID (AND KID AT HEART)
Now both parents and kids can have fun with LEGOs thanks to special advent calendars that range in price from $40 to $150
There are few toys that evoke joy in both children and adults quite like LEGOs can.
And now both parents and kids can have fun with the beloved building blocks thanks to the Danish company’s special LEGO advent calendars.
Available in a variety of themes,and prices, there’s a calendar suited for every home.
Sets range from $40 to $150 and include a massive kingdom as well as a number of Star Wars scenes.
Each door opens to reveal a new piece to help build a castle, battleship, or bustling holiday scene.
The calendars contain hundreds of pieces with various characters and props to help children – and their enthusiastic parents – create new stories and places.