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The best Christmas advent calendars that aren’t chocolate

Count down to Christmas with these gorgeous advent calendars

In a world where chocolate advent calendars have long held the spotlight in the run-up to festive activities, non-edible varieties emerged, promising a daily dose of enchantment without the sugar rush.

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While many of us remember the joy of opening tiny cardboard doors filled with bite-sized treats as children, the adult advent calendar has evolved into a sophisticated countdown to Christmas.

If you’re struggling to find a gift for your loved ones, consider an advent calendar that reflects their interests. From luxurious scents to flavoursome beverages, today the options are as endless as they are delightful.

What is the purpose of an advent calendar?

A Christmas advent calendar serves as a countdown to Christmas, usually beginning on the first day of December, and ending on Christmas Eve. Each of the 24 doors or windows (or 12, depending on the calendar) reveals a small gift to be opened each day, building anticipation and excitement for Christmas festivities. The tradition started in Germany in the early 1800s and has since become popular worldwide.

The best adult advent calendars 2024

01

For the Love of Flavour Advent Calendar

$55.00 at T2

Add a whole lot of flavour to your festive season with this premium line-up of tea and treats. With 24 gifts in total, any tea lover will be thrilled with these boxes filled with delicious brews as they count down the days until Christmas.

What’s in the box:

  • 24 x Individually wrapped tea bags

02

Moving Lights Advent Calendar 2024

$110.00 at Sephora

The perfect gift for any skin-care and make-up guru, this gorgeous Sephora 24-day advent calendar is stacked full of must-haves (and one exclusive product).

03

LEGO City Advent Calendar 2024

$59.99 at Lego

Lego may be aimed at kids, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy this city-themed playset. Each day leading up to Christmas brings another festive character, seasonal mini-build or accessory to add to your every-growing Lego collection.

04

24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

$299.00 at Glasshouse Fragrances

Christmas will smell a whole lot sweeter with this advent calendar. With 24 mini versions of Glasshouse Fragrances‘ most sought-after products, this is a must-have for any fine fragrance lover.

What’s in the box:

  • Soy Candles
  • Eau de Parfums
  • Hand Creams
  • Body Lotions
  • Lip Balm
  • Interior Fragrance
  • Christmas ornament

05

Mestige 12-Day Life in Pink

$74.55 at The Iconic

Add some sparkle to Christmas with this Mestige charm bracelet. Each day a door will reveal a decadent charm, ready for you to create a gorgeous piece of jewellery.

What’s in the box:

  • One chain
  • 11 Charms

06

24-Day Gin Bauble Advent Calendar

$295.00 at Cocktail Collective

Decorations and gin? Yes, please! With 24 50ml NZ gin-filled baubles, this is a perfect gift for any lover of a beverage on a sunny December day. With new flavours, you may just find your new favourite in this advent calendar.

What’s in the box:

  • 24 gin-filled baubles

07

Vertuo Advent Calendar

$89.00 at Nespresso

For those who cannot function before their morning brew, give the gift of caffeine with some extra special coffee capsules from Nespresso’s Vertuo line. Featuring three new flavours (co-created with chef Jean Imbert) your loved one will be bouncing off the walls with these delicious delights.

What’s in the box:

  • 24 coffee capsules
  • One coffee accessory

08

Palm Beach Collection Deluxe Advent Calendar 2024

$190.34 at The Iconic

Filled with 12 of Palm Beach Collection’s favourite home and body treats, you’ll be smelling the sweet scents of the festive season. This is the advent calendar that really keeps on giving throughout the season.

What’s in the box:

  • Room mist
  • Body wash
  • Hand lotion
  • Eau de parfum
  • Candle
  • Scented disc
  • Fragrance diffuser
  • Perfume mist
  • Body lotion

10

Hot Sauce Advent Calendar

$54.33 (was $106.15) at Amazon

Ever watched Hot Ones on YouTube and thought you could fight through a selection of increasingly spicy wings? Us, too. This advent calendar comes with 20 unique flavoured hot sauces, from milk to mouthwatering, taking you on a journey through the world of chilli peppers.

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