Advent calendars are usually seen as the domain of children during the festive season, but in recent years, a slew of adult-based options have been hitting the shelves. We’re with the marketeers — why should we let the kids have all the fun?! Here are a few of our favourites to brighten up your festive season.
Sandford Orchards Cider Advent Calendar
If you’re a cider lover, then the Sandford Orchard’s
advent calendar is definitely for you. Each of the 24 advent doors — well, top flaps, to be more accurate — conceals a full-sized bottle or can of Sandford Orchards’ Cider to get you into the festive spirit.
Alongside some traditional flavoured ciders, there are some fruity little numbers, too, including Fanny’s Bramble blackberry cider and Berry Lane raspberry cider. You’ll find all the well-known favourites from their award-winning range, and if you’re not familiar with them, this is a great way to try them all and pick your favourite. Go on, treat yourself — it’s Christmas, after all!
Ombar Vegan Advent Calendars
If you’re more of a chocolate lover, Ombar has a couple of options you might like to explore. Its advent calendars are full of mini chocolate bars, which are certified vegan, and dairy and gluten-free, which is a total win if you suffer from food allergies. They aren’t nut-free, but I suppose you can’t win them all!
While the chocolate might be free of dairy and gluten, they certainly aren’t free from flavour. The Oat M*lk Chocolate calendar has four different flavoured mini bars behind the doors, including fruit and nut and salted caramel truffle. As they are created using oat milk, the flavour is more closely aligned with milk chocolate, so if you’re not a fan of darker, deeper-flavoured chocolate, this is most certainly the choice for you.
If you are more of a dark chocolate fiend, the Ombar Super Chocolate Advent Calendar should be on your shopping list. Five different flavours are hidden behind the doors, with flavours such as raspberry and coconut, pistachio and coco mylk, which have between 55% and 60% cacao, making the flavours just a touch darker and more intense.
If you’re undecided about which calendar you’d prefer, why not go for the bundle deal, which includes not only both calendars but also a limited winter edition chocolate bar — spiced orange hazelnut truffle — which I can assure you, is rich and indulgent, and the perfect accompaniment to a cosy night in and a Christmas movie!
Both advent calendars are not only plant-based but are also plastic-free, fair trade and organic, and with 25 advent doors to open, you even get a fabulous festive treat to enjoy while the presents are being passed around.
Pud 12 Days of Christmas Vodka Liqueur Gift Box
If chocolate doesn’t float your boat, and you want something a little more punchy in your advent calendar, the Pud Christmas vodka liqueur 12 Days of Christmas gift box could be just what you’re looking for.
This festive spirits advent box contains 12 5cl miniatures of Pud’s most popular dessert-flavoured vodka liqueurs, with nostalgic Christmas flavours such as Christmas pudding, gingerbread and sticky toffee pudding. The gift box is beautifully presented, with a hand-drawn design and twelve traditional advent doors, so the only question is, do you open them on odd or even December days?
The spirits are made with a blend of premium vodka and Christmas pudding spices and are perfect for enjoying on their own, over ice, or in cocktails. Add them to a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and you’ve got chocolate-based comfort with a spicy Christmas kick to keep you warm on those cold winter nights.
If you’re looking for a stocking filler and love the idea of the Pud range, you’ll be very pleased to learn that you can create the perfect present. Choose either six 5cl or three 20cl bottles from the fabulously flavoured range to make up a miniature gift pack for the perfect tipple to finish off Christmas dinner.
Electronic Games Advent Calendar
If you want something a little different from your advent calendar this year, then the Electronic Games Advent Calendar is for you. Behind the 24 doors of the calendar, you’ll find the parts and a comprehensive instruction manual to build and play 24 different electronic games.
Ok, it’s not going to rival your Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, but it will frustrate and delight you in equal measure, as well as give you a bit of a blast from the past with titles like Whack a Mole and Simon Says in the line-up.
It’ll also save you from 24 more chocolates that you’ll need to walk off in the cold December weather.
It’s a nice distraction for a few hours, but beware if there are children or eat-anything animals around as there are lots of small components that can be easily swallowed.
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