Chiconomics
Advent calendars for everyone (yes, even your Nan), from just £9
Stop the search! We’ve found the best advent calendars to buy in 2022 and – spoiler alert – they’re AMAZING
Advent calendars are surely the best part of the pre-Christmas buzz, right? Whether you’re looking to buy one for a little child, or a defiantly big kid, there’s something undeniably giddy-inducing about finding the best Christmas calendar, and treating your loved ones (or yourself).
What are the best advent calendars of 2022? Are the most expensive advent calendars really worth the money? And is there one single calendar that will delight all tastes and types?
From the best beauty calendar to the chocolate-free one, the delish vegan one to the the tradish’ one or the bubbly one (for your baby and your Nan), we’ve got the answers. Let the Christmas calendar countdown commence…
Best advent calendar for kids (and big kids)
With a surprise toy hidden behind each door, this Lego Harry Potter family favourite includes seven minifigures (Harry, Sirius, Moaning Myrtle, Voldemort, Horace Slughorn, Nymphadora and Neville) plus a game to play once all the doors have been opened. A surefire way to make every morning feel a bit more magical for wizards, mini Muggles and grown ups alike.
From: 3 years+
Best chocolate advent calendar
Is it even Christmas if your teeth aren’t coated with chocolate by 8am? Sure, this one’s not for dentists – but it is ridiculously delicious nonetheless. Montezuma has hidden a tasty snowman (solid salted caramel or mandarin-flavoured milk) behind each door, which - of course - you can devour at whatever time you choose. Me? I’ll be eating it at 7.03pm. Sorry kids, mummy doesn’t share her Montezuma.
Best advent calendar for kids who love cars
If your baby/toddler/tween/other half is obsessed with toy cars, stop the search – this non-chocolate calendar is jammed with traffic’s finest! With 24 doors ready to reveal their favourite vehicles, from police cars to double-decker buses, plus speed signs, police officers and more, it’s the stuff of toy car-shaped dreams whether you're four, or forty-four.
From: 3 years+
Best advent calendar for grandparents and older souls
Do you know someone who loves Christmas but doesn’t care for all that fuss and nonsense in the run up? In shuffles Woodmansterne, art specialists and publishers of the most beautiful card calendars. One for traditionalists – whether it’s a gift for your gran, baby’s first Christmas or even yourself – there’s a special kind of magic that comes with nostalgia-laced card creations. That said, other grans may prefer a fizz-filled alternative calendar.
Best advent calendar for babies, toddlers, kids (and parents)
Attention grandparents, uncles, aunts and godparents! Bath-time toys make the best Christmas presents for kids – be it for a baby or a toddler-who–turns-tyrant at the very mention of (whisper) ‘a wash’. Playmobil toys make bath time a breeze when parents are 100% knackered, and this heroic calendar contains 24 of them! Yep, that’s right: 24 fun-filled pieces! Designed for frollicking, in and out of the water, all year round. The kids will love them. And so will their parents.
From: 18 months+
Best advent calendar gift for teachers
Whether you fancy winning the highly coveted ‘Teachers’ Most Popular Parent’ award (and let’s be honest, he/she has to have a favourite, right?) or you’ve been cajoled into being class rep and need something to keep that [grim-faced emoji] Whatsapp group happy, this is it. It’s a decadent advent calendar featuring iconic William Morris designs and filled with 24 luxury bath and vegan body treats, from bath fizzers to bubbles, from salts to shea butter hand creams! Start the class kitty now and you’ve basically won at Christmas.
Best for tweens and pre-teens
If your little darling is more ‘huff and harumpf’ than ‘happy holidays’ – welcome to the teenage years. Treat them to what they actually want in 2022, and claim the kudos of being a cool-ish parent/uncle/godmother, while you still can. Fans of Minecraft will delight in discovering a new gift every day, with Mob Head Minis to help them re-create their favourite in-game moments, IRL.
From: 6 years+
Best beauty advent calendar
Whether you’re looking for the best advent calendars for teenagers or a thoughtful gift idea for a December birthday, you can’t go wrong with John Lewis’ best beauty advent calendar of 2022. Brimming with makeup, skincare, fragrance and haircare hits from the world’s leading beauty experts, there’s a daily dose of festive-fuelled magic behind each and every door. Charlotte Tilbury! Neom! Augustinus Bader! Votary! Elemis! And so many more! On second thoughts, treat yourself. ’Tis the season for self-gifting, right?
Best for vegans and non-chocolate chompers
Chocolate is kryptonite to some, making Christmas feasting problematic, but the best non-chocolate advent calendars continue to come up trumps. This year it’s the turn of Joe & Seph’s corn-popping creation. Officially approved by the Vegan Society, it opens up like a giant Christmas storybook with 24 festive cubbyholes packed with popcorn in seven unique flavours. Undeniably delish.
Best bespoke reusable advent calendar
Inspired by a family stroll around a winter fayre, this pack of 24 fill-your-own advent boxes comes complete with jute twine, to hang them as Christmas tree decorations. Ideal for anyone who’s looking to shop more sustainably this Christmas, the paperboard advent boxes can be reused in 2023 and onwards.
The Top 100 – This autumn John Lewis has singled out 100 heroes that showcase how John Lewis products take a joyfully bold approach to enhancing all life’s moments.
