Christmas - it's the most wonderful time of the year.
With only a few weeks left until the big day, it's time to start thinking about essentials for the festivities.
Advent calendars are a fun way to countdown to Christmas day, but tree-shaped milk chocolates are a little outdated.
It's 2019 and there are plenty of alternative options out there to choose from.
Whether you're an adult who loves sampling an assortment of alcoholic tipples (gin, wine or craft beer), a make up junkie who enjoys trying all the latest premium beauty products and wellness treats - there's an advent for everyone.
If you're buying for younger kids, there are toy filled advent calendars and nowadays, there are even advent calendars that your pets can enjoy.
We've selected the top alternative advent calendars for you to enjoy this Christmas.
Best alternative advent calenders
Drinks
1. Wine Advent Calender
Have a very merry Christmas with the ideal advent calendar for wine lovers!
Behind each of the 24 mini doors of this calender are dinky-sized 187ml bottles of assorted wines. Whether you marvel in Merlot or you're contented with a Chardonnay - there's something for everyone to 'wine' down with in this calendar.
Available from 23rd September 2019
Price: £69.99, First 4 Hampers - buy here
2. Gin Time Advent Clock
Let the fun beGIN.
If gin is more your favourite tipple, this gin wheel in the shape of a clock is the perfect advent calendar for you!
The clock isn't just there for show, it works with the help of a couple of batteries. Once you're done you can either refill the bottles and continue to use it, or the clock will make a great addition as a fun kitchen ornament - until next year, of course.
Price: £79.99, Amazon - buy here now
Beauty
3. LUSH Advent Calendar
It's the day we've all been waiting for! No, a five day weekend/ two day working week hasn't been approved (just yet) but LUSH have launched an epic advent calendar, beauty enthusiasts will not want to miss out on!
Enjoy 25 days of luxury with this advent calender packed with beauty essentials like body lotions and scrubs, lipsticks, massage bars and so many more lush goodies.
Let's be honest, the price tag is hefty - but when you consider the brands natural ethos, how much you're getting and how long you'll be able to use them for; it suddenly doesn't seem so bad.
Price: £195, LUSH - buy here now
4. Glossybox Advent Calender
Beauty subscription service Glossybox is back with another advent calender to rival some of the big beauty brands.
They're being very secretive about the contents of this years box, so if you've got to be in it to know about it, although we love an element of surprise.
If last years box is anything to go by - you can expect luxury goods from big brands like NARS, NIP + FAB, as well as little touches like miniature yankee candles.
Subscribers can pre-order from Friday 6th September. It officially launches to the public on Friday 27th Septmember.
Price: Subscribers - £70 | Non - subscribers - £80, Amazon - buy here
Kids
5. Hatchimals Colleggtibles Advent Calender
We're not quite sure what they are or what they do - but kids love hatchimals and it would seem Christmas has come early for those who own this calendar.
Now your little one can enjoy over 50 treats behind 24 little doors in the lead up to Christmas, each day will bring something new.
Exclusive characters and accessories are just a couple of treats to name - the rest is a festive mystery.
Price: £14.99, Squizzas - buy here now
6. Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Advent Calender
Have your children been naughty or nice this year? We guess they'll just have to find out with this popular game-turned advent calendar.
This is one the whole family can enjoy, behind each of the 24 doors is a pack containing intensely flavoured sweets - whether they're nice or not is completely down to luck. Canned dog food anyone?
The sweets are suitable for vegetarians and kosher certified.
Price: £13.19, Amazon - buy here now
Lifestyle
7. Vegan Personalised Advent Calenda
If you live a vegan lifestyle, it may be difficult to find inclusive brands - vegans love chocolate too right?
This personalised advent calendar will make a wonderful addition to any home this festive season. Choose your name and how many people it' for (1 or 2 person available).
Behind each drawer is a vegan chocolate treat - it's 'free' from a lot of things, so many they're too long to list. So we'll just let you know the ingredients are completely organic and delicious!
Price: £65, Yumbles - buy here now
8. 12 Days of Wellness Advent Calendar
If health and wellness are where your head is at this festive season, why not treat yourself to some organic essential oils?
Enjoy 12 days on wellness and beyond with this advent calendar from Saje; featuring body oils, oils for your diffuser and for your bath.
Christmas can be a stressful time but it doesn't have to be, especially not with a new drawer full of calming oils!
Available from 2nd November 2019
Price: £91, Saje - buy here
For everyone
9. Whittard The Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar for Two
If you want to keep things a little bit traditional, this is for you. Now the weather is getting colder, ensure you keep warm and snug on the lead up to Christmas day, with this fantastic advent calendar full of luxury hot chocolates.
The hot chocolates are presented in a truly beautiful box (could easily be a jewellery holder after) and behind each little box are two premium hot chocolates for you and a love one to share. If you want to share with someone that is.
Choose from sublime flavours including sticky toffee pudding hot chocolate and peanut butter.
Is there a better way to get ready for Christmas than with a nice mug of hot chocolate every evening? We'll wait...
Price: £45, Whittard - buy here now
10. Gourmet Marshmallow Advent Calendar
Enjoy something a little different for Christmas this year, toast your way to Christmas day with this gourmet marshmallow calendar.
Behind each door is a handmade and delicious marshmallow square, in a range of flavours including salted caramel, butterscotch and gingerbread (yum).
On the reverse of each door, you’ll find out which flavour you’ll be tucking into, as well as a festive joke, fun fact or exclusive online discount code.
The largest door is day 25, where you'll be in for a real treat - a Belgian milk chocolate spoon behind the door can be melted into a delicious hot drink, there's also a vanilla marshmallow behind this door to enjoy with your hot cocoa.
Price: From: £8.75, Naked marshmallow - buy here now
Miscellaneous
11. Personalised Spotify Musical Advent Calendar
Music lovers rejoice!
This brilliant advent calender can be personalised with whichever name you'd like displayed and the rest is all handled via smartphone.
Behind each door is a Christmas song, you play the song by scanning the code behind the doors.
On Christmas day it will create a mash-up consisting of all of the songs you've listened to over the past 24 days - then on the big day you have your very own Christmas playlist!
Price: £17.50, Find Me a Gift - buy here now
12. Pet Treat Advent Calendar
You didn't think we'd leave the pets out did you? Never!
Now your furry friend can enjoy the festive fun along with the whole family, with their very own treat advent calendar.
You can manually select whether it's for your cat or dog and the treats will be tailored to the appropriate animal.
You can reuse the boxes and red twine that holds it all together, so every year your pet can countdown to the big day with a few treats.
Price: £35, Not on The High Street - buy here now
