We all know Christmas isn’t just about chocolate and treats…ok, it mostly isn’t about chocolate and treats, so we’ve researched the best advent calendars without the sugary stuff. Check out our edit for ideas that’ll have the kids just as excited, but hurry…where is November going!?
wooden activity advent calendar
Create Gift Love
This unique wooden activity advent calendar provides a wonderful countdown to Christmas. Each day is marked with a number and the reverse provides suggestions for activities such as ‘watch a Christmas film’ or ‘make some mince pies’. You can even ask Create Gift Love to customise your choices if there’s a tradition you’d like to ensure takes place every December. I think I’d have to include ‘Read ‘Twas the night before Christmas” on Christmas Eve. Made from ethically sourced walnut wood in the UK, it’s something to treasure for years to come.
ELF ON THE SHELF
ELF ON THE SHELF UK ADOPTION CENTRE
Not strictly an advent calendar, but we love the theatre of hiding this little guy in a different place each day of December for little ones to find. They’ll love the imaginative places you find to hide him in, and they’ll have to get more and more imaginative as the month goes on! Each Elf comes with a rhyming book, explaining that the Elf acts as Santa’s eyes and ears, so they better be nice…not naughty!
ADVENT CALENDAR DISPLAY BOX
ALL THINGS BRIGHTON BEAUTIFUL
Oh the fun you’ll have finding treasures to fill these little pigeon holes…mini toys, secret notes, accessories and games will add to the excitement in the run up to the 25th. If you have something too bulky to fit in, include a map for a treasure hunt around the house to retrieve that day’s surprise!
countdown to christmas advent calendar
illustries
‘Countdown to Christmas’ from Illustries pairs fun things to do together each day with a beautifully designed display calendar.
From baking gingerbread men to making decorations, carolling to colouring and even building a snowman (even if there’s no snow!), there’s plenty to keep little hands busy during the advent period.
keepsake personalised baby’s first christmas advent calendar
max made me do it
Record special moments in the run up to your baby’s first Christmas with this beautiful, vintage style keepsake calendar by Max Made Me Do It. Each day includes a space for you to jot down anecdotes about baby or perhaps festive activities attended as a family. It can even be personalised with your family’s or baby’s name.
nutcracker advent charm bracelet
little baby company
A gorgeous jewellery box style calendar decorated with a pop-up Nutcracker theatre scene. Each compartment holds a mix of 23 different charms with metal clasps and a bracelet to attach them all to. For girls who don’t want to match, this calendar is available in two styles, one with silver tone and enamel charms or gold tone and acrylic charms.
balloon advent calendar and activity kit
cat’s print shop
I know we said no chocolate, but it is Christmas after all…introducing the balloon advent calendar by Cat’s Print Shop. The advent kit comes with 24 balloons, a chocolate for each day, plus two activity and joke sheets to cut up and roll into each balloon. If chocolate for breakfast really isn’t your thing, try glitter shapes, confetti, stickers or mini Lego figures.
