14 Oct, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Sick of chocolate Advent calendars? These alternative picks are way more exciting
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Sick of chocolate Advent calendars? On the hunt for something different?
Alternative Advent calendars have become somewhat of a staple in recent years, with people ditching their chocolate-filled windows for something a bit more luxe.
From food to booze, socks to stationary, there’s so many more exciting things we can count down to Christmas Day with – so we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites.
Although to note, we’ve not included beauty advent calendars in this roundup as we’ve already covered some of the best here.
With top offerings from the likes of Grind coffee, Bohomoon jewellery and St Eval candles, there’s truly plenty to discover with this selection, best suited to whatever hobby, pastime or cravings you may have.
One we’ve already nabbed for ourselves is the St Eval Tealight Advent Calendar, yours for an affordable £50.
Decorated with a breathtaking scene of the North Cornish coast with all the magical sea creatures that reside there, this advent calendar features a selection of 24 gorgeously scented tealights to discover behind each door, as well as a gold-dusted tealight holder.
Love a tipple? NIO has always been a top cocktail contender for us, and their new Advent calendar has us craving the taste of negronis and margaritas over ice.
Worth over £155, the NIO advent calendar is filled with 24 delicious (and satisfyingly strong!) cocktails to enjoy each day leading up to Christmas, from core classics like the much-loved Old Fashioned to festive twists like the Christmas Margarita.
Ready to find your festive favourite? Explore our top alternative Advent calendar picks below.
Best alternative Advent calendars
St Eval Tealight Advent Calendar
This stunning St Eval Christmas Tealight Advent Calendar has totally captured my heart, and my very own is currently displayed and waiting patiently to be opened come December. Decorated with a breathtaking scene of the North Cornish coast with all the magical sea creatures that reside there, this advent calendar features a selection of 24 gorgeously scented tealights to discover behind each door, as well as a gold-dusted tealight holder.
NIO Cocktails Advent Calendar – 24 cocktail box
Worth over £155, the NIO advent calendar is the cocktail lover's dream, filled with 24 delicious (and satisfyingly strong!) cocktails to enjoy each day leading up to Christmas. From from core classics like the much-loved Old Fashioned to festive twists like the Christmas Margarita, there's so much to enjoy in this tempting collection.
Papier 24 Days of Desk Delights
The stationary lover will adore this 24 Days of Desk Delights Advent calendar from Papier, which has sold out fast on previous years. Even bigger and brighter than last year’s box, it’s filled with mini bestsellers and new stationery surprises to enjoy, and worth over £200, it's a real treat to behold.
Grind Advent Calendar
Count down to Christmas in style with Grind's tempting coffee advent calendar, featuring 12 days of different speciality single-origin coffees to enjoy, all grown sustainably, sourced ethically from small-scale farms, and expertly hand-roasted by us in London. Take your pick from bean or ground and enjoy a unique brew every day, from a vibrant Chinese coffee to a classic Brazilian to a sweet Guatemalan.
Bohomoon 2025 Advent Calendar
Treat yourself to some sparkly somethings with the Bohomoon 2025 Advent Calendar, packed to the brim with stunning pieces to brighten up your festive season over 12 days. Featuring four exclusive, unreleased items, each treasure in the calendar is selected to bring a little sparkle, making it a perfect treat for you or a loved one this Christmas!
SOCKSHOP 25 Pair Bamboo Christmas Advent Calendar
Socks have become an integral part of Christmas celebrations over the years, so why not really lock in with a sock Advent calendar from SOCKSHOP? In men and women's designs, this luxe Advent calendar gives 24 days of socks, boasting a mix of Christmas sock styles and colourful everyday designs to enjoy all year round, all made from a soft, breathable high quality bamboo blend for a cool, comfortable feel.
Cult Pens 2025 Stationery Advent Calendar Turquoise Edition
This Cult Pens Stationery Advent Calendar is full to the brim with stationary surprises set to upgrade your stationary game. Gorgeously presented in a Japanese Kintsugi-inspired box, you'll find an array of useful things which 'will make a mark, rub out a mark, store a mark-maker, decorate things you might have marked, or are happy to be marked.' What's not to love?
Drinks by the Dram Gin Advent Calendar (2025 Edition) 75cl
If you're a gin lover or know somebody who is, this Drinks by the Dram Gin Advent Calendar is set to be an unforgettable treat (despite how many gins you neck!). It's filled to the brim with 25 delicious 30ml gin samples from some of the best producers out there, ready to be enjoyed each day – even on Christmas day itself!
12 Days of Clay: Pott'd 2025 Advent Calendar
Looking for something a bit more hands on to get stuck into on the lead up to Christmas? The 12 Days of Clay: Pott'd Advent Calendar is an excellent choice. Over 12 days, you'll discover everything you need to create unique Christmas keepsakes and decorations out of clay. Quite simply adorable.
There’s really something for everyone with these alternative Advent calendars.
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
Write Reviews
Leave a Comment
No Comments & Reviews