I’ve always wanted a decorative reusable Advent calendar. Something which looks epic on a fireplace and takes centre stage amongst your Christmas decorations. But I think my little one is still a bit too young.
As such, I’m on the hunt for an affordable but special chocolate-free advent calendar for each of us this year. Something to add a little cheer to each day, after the rubbish last few years we’ve all had.
December in our house is also a manic and stressful month, due to our jobs. Therefore any small touch we can add at the end of a busy day, to alleviate some stress is welcome.
A treat a day for a whole month definitely fits in with my new self-care regime.
It was lovely to light a different scented tea light each day throughout December. We love candles in our house. They add to the magic of this season and give my mental health a little, much-needed lift.
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Check out my list of quirky but affordable calendars
For the Toddler in your life
My little one loves her cars and would have so much fun playing with any of the below items.
I don’t want the little one eating chocolate every day in December and therefore it has to be something creative or fun.
Any parent will know, this also means we can’t have chocolate. Because all toddlers seek out and steal your food. Hehe!
For the lady in your life
Wilko 24 Days of Gin Advent Calendar
Perfect for gin lovers, this set includes 12 flavour mixers, two edible pearls, 6 glass rim sugars, and 4 cocktail shimmers. Just add the gin and make the perfect cocktail.
Candle advent calendars
I’ve purchased a Yankee candle advent calendar before and it was lovely to light a different scented tea light each day throughout December. We love candles in our house. They add to the magic of this season and give my mental health a little, much-needed lift.
Make up advent calendar
Who doesn’t love a make-up calendar? I talk all about the Boots No7 calendar in my recent Christmas gift guide. Here are some of the best alternatives I’ve found.
Tea advent calendar
I’ve ordered the Clipper advent calendar and I can’t wait to open it.
For the man in your life
My hubby is a coffee lover and therefore any of these would be the perfect fit. Given the opportunity, he would always want chocolate, but I am sticking to my guns on chocolate-free advent calendars for 2021.
Cheese advent calendar
Who doesn’t love a bit of cheese? Especially in the run-up to Christmas when the cheese board is on the menu.
Pringles advent calendar
How amazing. You can have your favourite snack in an advent calendar. I love the sound of this one.
Alcohol advent calendar
For the man in your life. Get in the festive spirit with a little tipple each day.
Self-care advent calendars for men
A great before Christmas treat, for those much-needed self-care moments.
Menkind advent calendars
Menkind has a range of fantastic calendars. Including these self-care beard oil and a male grooming one.
Final thoughts
I hope this list of chocolate-free advent calendars has provided some inspiration for a calendar for you or a loved one.
Let me know which advent calendars you will be buying this year.
I wish I’d known about the Lynx advent calendar, I would have bought that for my boyfriend! I do love a simple chocolate calendar but it’s nice to get creative!
The Lynx one is great, we’ve ordered one.
The little one already has a chocolate calendar, so I wanted to do something different for her this year.
I love how creative alternative advent calendars are becoming each year. I have my eye on the coffee one for my hubby, never seen one like that before. My best friend would love the Pringles one. Lovely list! 🙂 Xx
There are so many different ones this year. Never seen the Pringles one until now. Amazing!
I do love a chocolate-free advent calendar alternative. Last year, I treated myself to a gin advent calendar, and I still reuse the little bottles, as they come in useful when making homemade gin. 😁
I love the idea of a candle advent calendar as a different scent; each day sounds amazing! My mum is a big advocate for the tea advent calendars, as it is a nice treat in the morning.
I’m not sure what advent calendar I will have this year, but you have certainly provided many ideas! 😊 Thank you.
I love this list – some of my favourite advents is for candles and for teas! I find they last so much longer than the chocolate ones and I enjoy them long past the holidays! Thanks for sharing this awesome list – love the self-care advents for men – I hadn’t heard of those before.
The Gin-mas calendar looks like something I would enjoy! Such a lovely variety of calendars x
Love your picks – the gin one is an easy win in my house. I’ve got a Yankee Candle one this year and I’m getting my husband a beer one!
Rosie
This is a perfect time to mention calendars! Thanks for giving us some great choices.
The tea advent calendar looks awesome. Thank you for sharing.
This is definitely an interesting list of beautiful and useful calendars for everyone. Thank you for sharing!
These all look great. I love that there is such a variety these days. I’ve got one from Flame Game Candle Company this year and it smells amazing.