From tea and fizz to cosy treats and even jam – the advent calendars women really want this Christmas
A feel-good edit of the most delightful, cosy, and unexpected Christmas countdown treats
Hear that? That’s December jingling into view – and with it, the question I get asked the most at this time of year: what’s the best advent calendar for women? It's no surprise; after almost twenty years as a consumer journalist, my home resembles a testing lab, and that really ramps up once the festive season gets going. Friends and family know the score: pop round in November and you’re likely to leave with an armful of products I've talked you into testing.
Advent calendar offerings seem to get bigger and better every year. Whether you’re a foodie, a fitness fanatic, or a self-care devotee, there’s one with your name on it. Here in the office, our desks are buried under a pile of the best beauty advent calendars, and we're forming an orderly queue to volunteer for reviewing this year's most sought-after jewellery advent calendars.
This year's advent calendars for women have taken things to another level, featuring everything from soothing tea blends and artisanal chocolates to cosy socks and, yes, even jam and cheeky grown-up treats. Below, I’ve rounded up the most giftable, original, and covetable advent calendars you can buy right now. Whatever your preference – something luxurious, affordable, or a little out of the ordinary – these are the best advent calendars for women, each guaranteed to help make every day in December just that little bit more magical.
Advent calendars for women: quick links
- Amazon: Every kind of advent calendar from Lindt to Lego
- Anthropologie: Calendars filled with trinkets and whimsical treats
- Boots: Many half-price advent calendars on sale now
- Fortnum & Mason: A show-stopping selection of decadent calendars
- Marks and Spencer: Beauty and foodie advent calendar favourites
- Not On The High Street: Unique, indie, and handmade advent finds
- Selfridges: An impressive selection of luxe, premium advent calendars
Best overall
What's included: Add a touch of old-school magic to the Christmas countdown with this charming advent gramophone. It comes with 24 miniature discs of classic Christmas carols and three recordable ones for personalised messages. Designed by Barbara Behr with music by Thomas Schulte-Ebbert, and finished with elegant gold foil details, it’s a nostalgic keepsake to treasure.
What's special about it? Each day reveals a disc that plays a classic carol, plus three blank ones so you can record your own messages - a lovely way to make the season more personal.
What's included: A beautifully designed kit with everything you need to create your own embroidered Advent calendar. It includes 100% cotton fabric with a pre-printed festive design, quality threads, a needle, and illustrated step-by-step instructions. Stitch one new motif each day - 24 in total - leading up to Christmas to reveal a charming handmade keepsake.
What's special about it? A chance to slow down and enjoy a daily mindful moment. Perfect for beginners, it marries the joy of crafting with the excitement of the season.
What's included: This delicious advent selection features 23 mini jars (30g each) filled with an impressive assortment of Bonne Maman’s signature conserves, fruit spreads, and indulgent caramels. It also includes a limited-edition etched glass jar of utterly scrumptious Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, created especially for the season, plus three money-off vouchers.
What's special about it? Tiny cute jars of delicious jam, need we say more? Plus, the last date for guaranteed delivery by 1st December is Thursday 27th November.
Boozy Advent Calendars
What’s included? This calendar contains 24 full-size cans of beer in a variety of styles, from pale ales and IPAs to crisp lagers, sourced from both established breweries and exciting newcomers worldwide. This year’s selection even features beers never included before.
What's special about it? As someone married to a craft beer enthusiast who runs his own brewery, I know beer calendars can be hit or miss. This one genuinely excites the taste buds with inventive flavours, including a Peach Melba Sour and a Strawberry Sundae-style beer. It’s a festive countdown full of fun surprises.
What’s included? This calendar offers 23 mini bottles (187ml) of red, rosé, and white wines, carefully selected for variety and quality. It also includes a full-sized Prosecco (worth £12.99) to enjoy on Christmas Eve and a bonus festive gift tucked away in the roof for an extra seasonal treat.
What's special about it? Beyond the expert curation, the festive presentation adds a playful touch, making it a joy to open each day. There are also some surprises within the selection, making it a delightful countdown to Christmas for wine lovers.
What’s included? This calendar contains 24 mini bottles (5cl) of craft gin from renowned distilleries around the world, including Edinburgh Gin, Salcombe, and Whitley Neill, so you can expect a varied and high-quality tasting experience.
What’s special about it? The standout feature is the beautifully hand-drawn street design, which makes the calendar as visually appealing as it is enjoyable. Each bottle is a miniature celebration of craft gin. A daily sip of festive cheer and discovery for gin enthusiasts.
Cosy season calendars
What’s included? This calendar contains 24 hand‑blended teas, a crafting pattern, and a free gift, so you can enjoy a daily dose of both flavour and creativity in December.
What's special about it? Perfect for sharing, each day comes with two tea bags - that’s 48 cups in total - making it ideal for enjoying with someone special. The 100% plastic-free packaging is a standout, and every calendar sold contributes to reforestation, with a tree planted in its name. It’s a thoughtful, eco-conscious way to celebrate the season.
What’s included? Choose the Pro edition with 21 single-origin coffees and 3 signature blends, or the Ultimate edition, featuring rare gems like Jamaican Blue Mountain Grade 1.
What's special about it? Each sachet works with cafetière, V60, Chemex, Aeropress, or espresso machines, with an optional drip-bag format for quick brewing. A versatile and indulgent daily treat for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate fresh, high-quality coffee and love discovering new blends.
What’s included? Twelve pull-out drawers each contain four individually wrapped teas and herbal infusions from Newby, the brand usually found in top hotels and restaurants worldwide.
What's special about it? This luxurious, eco-conscious calendar combines classic favourites like English Breakfast and Earl Grey with more exotic options such as Rooibos Orange, Jade Oolong, and Jasmine Princess. Each tea comes in fully biodegradable Silken Pyramid bags made from corn starch, kept fresh in 100% home-compostable sachets.
Self-care calendars
What’s included? This indulgent calendar features 24 cult-favourite L’Occitane products worth £276.50, spanning skincare and fragrance. It also includes a 15ml version of my personal favourite, L'Occitane Relaxing Pillow Mist (£22.50), perfect for a calming bedtime ritual.
What's special about it? Our beauty team highlighted it as one of this year’s best advent calendars, ideal for fans of rich, luxuriously scented lotions and oils. Whether you’re investing in your daily skincare routine or treating yourself to a winter indulgence, this is a thoughtful, beautifully curated countdown that combines pampering and elegance with a classy L’Occitane touch.
What’s included? Twelve silver-plated pieces, including bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings, all presented in a festive vegan leather jewellery box. Two of the bracelets can be personalised for an extra-special touch.
What’s special about it? Perfect for gifting or treating yourself, the mix-and-match pieces enable you to build a versatile, stylish new jewellery collection. The personalisation options make it feel truly bespoke, while the festive presentation is a lovely extra touch. A charming, elegant way to add a little extra sparkle throughout December.
What’s included? Twelve full-size organic skincare products, including cleansers, oils, serums, scrubs, a candle, and more, all infused with nourishing Scottish seaweed for radiant, healthy-looking skin.
What’s special about it? We chose this calendar for its natural formulas and festive focus on self-care. Perfect for organic skincare enthusiasts or those who love ocean-inspired wellness, it's a lovely way to weave a daily self-care ritual into December while nourishing your skin.
Chocolate Advent Calendars
What’s included? 25 handmade gourmet chocolates crafted in Melt’s London kitchen, featuring flavours like Gingerbread Caramel, Speculoos Praline, and Cinnamon & Oat Cup, all beautifully packaged in a Notting Hill–inspired design.
What's special about it? A truly luxurious countdown for chocolate connoisseurs and lovers of London, we chose this for its beautiful and luxurious presentation and rich festive flavours.
What’s included? 24 chocolates (choose from Lindt Lindor, Kinder, Mars Miniatures, Milka Favourites, or Toblerone) presented in a sturdy advent calendar sleeve that you can personalise for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas countdown.
What's special about it? We love the playful, creative design and inclusion of high-quality chocolates. This calendar brings both festive joy and a lovely personal touch to the season.
What’s included? A fully customisable advent calendar ready to be filled with your choice of Lindt chocolates from their legendary Pick & Mix selection, to create a truly personalised treat for any Lindor lover - especially if they have a favourite flavour!
What's special about it? Chosen for its customisation and because we love those indulgent Lindt flavours, this makes a playful, thoughtful gift that’s as unique as the person receiving it.
Foodie Advent Calendars
What’s included? 28 full-size organic Italian food and drink products, including olive oil, cured meats, pasta, sauces, Pecorino, wines, grape juice, and sweet treats - all delivered direct from a Tuscan farm!
What’s special about it? Did we mention it's packed with full-size organic treats from an Italian farm?
What’s included? A tartan-print advent calendar filled with Walkers’ classic pure butter shortbread fingers, mini rounds, and mini chocolate chip shortbread - one delicious bite per day.
What’s special about it? We chose this for its timeless Scottish charm - it's an affordable option with a daily treat behind each door that's sure to make your morning cuppa that little bit sweeter.
What’s included? 24 artisan hot sauces, spice blends, oils, and fiery condiments, each freshly made and packed with bold global flavours to warm up even the coldest days in December.
What’s special about it? Chosen for its limited-edition status and gourmet quality, we think this is a standout advent for foodies who love flavour, heat, and something just a little bit different.
Fun but practical
What’s included? A mix of running essentials and snacks for recovery and hydration, plus Soft Stepper socks (split across two days) and a bonus Day 25 gift — lightweight recycled running gloves.
What’s special about it? What a brilliant idea – we chose this for its practical, fitness-focused surprises and the fact that it's the perfect advent calendar pick for runners who want to stay motivated, fuelled, and comfy through the festive season and beyond.
What’s included? 24 full-sized home and lifestyle products, each designed to brighten your day or make life easier, with a total value of over £170.
What’s special about it? A fun, feel-good advent calendar for women who see their home as their castle and like discovering clever household finds but love down-to-earth practicality too. Great value and lots of variety.
What’s included? 12 pairs of festive Seasalt socks — a mix of colourful trainer and cosy ankle styles made from soft bamboo-derived viscose or organic cotton. Fits women’s shoe size 4–7.
What’s special about it? Chosen for its comfort, quality, and cheerful designs — a thoughtful, practical treat that adds a little warmth and colour to mornings in December.
Something different
What’s included? 25 compostable envelopes filled with all-new seed varieties for 2025, packaged in a reusable eco cotton bag.
What's special about it? Sustainable design, fresh seed selection, and zero-waste ethos – this is a creative, eco-conscious advent calendar for newbie gardeners and the green-fingered alike. You can add a personal gift message at checkout.
What’s included? 12 best-selling adult toys and sensual accessories designed to enhance sensory play and help deepen your connection.
What's special about it? A bold, unconventional way for couples to connect and share memorable daily moments together. Each day’s reveal encourages connection and rediscovery, so it's a playful way for couples to grow closer every day as they countdown to Christmas.
What’s included? A festive advent calendar for dogs filled with natural baked biscuits – there's peanut butter and banana 'Breaktime Biscuits' and calming chamomile and passion flower 'Bedtime Biscuits.'
What’s special about it? Chosen for its wholesome ingredients and eco-friendly credentials, this is a charming, tail-wagging countdown that's the perfect advent calendar for women whose pooch is a priority.
