11 Advent calendars with a difference
Forget the traditional advent calendars.
Gone are the days when an advent calendar was just a piece of card with some Christmas scenes hidden behind a door.
These days advent calendars are getting more and more unusual and we have picked some of the best around which you might want to splash out on this year. With these fantastic advent calendars you'll be wanting an early Christmas present!
For those who like a tipple...----------------------------------
These advent calendars are great for those who want to get in the Christmas spirit from the beginning of the month. Perfect for the gin, whiskey and rum lovers, each day has a different type of liqueur. While they are pretty pricey compared to your average advent calendar there is 3cl behind every door for you to enjoy in the run up to the big day.
Premium Whisky Advent Calendar £249.95 / Botanical Ginvent Calendar £124.95 / Rum Advent Calendar £149.95. Prices are correct at time of going to print and apply to purchases from www.Amazon.co.uk
For musical fun...----------------------
Fortnum and Mason have a fantastic range of wooden advent calendars this year including a musical one which plays a different tune when you open each door.
You can add your own presents to this calendar so it can be used for years to come, either buy a refill pack from Fortnum and Mason or fill it with your own goodies.
For the tea lover...------------------------
This year Fortnum and Mason also have the perfect advent calendar for lovers of Britain's favourite drink - tea. What better way to start your day by having a different type of tea?
These calendars are available to buy empty or full, check out www.fortnumandmason.com for more information.
For the chocolate lover...------------------------------
While the more 'traditional' chocolate advent calendars are still available, one that caught our eye this year was on available from La Maison Chocolat. This advent calendar is a fully 3D calendar that holds 24 chocolates in boxes placed in the tree.
What a delicious treat every day.
For the big kids...-----------------------
This year there are some fantastic Lego Star Wars and Minions advent calendars. What better way than to start the festive season with 24 Star Wars gifts and The Force?
Or if you're more of a minion fan then check out the Despicable Me advent calendar which has a minion gift to build each day.
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These are perfect for both the big and little kids and are available for www.asda.com and in store.
For the little kids...--------------------------
PLAYMOBIL have a longer-lasting alternative to chocolate in the shape of a surprise behind every door which toddlers can build to create a Christmas scene.
This year PLAYMOBIL have teamed up with London Fire Brigade to raise awareness of what children should do if there is a fire emergency.
For charity---------------
There are plenty of charities that you can give to this year, but this charity advent calendar caught our eye. The Advent House is £16.99 and can be filled with your own goodies year after year.
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Sold in Cancer Research UK shops and also online at www.cruk.org/shop. All profits go to Cancer Research UK.
For the pets----------------
Don't forget about the smaller members of the household, with dog and cat advent calendars available they won't be left out.
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Priced at just £4 each you can buy them online at www.spana.org/shop and these calendars donate 100% of the profits to SPANA, helping the charity to provide more free veterinary treatments to working animals in developing countries.