20 must-have advent calendars for the whole family

Christmas is coming so you don't have long to get an Advent calendar (or three, who's counting?) sorted for 1 December. And from beauty-filled ones to personalised styles that your little one can use for years to come, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Have a browse and get inspired by the ones we love – there's something for every budget and age.

1) Reindeer Balloon Advent Calendar, £20, bubblegumballoons.co.uk

Guaranteed to delight guests young and old this December, this is a must-have decoration for your home. It’s a balloon calendar: the little ones just pop a chocolate-filled balloon each day as they countdown to Christmas! Available in reindeers or Christmas trees.

2) The Advent Calendar – White Chocolate, £12.50, Hotel Chocolat

Get ready for Christmas with Hotel Chocolat's gorgeously luxurious white chocolate advent calendar this year.

Packed with white chocolate character sculptures. You'll find mini Santas, snowmen, angels, Christmas trees and reindeers along the way.

This calendar is also available in supermilk, dark and caramel chocolate.

3) Milk Chocolate Cheeky Elf Advent Calendar, £6, Thorntons

Kick off your countdown to Christmas with Thornton's Cheeky Elf Advent calendar. For just £6, this calendar is packed with 24 mini milk chocolate faces and a milk chocolate plaque that you can personalise with a name.

4) 24 Days of Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar, £18, Debenhams

Debenhams' 24 Days of Hot Chocolate calendar is the perfect excuse to taste all the variations of hot chocolate out there. From White Hazelnut and Vanilla to original hot chocolate, find your favourite in the lead up to Christmas.

6) After Eight Big Ben Advent Calendar, £10, Tesco

After Eight's Big Ben Advent calendar from Tesco is filled with delicious dark, milk, and white mint chocolates, waiting behind the doors in the Big Ben tower. The perfect start to Christmas if you're a lover of Nestlé's After Eight mints.

5) Lindt And Sprungli Advent Calendar, £5, Tesco

If your favourite chocolate is the luxurious Lindt, then the Lindt and Sprungli Advent calendar is the one for you. Count down to Christmas and open a door a day and find your milk chocolate golden reindeer, milk chocolate Santas, Swiss milk chocolate napolitains and Lindor chocolate truffles.

7) Fever Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar, £60, Waitrose

Whether you're a gin enthusiast or wanting to try something different from chocolate, Fever Tree's Gin & Tonic Advent calendar is the perfect gift. Discover your new favourite G&T with Fever Tree's Advent calendar. It's packed with four of their tonics and your favourite gin brands including Hendricks, Portobello Road, Bombay Saphire and many more.

8) Godiva Advent Calendar, £20, John Lewis

The Godiva Advent calendar is filled with luxurious Belgian chocolates. Whether you pick a milk chocolate carré or a chocolate Sujet in hazelnut praline, you'll discover your new favourite chocolate this year.

9) Dream Big This Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar, £45, The Body Shop

Christmas is the time to treat yourself or a friend this year with The Body Shop's Dream Big This Christmas calendar. Including 24 of their favourite bath and body products for you to try while you count down the days. It even includes some from their special edition ranges.

10) Playmobil Christmas on The Farm Advent Calendar, £19.99, A mazo n

If you want something a little longer-lasting than choc treats, try this kit. With tiny figures of farmyard animals, this calendar tells a charming story of Christmas in the countryside.

11) LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar, £24.99, A mazon

LEGO is not just for Christmas, it’s for life. Add to their collection with this new advent calendar that has all the main characters plus a few bonus surprises.

12) Wooden Pyramid Fill Yourself Calendar, £24.01, A mazon

Made to last and the perfect gift from grandparents, we love this traditional and rather rustic wooden calendar. Fill the boxes with small gifts and you can re-use it year after year.

13) Wax Lyrical Advent Calendar, £23.99, Wax Lyrical

Instead of counting down the days with chocolate, open up your advent calendar door to a festive fragrance. Wax Lyrical's Advent calendar is filled with 24 fragranced tealights smelling of their Festive Friends fragrances; Merry & Bright, Frosty Night and Festive Joy.

14) Christmas Advent Calendar House, £16, Jojo Maman Bebe

The Christmas Advent Calendar House from Jojo Maman Bebe is a lovely addition to your house this Christmas. Whether you fill the little boxes with your favourite chocolates or a small toy for your little ones, your children will feel the delight of Christmas every morning.

15) Tea Advent Calendar, £36, Bird and Blend Tea

The Tea Advent calendar by Bird and Blend Tea is packed with their new Christmas tea blends as well as some traditional favourites, all selected by their tea mixologists. New to this year, there's also an option for you to pick the teas you really want this Christmas!

16) Sleigh Ride Advent for your Dog, £4.99, Dogs Trust Gifts

Why should your family pooch miss out on a little Christmas countdown fun? There’s a canine treat behind every window.

17) LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2019 Christmas Decorations Set, Buildable Tree Ornaments, £22.97, Amazon

With this LEGO Friends calendar, on each day of advent, your youngster can build a new Lego toy that they can show their friends or even hang on the Christmas tree!

18) Mega Bloks Despicable Me Minions Advent Calendar, £22.95, Amazon

If your kids are fans of Despicable Me, then this is the advent calendar for them. The Mega Bloks Despicable Me Minions Advent Calendar is filled with Minion characters for them to build, with interchangeable parts including their goggles, arms and feet. They can even dress their Minions in different holiday outfits!

19) Cadbury Heroes Advent Calendar, £4.99, Cadbury Gifts Direct

How could we miss Cadbury's off of the list? If your favourite chocolate is Cadbury's, you're bound to love waking up every morning knowing you have a Hero waiting for you. Filled with all the Heroes miniatures, you'll no longer feel the chore of waking up in the morning in the lead up to Christmas!

20) Ferrero Collection Advent Calendar, £12, Tesco

This is the Advent calendar for those who aren't fussed about any other chocolate when Ferrero Rocher's are in the picture. Count down to Christmas with your favourite collection of chocolates that you don't have to share with anyone!

Have you spotted your potential advent calendar for this year? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!

Looking to share your Christmas list? Join thousands of mums-to-be and start your very own Amazon baby wishlist!

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