Is it just ME?

Or are worthy advent calendars joy stealers?

Amid the endless onslaught of looking after others, it’s nice to get something just for you

ADVENT calendars for grown-ups have become a Christmas joy in recent years. From beauty products to chocolate, there’s no end of pleasurable treats lurking behind the doors.

But if someone bought me The Advent of Change calendar currently being sold in John Lewis, I’d feel as flat as a child who thought they were getting a bike and opened an encyclopaedia.

Costing £29.95, the calendar looks classy and expensive, but behind each door you will find... absolutely nothing. Instead of a miniature bottle of artisan gin there will be a message detailing the donation you have made towards a worthy cause.

Who could possibly object to that? Me, that’s who.

Before I start to look like the world’s worst person, let me say that I always think of the less fortunate at Christmas. One year (after a few Proseccos) I decided to walk down The Strand in London giving money to every homeless person I saw. And every January I choose a new charity to send a monthly direct debit to.

But when it comes to Christmas it’s still women who do the lion’s share of the work: they buy and wrap the gifts, decorate, organise the family get-togethers, shop and cook the food, and clean up afterwards.

And amid the endless onslaught of looking after other people, it’s nice to get a little something just for you. The charity advent calendar will make the person giving it as a gift feel great about themselves, but, trust me, the receiver will feel unappreciated.

If you’re gifting a calendar, then make sure there are 24 lovely treats behind each paper door — otherwise you might find yourself being shown a wooden one.