Christmas countdown conundrum

IT’S December 1 tomorrow, and many of us will be reaching for the first door of our advent calendars.

Around 16 million are bought every year in the UK and in recent times they have gone from just holding traditional chocolate to luxurious beauty, boozy and wacky ones now on offer.

But if you think you have left it too late to get one, we’ve got you covered no matter your budget.

Here, we reveal our pick of the best that are still available to buy…

CHOCOLATE

1 Best of Thorntons Advent Calendar, Boots, £12

This is choc full of 24 days’ worth of sweet treats.

Count down to Christmas with favourites including the brand’s Continental, Classic and Pearls ranges.

2 Up to Snow Good Children’s Advent Calendar, Hotel Chocolat, £8.50 Featuring a cute penguin design, children and adults alike will be delighted by this luxury chocolate calendar.

It includes 24 milk chocolate penguins, Santas and snowmen, including an oversized one for Christmas Eve.

3 M&S A Bar a Day Advent Calendar, £6, M&S and Ocado

Instead of a tiny mouthful of choc have a whole bar. Every day you can unwrap milk, dark, or white ones, while Christmas Day saves the best for last with a slab of fruit and nut topped with milk chocolate.

4 Beer Advent Calendar, John Lewis, £59.50

Opening the doors of this John Lewis offering will ensure that you’ll have a very Hoppy Christmas indeed.

Behind each of the 24 windows is a 330ml bottle of beer.

BOOZE

5 J.P. Chenet Wine Advent Calendar, Amazon, £70.80

Wine down to Christmas Day with a boozy calendar – this one includes 24 wines which are a mix of red, white and rose. Probably one that’s better to open in the evenings.

6 Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar, Waitrose, £60

Gin-gle bells! There’s no better way to get yourself into the Christmas spirit with this fabulous selection. The calendar includes 12 perfectly paired gin & tonics from classic to fruity to floral.

UNUSUAL

7 Ilchester Cheese Advent Calendar, Sainsbury’s, £9.50

Have yourself a Merry Cheesemas with this calendar if you are a fan of savoury snacks.

This includes 24 bites of dairy goodness, including double Gloucester, red Leicester and Cheddar with onion and sage.

8 Her Flavour Chilli Advent Calendar, Amazon, £9.99

Spice up your Christmas! Not one for wimps, it contains 24 bottles of hot sauce, from extremely spicy Scorpion to fruity habanero.

Get it on Amazon Prime delivery to turn the heat up in time for December 1.

9 Tealight Advent Calendar, John Lewis, £25

This is a beautifully decorated calendar, packed with 24 different miniature candles.

A mix of classic festive scents, it’ll help get your house Christmas-ready.

10 Classic Beauty Advent Calendar, L’Occitane, £55

The French beauty brand has pulled out all the stops for its offering this year.

Treat yourself to 24 days of pampering with travel-size versions of their best-selling products including almond shampoo, shea butter hand cream and Immortelle precious cream.

11 24 Days of Nails Holiday Advent Calendar, Claire’s, £14

This advent calendar with a twist contains everything you need for an at-home manicure, with 24 salon-worthy must haves from nail polish to decorative jewels. Reduced from £35 at Claire’s it has everything you need to make your talons sparkle.

BEAUTY

12 You Are The Revolution Advent Calendar 2022, Boots, £42.50

Grab a pamper bargain with this from beauty brand Revolution. Usually £85, it’s half-price in Boots. It has 25 items, including lipstick and a blusher palette.