Don't fancy chocolate this Christmas? Try an alternative advent calendar

By Zoe Holland

NZ Herald·

27 Nov, 2020 08:09 PM5 mins to read

Not wanting chocolate this year? Try a cheese, make-up or stationery advent calendar. Photo / Supplied

Whether you're a whovillian or the Grinch when it comes to Christmas, the fact is the big day is less than a month away, so you should properly start thinking about getting an advent calendar.

Chocolate is a typical advent calendar filling, whether it be in a Spider-Man or Barbie-themed calendar.

However, here are some alternative advent calendars choices if you aren't a chocoholic.

Cheese lovers

Merry Cheesemas! If you are a cheese lover rather than a chocolate lover, here is the advent calendar for you.

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A post shared by Annem Hobson (@sowrongitsnom)

The Ilchester Cheese Advent Calendar comes with 24 mini cheeses, in nine varieties.

The cheeses are even encased in a fridge-door friendly packing and behind each door is an extremely cheesy joke.

In 2016, food blogger Annem Hobson made a cheese advent calendar prototype, which sparked global frenzy.

So if you're into your cheeses head to your local supermarket and grab yourself the "24 days of Cheesemas" festive treat.

Tea lovers

Why not wash all those festive treats down with a cup of nicely brewed tea?

Popular tea company T2 has launched the perfect advent calendar for those who like a good cup of tea.

"World of Tea: Teabag Advent Calendar" will let you sit back and relax with a good cup of tea over the 24 days leading up to Christmas.

If you are "oolonging" for this calendar, you can get it from T2 in store or online.

Lego lovers

Are you or your kids obsessed with Lego?

Of course there is a Lego advent calendar. Actually, there are a couple of choices. One is specifically for lovers of the wizarding world.

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The Warehouse both the Lego Harry Potter advent calendar and the Lego city advent calendar.

Behind each door in the Harry Potter calendar lies a different toy from the series, which then can help create a holiday Harry Potter scene, including the Yule ball.

Of course three of the 24 figurines will be Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and the main guy himself, Harry Potter.

The Lego Harry Potter advent calendar is perfect for Lego and Harry Potter fans. Photo / Lego.com

Lego's TV show City Adventures more your thing?

Among the 24 toys there are TV character figures and "seasonal mini-builds" and "a snowy city play mat".

The Lego City advent calendar is Lego with some Christmas flair. Photo / Lego.com

Beauty lovers

Love a pamper?

There are several suitable advent calendars for the beauty gurus out there.

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A post shared by Lancôme Official (@lancomeofficial)

However, they are a little more pricey than your usual Spider-Man chocolate advent calendar.

They include various make-up brands such as Mac, Benefit and Lancome.

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A post shared by M·A·C Cosmetics (@maccosmetics)

Prices range from $135-$304, but you are guaranteed 24 make-up or skincare products.

Mac is offering a mini or complete-sized advent calendar filled with eye shadows and lipsticks.

If you are a Benefit fan, their advent calendar is filled with fan favourites and top sellers including their Hoola matte bronzer, Porefessional primers, Gimme Brow.

Fear not, if you aren't into make-up, there are a few other options for those who love a skin care.

Popular brand the Body Shop has released its advent calendars.

According to the Body Shop's website, last year's calendar was so popular, one sold every 30 seconds.

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So this year, three calendars have been released.

The first is the "ultimate advent calendar" which contains 25 full-sized skincare, make-up, body and bath care products.

The second is the "make it real together big advent calendar", which includes a mixture of mini and full-sized products.

The last advent calendar is the "make it real together advent calendar", which contains 24 mini bath and body treats - and a few surprises.

Drink lovers

Fancy a cold one on a nice summer's day?

Well there is a specific advent calendar for those who like to kick back with a cold brew.

A few breweries are selling advent calendars, including Kereru Brewing.

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A post shared by Kererū Brewing: NZ Craft Beer (@kererubrewing)

It has 24 different 330ml cans on offer each day including 10 hoppy beers, five dark beers, four malty beers, four brown beers, and a sour beer.

Two dollars from every purchase will go to the NZ Forest and Bird Association.

Stationery lovers

Now this is a weird one. But there is truly an advent calendar out there for everyone, no matter your interests or hobbies.

If you are a stationery fan, stationery store Smiggle has an advent calendar for $44.99 and it's full of all kind of goodies, including a rainbow pen, a scented sticker pack, glitter glue and even a kaleidoscope.

While Smiggle may be targeted to the younger stationery lovers, there is also a more sophisticated option.

Kikki K has an advent calendar dedicated to ... wait for it ... erasers.