15 Alternative Advent Calendars We Love: Beauty, Booze, Food & More

Whether you’re after coveted beauty items, delicious treats or locally made products, these alternative Advent calendars will have you all set to count down to Christmas Day 2022 in Hong Kong…

The Christmas countdown will soon begin and we intend to enjoy every second of it. Making the most of the lead up to the big day with an Advent calendar is a treat we’ll happily indulge in, so it’s only fair we take it up a notch this season with these more-than-chocolate alternatives. There’s truly a calendar for every interest, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites in anticipation of December 1st. From advent calendars spotlighting local brands to extravagant beauty buys, it’s worth getting your hands on one of the best alternative Advent calendars of 2022.

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Rituals 3D Advent Calendar

This Christmas, Rituals brings you holiday cheer in the form of another delightful 3D advent calendar. The build-it-yourself advent calendar forms a free-standing Christmas Tree adorned with 24 ornaments that contain bestsellers and exclusive items from the brand. This also includes four special Mini Candles from Rituals’ Private Collection, which you can collect each Sunday of December. Plus, to lend an extra touch of magic, Rituals has thrown in a small set of Christmas lights to light up your tree with.

Available online or in-store from Rituals for $1,135

Sugarfina Gingerbread House Advent Calendar

This deluxe advent calendar from Sugarfina offers a scrumptious candy tasting experience as you count down the 24 days before Christmas. Each drawer contains not one, but four sweets, allowing you to indulge in a different flavour a day. You’ll be treated to some of the brand’s bestsellers, as well as a few seasonal flavours like Merry Berries, Santa’s Donuts and Holiday Presents, to name a few.

Available in-store from Sugarfina for $488

teapigs Christmas Advent Calendar

Stay cosy in the lead-up to Christmas with teapig’s tea advent calendar, featuring the brand’s latest limited-edition winter blends such as gingerbread tea, spiced pear tea and more. Behind each door hides a new flavour to try – from energising teas to fuel you through last-minute shopping sprees to calming blends to get you sleeping soundly the night before the big day.

Available online from teapigs for $380

Fortnum & Mason’s Spirits & Liqueurs Advent Calendar

Drink and be merry this winter with Fortnum & Mason’s Spirits & Liqueurs Advent Calendar. This boozy box is filled to the brim with 25 festive tipples from the Fortnum’s Collection, plus a few collaborations. Sip on warming whiskies and spiced liqueurs as you discover fun facts hidden behind the doors of this recyclable Advent calendar. For more festive treats, check out Fortnum’s beauty, chocolate truffle and tea-filled advent calendars.

Available online from Fortnum & Mason for $2,298.98

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Lady M Winter Wishes Advent Calendar

The perfect centrepiece to any table, Lady M’s limited edition Winter Wishes Advent Calendar sweetens each December day with delicious gourmet candies and confections from Lady M Bon Bon (including Red Velvet Crunch Bites, Apple Cider Jellies, Chocolate Marshmallows). The 24 drawers form a ring around a New York City snow globe filled with glimmering golden flakes.

Available in-store from Lady M for $628 ($598 early bird price until Sunday, 20 November)

NET-A-PORTER Beauty Advent Calendar 2022

NET-A-PORTER’s coveted 25 Days of Beauty calendar is back for its fifth consecutive year to help you glow up this holiday season. Worth a whopping value of more than $9,000, the advent calendar comprises 25 bestsellers, cult classics and more from top skincare, haircare, body care and makeup brands. The lineup features 12 full-size products, including Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘K.I.S.S.I.N.G.’ lipstick in rosy “Nude Romance”, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s ‘The Good C’ serum and Agent Nateur’s full-size “holi(bright)” face mask.

Available online from NET-A-PORTER for $2,600

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Swarovski Annual Edition 2022 Advent Calendar

Available only for 2022, this elegant advent calendar encases 25 expertly cut crystal creations, which include exclusive designs featuring the beloved Swarovski characters Ricci the moose and Mo the cow. These intricate ornaments and figurines make the perfect pieces to adorn your Christmas tree this year.

Available online and in-store from Swarovski for $7,000

Read More: Where To Buy Christmas Decorations In Hong Kong

P&T Advent Calendar – Master Blends

Another one for tea lovers, the Paper & Tea “Master Blends” Advent Calendar contains 24 bags of the brand’s most popular organic tea blends. Every time you pop open a new window is your chance to take a breather during the busy holiday season with a hot cup of tea. Plus, the sustainably-produced calendar uses organic cotton and recyclable foil.

Available online from P&T for $480

Lush Advent Calendar

Treat yourself to 25 sumptuously scented vegan products from Lush’s 2022 advent calendar. Expect exclusive treats such as the Christmas Eve Soap and Ice Rainbow bubble bar, alongside best-sellers and retro products. We love that the gifts come packed in a beautiful reusable box made with 100% recycled materials (even the ribbon is made from recycled drinks bottles!). Plus, the artwork featured on the box was designed by ARTHOUSE Unlimited, a charity that showcases the artistic talents of adults living with complex neuroscience-diverse and physical support needs.

Available online and in-store from Lush for $2,800

REVOLVE Beauty 2022 Advent Calendar

Get all dolled up for the holidays with the help of REVOLVE’s incredible 2022 Advent Calendar featuring 24 mini, deluxe and full-size best-sellers. We’re talking Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Aura Serum, Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment, Oribe’s Mystify Restyling Spray, Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dewey Set, Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen and more!

Available online from REVOLVE for $1,177.70

L’Occitane Reusable Advent Calendar

In addition to its Classic Advent Calendar ($1,064) and online-exclusive Premium Advent Calendar ($1,282), L’Occitane brings us another reusable advent calendar made from recycled cotton this year. Created in collaboration with French Author-Illustrator Éva Offredo, each pocket carries a luxury size natural beauty product from the brand.

Available online from L’Occitane for $790 and the L’Occitane MEGA Sustainability Store – Pacific Place

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diptyque 2022 Advent Calendar

Taking design inspiration from the phosphorescent milky way, diptyque’s glow-in-the-dark 2022 advent calendar invites you to discover the parfumerie Maison’s iconic creations. Behind the doors, you’ll uncover 27 surprises, including three limited-edition Christmas candles, along with a selection of eaux de perfum, skincare essentials, gilded metal holiday decorations and more.

Available in-store from Diptyque for $3,750

Read More: Where To Buy Diffusers, Room Sprays & Candles In Hong Kong

Artisan Coffee Co. Advent Calendars

This one’s for all you coffee lovers! Artisan Coffee Co. is offering three advent calendar options this year, including the Pod Advent Calendar, Coffee Bag Advent Calendar and the Ultimate Pod Advent Calendar. Each of them include 24 doors hiding a rotation of Artisan Coffee Co.’s six iconic blends in either Nespresso Original compatible pods or coffee bags.

Available for pre-order online from Artisan Coffee Co. for $24.99 (GBP) to $69.95 (GBP)

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Tiny Island Maps Christmas Calendar

We were very excited to hear that Tiny Island Maps would coming out with an advent this year, and boy is she a beaut! The green and gold drawers are filled with surprises for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, featuring products from eight local brands. This advent calendar will only be available for pre-order before Saturday, 5 November, so be sure to place your order before it’s too late!

Available online from Tiny Island Maps for $790

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Dior Advent Calendar

Inspired by an imagined astral world where exotic flowers, fantastic beasts and the twinkling constellations above mix, this magnificent holiday calendar was specially designed by Italian contemporary artist and friend of the House of Dior, Pietro Ruffo. The advent calendar houses a coveted collection of 24 deluxe Dior fragrance, makeup and skincare items, as well as an exclusive lucky star Christmas decoration.

Available online or in-store from Dior for $3,500