A mum-of-two tells us which are the best advent calendars for kids for 2023
With less than three weeks until December, it’s about time to start thinking about what kind of advent calendar you want to get, if you haven’t already. Beauty and grooming calendars have been hugely popular once again in 2023, and while some of them - such as Nivea or Revolution - are great picks for teenagers, many are aimed at more seasoned beauty buffs.
On the other hand, some teens may not be interested in pampering at all, with some preferring to stick to chocolate, while others may want something themed around their favourite characters. As such, parenting editor has taken a look at no fewer than 20 of this year’s Christmas countdowns in a bid to find the best ones for teens, tweens and some for even younger children.
The mum-of-two enlisted the help of her son and daughter to unbox several of the festive hauls and said: “Advent calendars are much more exciting than they used to be. Gone are the days when your only option was an often disappointing chocolate behind each door.
“Nowadays people are counting down to Christmas with toys, bath bombs, beauty products and a whole lot more. We've been taking a look at some of the best calendars on the market for little ones and teenagers - and there's no saying big kids can't buy them too.”
Lego Marvel Avengers
Lego Marvel Avengers (MEN)Two of the most popular things - Star Wars and Marvel Avengers - so obviously this is going to be a popular one.
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
This year's calendar features seven mini figures – Okoye, Doctor Strange, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wong, Iron Man and Black Widow – plus mini builds and accessories that kids will recognise from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including a mini Quinjet and the Hydra Train.
£29.99 from the Lego.com website, or Amazon.
Peppa Pig
Peppa Pig (MEN)If your little one is a fan of Peppa Pig, they're going to love this one. The advent calendar contains 24 days of hair and dress up accessories, including two bracelets, a pocket mirror, a hairbrush, four rings and 20 hair accessories.
£30 at Boots.com.
Lush
Lush (MEN)It's always an expensive one for the list but fans of Lush know they're getting lots of products for their money if they invest in the annual treat.
There are actually two advent calendars to choose from this year - The Lush Advent Calendar and the Christmas Buds Advent Calendar.
We've been taking a look at the latter, which can be reused as a doll’s house and contains 25 bathing treats that promise to 'leave the entire family feeling festive'. It features Lush classics, as well as festive exclusives and returning retro favourites such as Chocolate Santa Bath Bomb, Snow Angel Bath Melt and Snowman Bubbleroon.
You can see the full list of contents and order the calendar from Lush.com, £125.
Lego Star Wars
Lego Star Wars (MEN)This year's Lego Star Wars calendar is likely to be another sell-out. It’s packed with collectible characters, mini build toys and accessories to play out Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: The Bad Batch stories and to combine with other Lego Star Wars sets.
The set features eight Lego Star Wars characters, including Emperor Palpatine, an Ewok and a Pit Droid in Christmas outfits, a Gonk Droid dressed as a reindeer and Omega with a sledge. There's also 15 mini builds, such as The Justifier, a STAP speeder, The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter, Clone Command Centre and an Ewok village to inspire imaginative play.
Banksy's artwork has been removed in cities all over the world - see which ones
£29.99 from the Lego.com website, or Amazon.
M&S
M&S (MEN)Marks and Spencer's Beauty Advent Calendar has been one of the best sellers since they first became a thing. This year's treats come inside a metallic vegan leather vanity case, which you can store them all in or use when travelling.
As well as the best of M&S Beauty products, as ever it features some of the biggest third-party brands, so any teenage girl lucky enough to get this one will be more than impressed.
Goodies include Clinique Moisture Surge, Dr Paw Paw Overnight Lip Mask, Pixi Brow Tamer and Pixi LipLift Max (Sheer Rose).
Some of the products are full size too, like the 150ml REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel and Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara.
The value of this year's collection is £340, so you won't be disappointed. The calendar will be available to buy in stores and online from October 26. You can get it for £45 when you spend £35 on clothing, or home and beauty.
You can read our full
Brio
Brio (MEN)One for the little train lovers is the Brio Advent Calendar. Recommended for ages three plus, it includes 24 pieces with exclusive seasonal content such as a Santa Claus and festive train.
You fold down the front of the box to reveal a Christmas scene and day by day open the doors to discover a toy that is compatible with the BRIO World railway system.
From £34.99 from Selfridges, Amazon
Barbie
Barbie (MEN)Barbie's popularity has soared since the hit film of this summer and there's no shortage of Barbie calendars for kids to enjoy.
The Barbie Advent Colour Reveal calendar includes loads of Barbie accessories, including water reveal keychains, scratch reveal Barbie stickers and Barbie stationery.
£14.99 from Amazon.
Baby Annabell
Baby Annabell (MEN)Any young Baby Annabell fan will absolutely adore this year's calendar.
Featuring 24 different pieces of festive clothing and accessories, they will be able to reveal something new each day to dress and play with their Baby Annabell dolls.
Clothing includes a gold frilly top and white tiered skirt for the big day, plus a pink fluffy jumper and bobble hat for any wintry walks. There’s also a lovely red dress and gold crown for any Christmas parties and a doll-sized stocking to hang on Christmas Eve.
And there are accessories like mini cupcakes, sunglasses and even a dummy and bottle for Baby Annabell. All the clothing and accessories are for the 43cm dolls.
£39.99 from Zapf Creation, or Amazon.
Revolution
Revolution (MEN)Another one those older girls will like is this year's Revolution 25 Days of Glam Advent Calendar.
From eyeliners and lip glosses to blush and brow gel, it's packed with every product they could possibly need this Christmas.
And there are accessories too, like an eye shadow brush, a mirror and an exclusive Black Powder Puff, which caused huge excitement with my own teenager. You're getting almost £100 worth of products for half the usual price.
The calendar is currently cheapest from . Read our
Lego City
Lego City (MEN)Another one to make it onto our list this year is the Lego City advent calendar.
A good one for younger kids, age five and up, it's packed with fun builds and festive surprises and each one comes with easy step-by-step building instructions to ensure that even new Lego builders can enjoy the fun build-and-play experience.
Kids can fold down the winter wonderland playmat to set the scene for adventures with their festive characters, seasonal mini builds and accessories.
Surprises include Mr and Mrs Claus, a carol singer, ice hockey player, and ice sculptor mini figures, plus snowman, reindeer, puppy and kitten figures.
£19.99 from Very.com.
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark (MEN)Perfect for little animal lovers is the Orange Tree Toys wooden Noah's Ark advent calendar from Selfridges.
It features 24 painted wooden characters, 'encourages hand-eye coordination' and 'stimulates key motor skills'.
There's also a Peter Rabbit wooden calendar from the same range, priced £35.
£30 from Selfridges.com.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter (MEN)The little wizard is a massive hit with young and old and there are various Harry Potter themed calendars to choose from.
There are three available at Selfridges - The Jelly Belly Harry Potter Advent Calendar with miniature bags of assorted jelly beans for £19.99, the Funko 24-piece advent calendar featuring collectible POP! figures for £55, and the Lego Harry Potter calendar featuring mini figures of Harry, Hermione, Ron and more, priced at £30.
Available at Selfridges, Amazon and more.
Baylis & Harding
Baylis & Harding (MEN)Another option for those tweens and teens who love their bathing treats is the Baylis & Harding Luxury 24 days of Beauty Advent Calendar.
It contains 24 treats including bath and shower bubbles, body washes, shower crèmes, hand creams, shower gels, foot lotions, body lotions, bath bubbles and bath soak crystals in the much-loved scents of jojoba, vanilla and almond oil; and sweet mandarin and grapefruit.
£30 from Amazon.
Yankee Candle
Yankee Candle (MEN)Most teenagers love a nice candle and the popular Yankee Candle Advent Book is back this Christmas.
It features a selection of tea lights and filled votive candles in various fragrances including Letters to Santa, Pink Cherry and Vanilla and Clean Cotton. It also includes new fragrances Silver Sage and Pine and White Spruce and Grapefruit.
A silver plated glass tea light holder also provides the perfect container for your candles.
£49.99 from Yankeecandle.co.uk
Pokemon
Pokemon (MEN)Another huge hit with kids (and grown ups) of every age is Pokemon.
Amazon has a wide range of calendars to choose from, including the Pokémon Deluxe Holiday Calendar, which includes a mix of 24 two-inch battle figures, £27.99, and the Pokemon TCG: Holiday Calendar, which comes with eight foil promo cards, five booster packs and more for around £40.
Amazon, Selfridges and more.
Gravitrax
Gravitrax (MEN)If you're wanting something to keep them busy then the Gravitrax marble run track advent calendar is one to consider - although they'll have to be patient waiting for all those pieces.
Recommended for kids from the age of eight, they get to open the 24 doors to collect the components to build an 'exciting, multi-height track'.
There are 36 pieces inside, including an exclusive golden Gravitrax marble and they can experiment with the pieces to design countless track layouts.
£29.99 from the Ravensburger website here.
Swizzels
Swizzels (MEN)We couldn't have a calendar list without some sweetie ones and Swizzels has once again gone all out with a special Sweet Shop design.
It features everybody’s favourites including Refreshers, Love Hearts, Drumstick, Parma Violets and more.
Featuring the brand’s mascot Mr Swizzels in his sweet shop at Christmas, there are some fun games and activities on the back of the calendar, along with Christmas facts and jokes behind each door.
£6 B&M
Cadbury Chocolate 3D Advent Calendar
Cadbury Chocolate 3D Advent Calendar (MEN)We certainly couldn't leave the chocolate calendars out completely and Cadbury's 3D calendar is a popular choice.
It's a unique design and is packed with all those favourites, from Freddos and Chomps to Curly Wurly bars and Cadbury Fudge.
From £8 at Asda, B&M, Sainsbury's
Hotel Chocolat
Hotel Chocolat (MEN)If your kids have grown out of some of the cartoon character calendars, you could go for something a bit more refined.
The Hotel Chocolat Everything Advent Calendar is the brand's 'most iconic advent calendar', filled with their most iconic milk, white and dark chocolates.
It's one for your older teens mind - as some of the chocolates contain alcohol - but with Fudge Sundae, The Brownie and Florentine Isabelle, they can mark each day of December with a decadent treat.
£27.70 from Very.com
Nivea Advent Calendar
Nivea Advent Calendar (MEN)We can't leave out those boys wanting some smellies too.
For any tween or teen paying a bit more attention to self care, there's the Nivea For Men Advent Calendar featuring all sorts of products for skincare, bathing and grooming.
There's shower gel, moisturiser, eye cream, lip balm and more, as well as seven accessories - a soap bag, pumice stone, bamboo washcloth, shower puff, loofah mitt, bottle opener and socks.
From £30 Superdrug, Amazon and more
The Mirror’s own Charlotte Henry also thought the who loved their fragranced bath and body products. However, if it is a beauty advent calendar you quite like the idea of, you can - alternatively, , including Boots and John Lewis.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
