13 of the Most Unusual Advent Calendars You Can Buy
The season of joy is upon us, and we all need as much holiday magic as the world can provide right now. Whether you’re an avid Christmas fanatic or just happy to have a few days off from work, this series will help you choose the perfect gifts, playlists, meals and activities to make this the best Christmas ever .
Advent calendars have been around for a long time, but if you think of the simple paper calendars that showed a cute little picture or piece of candy every day before Christmas, you can’t keep up. Advent calendars have become commonplace these days (though many people view them as a holiday-themed unboxing opportunity , which ruins the charming patience that’s traditionally required), offering ongoing samples of everything from beauty products to beer to make your holiday season a little more fun . more magical. Considering the stress all house guests and holiday travel can cause, the simple joy of getting a little treat every day is irresistible.
In fact, we are living in something of a Golden Age of the Advent Calendar. Whatever you and the rest of your family enjoy, an advent calendar is in your wheelhouse, offering the simple pleasure of discovery and daily moments of joy. Here are some of the most interesting advent calendars that will make your holidays extra fun.
LEGO (and Star Wars)
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy LEGO sets or Star Wars. Featuring 18 minis (including an X-Wing, TIE Fighter and Millennium Falcon) and six minifigures (including Luke, Leia and Ahsoka), the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar brings a little adventure into your home every day, until Christmas.
Puzzles
If your family loves a good puzzle, this advent calendar is for you. Comprised of 24 interconnected puzzles, complete with digital extras such as online videos, Professor Charlie’s World Tour isn’t just a way to mark the time until you can open presents, it’s a group activity that transforms time typically spent waiting impatiently the arrival of the holiday, into a challenging, stimulating experience.
Hot sauce
The world is divided into two people: those who start sweating just by looking at a bottle of hot sauce, and those who carry hot sauce with them everywhere just in case . If you or someone you love is part of the latter tribe, an advent calendar offering 12 different hot sauce samples of varying degrees of heat must be pure heaven.
Advent for pets
The holidays are not just about you, you are a selfish person. Your furry friends would love to get involved too, and what better way to get them involved than with a treat-giving advent calendar? Whether you’re a dog or cat lover, make December the most mysteriously wonderful time of the year for your extended animal family.
Play-Doh
Of course, technically it’s for kids. But if you’re an adult who can find Play-Doh in your home and won’t play with it, there might be something wrong with you. This advent calendar features 24 cans of Play-Doh in assorted colors, plus activity mats, molds, and tools to help unleash everyone’s creative potential. You can either create pre-planned scenes as you go, or just go crazy with Play-Doh and have fun. Either way: best Christmas ever.
Lip balm
If you know other people, there is a 100% chance that at least one of them is addicted to some kind of lip balm . The ChapStick Advent Calendar offers 12 different lip balm flavors, ensuring that no matter what else happens during the holidays this year, chapped lips won’t be on the list.
Dungeons and Dragons
Whether you were there when Deep Magic was written, or you’ve recently discovered a bug in a tabletop role-playing game , what’s better than a D&D themed advent calendar ? Featuring 25 mini-treasures (inspired by the Forgotten Realms) that you probably won’t find in any standard campaign, this advent calendar turns every day into a mini-dungeon crawl, minus the danger of losing a save.
Wine and cheese
If you like your treats a little more grown-up and savoury, why not turn every day of the month leading up to Christmas into a tiny party? With an advent calendar that offers 12 surprise wine samples, combined with a calendar that offers 12 surprise cheese samples , you can have a little tasting every day. As a bonus, this will allow you to get your liver and stomach in shape for the marathon of parties that will mark the end of the year.
Japanese snacks
Japan knows a thing or two about food and holidays, and this unique advent calendar is a celebration of Japanese snacks and culture. Each year’s calendar has a different theme: this year is kintsugi , the charming concept of repairing broken things with gold, highlighting flaws and creating something beautiful. Something tells us the concept will be a comforting one for the coming year, and the snacks and small gifts found inside each box will bring a little international joy into your life in the meantime.
Science!
What ‘s more fun than an advent calendar that offers a collection of gemstone samples, science experiments (which can double as magic tricks, as science often does), and even mini-digs that will let you find fool’s gold? Who needs more candy when you can make things glow or float using only the fundamental forces of our universe?
Socks!
Never have we imagined a future so glorious that you could enjoy a stocking-filled advent calendar during the holiday season. With twelve pairs of holiday socks, you’ll not only have the joy of discovery every day, but you’ll also be able to wear a new pair of socks around the house every single day, right up until Christmas.
Burger King Advent Calendar
If your childhood memories include frequenting Burger King (that’s where my parents took me whenever I earned an award; burgers are still my love language), this quaint little advent calendar might be perfect if you can get it find. Each box features a BK-themed item celebrating Burger King’s iconic menu items and history. Is this a little strange ? Yes! Is it a lot of fun? Yes too!
Couples only
Whether you’re trying to keep things spicy or just want a fun adventure with your partner, this adults-only advent calendar offers a variety of activities and challenges designed to strengthen your bond and enrich your time together. Each day offers a choice of activities, so you can determine exactly how you want to approach this couples-focused experience and get in the mood to celebrate the holidays.