With just weeks to go until the start of Advent, here's a run-down of the Telegraph's favourite chocolate and non chocolate Advent calendars - from budget to blow-out. We have to admit, we were forced to break into several chocolate calendars well in advance of December 1 to help compile this expert list. It was tough, but someone's got to do it. 22 best stocking filler ideas for Christmas Best non-chocolate Advent calendars Okay, let's be restrained and start with non-chocolate calendars. This one caught our eye because it can be personalised. You can relive the year's best moments with 24 of your favourite photos hidden behind each door. The perfect pre-Christmas countdown - but without the sugar high. Scratch North Pole Advent Calendar Children scratch off a foil square every day in December to reveal a fun Christmas themed character. The great thing about this calendar by Maps International is instead of it being redundant on December 25, it transforms into a magical poster of Santa's Grotto which can be pinned up year after year.
Nativity Scene Advent Calendar If you don't want to encourage chocolate eating, this modern-take on a traditional Christmas nativity scene by Quentin Blake is ideal. At £6.99 it's more expensive than many chocolate calendars, but it's charming nonetheless. It's also available on Amazon Prime. Best alternative Advent calendars Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendars Forget chocolate, why not get an advent calendar with a miniature bottle of alcohol behind each door. The excellent Drinks by the Dram sell all sorts of fun calendars for grown-ups keen to get into the “spirit” of Christmas, quite literally. The packaging is also very stylish. It's pricey, but if you want to splash out we recommend the Drinks by the Dram Gin Advent Calendar which contains a different 3cl sample behind each door – a mixture of market leaders, craft treats and some hard-to-find gems. They also stock whisky, rum and vodka calendars, and lots more. Note: you might want to drink these after work.
Playmobil Christmas Room Advent Calendar If your children can't wait until Christmas Day to get their hands on some toys, why not ease the excitement with this Playmobil calendar. Behind each door is a Playmobil family member or some Christmas accessories. Fortnum Wooden Tea Advent Calendar If you're not keen on a boozy Christmas countdown, why not opt for a calendar celebrating the great British cup of tea and go round the world in 24 days. This beautiful handcrafted wooden Fortnum & Mason Tea Calendar doesn't come cheap, but behind each door lies a selection of rare teas sourced from the hills and valleys of India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya and Thailand. Lakeland Light Up Advent House An enchanting Light-Up Advent House that contains 24 foil-covered milk chocolate balls to slot in each drawer. Easy to reuse year after year as well and produces a soft glowing cityscape to light up your lounge. Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar Timed especially to coincide with December's Star Wars movie Rogue One, Lego has ditched chocolates in place of miniature Star Wars figures.
The 24 pieces combine to create a masterpiece which can be built on Christmas Day. Likely to be quite popular, so order now. Lego also does a Lego Friends calendar, and Lego City calendar. Best chocolate Advent calendars Simply Chocolate Advent Calendar The best thing about this Advent calendar is that it's made up of days and half days, (eg 1 Dec, 1.5 Dec, 2 Dec, 2.5 Dec), so you can gorge on a load of extra milk, dark and white Danish choccies. It might be even more calories, but who cares, it's Christmas! Divine Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar Every year the Divine calendar has a beautiful new illustration of the nativity, and this year is no different. Behind each door is a Fairtrade milk chocolate heart while the back of the calendar features the the story of a Kuapa Kokoo producer as well as a fun activities to keep children entertained. A good value ethical choice. Prestat Rocking Horse Advent Calendar If it's good enough for the Queen, it's good enough for us.
This luxury chocolate calendar is made by Prestat, chocolatier to Her Majesty. As well as a delicious chocolate bonbon there is also a short story written by WB Keeling - the recently discovered and infamous author - behind each door. Hotel Chocolate Advent for Two calendar Countdown to Christmas with your loved one with this Advent for Two calendar (as long as you can trust him or her not to munch them all when your back is turned). There’s two tiny truffles behind each window, including the delicious Salted Caramel Cream and Gingerbread Praline. If you’re not up for sharing, Hotel Chocolate do a luxury singular calendar in Milk, White and Dark for £12.50 each. Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar £4 (currently £3), sainsburys.co.uk We couldn't complete our chocolate calendar round-up without mentioning chocolate giants Cadbury. Chocoholics get to gobble down a delicious piece of everyone's favourite food each day until Christmas. Bettys Advent Calendar Refill Bag
If you want to stay away from run-of-the-mill multinational confectioners, why not replenish your wooden, or fabric Advent calendar with these delicious milk and white chocolates from Betty's in Harrogate. This venerable Yorkshire bakery has expert chocolate makers having been in business since 1919 after being set up by Swiss baker and confectioner, Frederick Belmont, who honed his craft in Europe before heading to England. Trolls Light Up Chocolate Advent Calendar Small children will adore this Trolls Advent calendar (Trolls is the latest 3D family animation from Dreamworks if you're wondering). As well as a daily milk chocolate, for £6.99 it also lights up. What's not to like. Eat Your Greens Chocolate Sprouts Advent Calendar This quirky calendar would be an excellent way to get your five-a-day in the run up to Christmas Eve, if it weren't for the fact these Brussels sprouts are made of chocolate. If only this infamous vegetable were this delicious, we'd have no problem scoffing them on December 25.