Table of Contents
Gifted items.
This is a first of a kind on the blog! Whilst I have been producing Christmas gift guides yearly since I’m running my blog; I have not ventured into the land of Advent Calendars so far. But I must say, I was really missing out, because there are so many advent calendars now available – and also for grown ups, not just kids! And why not have fun during the festive period as an adult? So enjoy this sustainable Advent Calendars guide 2023 – you’ll find lots of good ideas to keep the advent weeks upbeat and festive. We all need that little extra sparkles these days – but on a sustainable and ethical way.
Enjoy!
Gaia Skincare
Embrace the magic of the festive season with GAIA Skincare’s first Advent Calendar, a curated selection of skincare items to surprise and delight you every day until Christmas. Discover GAIA’s nourishing range of products, with 24 items from their bath, body, and face ranges, including full-size facial serums, a selection of 100ml amenities and award-winning skincare products, worth over £300. Boost your wellbeing and encourage self-care every day in the lead up to Christmas.
GAIA’s skincare range is made from natural ingredients only, with certified organic plant extracts. Many of which are fair trade and sourced from small farms and producers. Their products are created harmoniously with the natural world, avoiding harsh chemicals and synthetic colours, which can be damaging for both the body but also for the natural environment. All GAIA Skincare products are handcrafted in the South West of England, naturally cruelty-free, and packaged mindfully, opting for reusable and recyclable containers.
RRP: £175
Vista Print Personalised Advent Calendars with Vegan Chocolate
Vegan chocolate and your favourite photo printed onto you Advent Calendar! Such a treat a-a and it makes a great little gift for family and friends. Grandma would definitely love one! Vista Print offers you a quick and reliable service: upload the image and select the calendar size and orientation (horizontal or vertical) and press pay. That’s it.
It’s made with FSC® Certified cardboard too.
Prices starting at £16.99
Build Your Own Pinball Machine Advent Calendar
Gift a fun-filled Christmas countdown with Build Your Own’s limited edition Pinball Machine Advent Calendar.
Hidden behind each door you’ll find a new step of kit instructions. Build step-by-step over 24 days in December; the pieces come together to create a fully functioning Pinball Machine the whole family can enjoy on Christmas Eve. Incredible value for money beyond Christmas! Fun, educational and supports STEM, suitable from 8 years onwards.
Made from 100% sustainable card, a planet-friendly take on the traditional arcade game, your super cool tabletop Pinball Machine will provide hours of entertainment over the holiday period.
RRP: £24.99
Personalised Elf Letters – Advent Calendar Letters
Enjoy magical elf letters from the North Pole this advent. This set includes 24 individual elf advent calendar letters addressed personally to your child – the seventh edition of our much-loved letters feature brand new stories and illustrations, launched in 2023.
RRP: £29.50
And did you know you you can also visit the elves in Lapland UK?
Plus-Plus Advent Calendar
For those little engineers or wanna-be engineers! I love STEM toys and they are always my go to when ever I need to buy gifts. The Plus -Plus Advent Calendar is for kids between 5-12 (unisex) and is designed to promote STEM: a new construction toy each day to build.
Plus-Plus is a socially and environmentally responsible company. They work closely with non-profit organisations to support children in hospitals. Their factory and headquarters run on 100% green energy generated from wind power. All products and packaging are 100% recyclable. Stockists: Available at toysrus.co.uk
RRP: £29.99
Advent of Change Advent Calendar
A charity Advent Calendar that gives back. If you haven’t heard of them Advent of Change is a a non-profit organisation and their aim is to make the world a more fair, equal and sustainable place. Via their online shop you can purchase beautiful, everyday products that donate to multiple charities with one single purchase.
Their Charity Advent Calendar is eco-friendly, plastic free and sustainable. Fully recyclable too. Buying this Advent Calendar, you’ll help 24 charities ad 24 charity donations are included in the price. Each day, opening the doors you can see the charity you helped by purchasing this advent calendar.
RRP: £17.95
Happi Triple Flavour Plastic-free Advent Calendar
The new Happi Triple Flavour Plastic-free Advent Calendar is a 2023 edition of the previous years’ Happi Advent Calendars.
Plant-based, plastic-free packaging and made from single-origin Colombian cocoa.
- 3 flavours: Plain M!lk, Orange & Salted Caramel
- 100% plastic-free packaging
- Made from Single-Origin Colombian Cocoa
- Award-winning oat m!lk chocolate
- Vegan Friendly
- Slavery-free
RRP: £15
Fill Your Own Sustainable Advent Calendars
Why not try to fill your own Advent Calendar? You can then fill them with anything – not just chocolate! It’s up to you but anything can go into the little boxes: vouchers that you can claim for doing chores or helping out at home – for example doing a bit of gardening, volunteering, day outs, and plenty of “free” things that can be fun or helpful. Not necessarily just stuff. It’s also a good way to get the children involved and make a really special advent calendar for the parents or grandparents – they can keep and cherish.
RRP: £14
The Gruffalo And Friends Advent Calendar Book Collection
This one is for the little ones: the beloved Julia Donaldson stories in a wonderful, festive book collection of 24 mini books, one for each day till Christmas. This is a wonderful idea of swapping sweets for books – and you might wonder, if this is really possible; well, with this Advent Calendar, it really is! Such a delightful idea of encouraging little readers. The Gruffalo And Friends Advent Calendar Book Collection is available at the NSPCC online shop.
The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity. They work to protect children, prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families.
RRP: £21.99
Play-in-Choc Advent Calendar
The Play-in-Choc Advent Calendar is back for 2023! Mainly for kids – but I know many adults will enjoy these too – a throwback to our childhood Kinder Egg addiction – but now we know better…. This is a completely plastic free Advent Calendar, made with 100% organic, vegan chocolate. Behind each of the 24 windows you’ll find a super-cute festive toy plus one of the creamy, vegan chocolates and a fun facts card.
RRP: £49.95
Giveaway (This giveaway has now finished)
The lucky winner win a spectacular sustainable Advent Calendar from GAIA Skincare worth over £300, enter below, just follow the instructions. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and conditions
The competition closes at 12:00 AM on 8th of November 2023 and the winner will be notified via email within 48 hours.
The giveaway is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over.
There is no maximum amount of times an individual can enter, and each entry will be in with a chance of winning.
ONE person will be picked at random as a winner. The prize provider will send the prize directly to the winner as soon as is reasonably possible. (It is the winner’s responsibility to reply with their full name and address in order to receive their prize).
The winner will have 5 days to respond to their winner’s email. Otherwise we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
No cash alternatives are available.
The winner’s name will be posted onto the Captain Bobcat Blog website so do keep an eye out!
119 comments
I do still like to have an advent calender but usually just a chocolate one. My 13yr old is wanting a beauty one this year
Yes, Jingle the elf kindly brings us all an advent calendar in this house
I absolutely love this blog! I would never have known about any of these! Thank you
I don’t treat myself to an advent calendar but buy family members one each to enjoy.
I have to admit I do love an advent calendar in the run up to Christmas
I don’t, but then usually regret it when I see my children opening theirs every day in December!
no but I buy for a 36, 32 year old , and their children
I did used to treat myself but then I did stop when I stopped working. When I was working I did splash out on Cath Kidston ones and gin ones 🤭
Definitely!! I’ve always had one (never not had a chocolate one, just posher chocolate now!). And the past couple of years have had a gift one too
Not really due budget but I treated my husband to one last year
I dont buy them for myself but love to receive them as a gift!
No because they are a little too expensive for me
Love a beauty advent calendar!
I don’t usually buy for myself, just the kids. I’m planning to get one for my 42 year old sister this year, though 🙂
Yes but it’s usually just a Cadbury Chocolate one!
Yeah usually a chocolate one!
Always have an advent calendar, and if it’s not opened every day it’s bad luck! kids are good at remembering thankfully.
I treated myself to a skincare advent calendar last year, but usually I just treat other members of the family to calendars of their choice.
No I don’t treat myself to an Advent calendar but my daughters like beauty advent calendars so I buy them one
Yes a gin or wine one
I have never had an advent calendar like this one, I would love to win it.
Yes a chocolate one just for me as a treat
I love a posh advent calendar, it’s such a treat to have a lovely surprise every day in December and have a moment’s respite from the pre-Christmas rush.
Hello – thanks for organising a great advent calendar competition! We would love to include it in our curated list of 2023 advent calendar competitions here: https://newcomps.co.uk/christmas-advent-calendar-competitions-2023-3450
do we have your permission?
Yes! Happy to share an in post link to the page as well – email me pls.
No I don’t but I do my 30 year old son
Always treat myself and my boyfriend to an advent calendar! Has to be Cadburys though:)
No. Not with the cost of living crisis.
Yes I always still treat myself to some kind of advent calendar to join in the countdown!
I do not treat myse;f to an advent calendar as there is always so much to buy for Christmas but I do love them.
No but i wish i did
I don’t but it would be a lovely treat to have one.
Only a chocolate one.
Oh yes, no chocolate but a beauty one last year with a Pukka tea. Always a nice treat
i have had a jam one for the last two years which i loved
Sometimes I buy one for me and hubby, or my daughter gets us one each!
What a nice idea. Any women would be happy with one of this😊
No but maybe this year
No I dont buy one for myself but I love the idea of them
No I haven’t had an advent calendar since I was a child
It has never occurred to me to but one for myself! I do however treat the grandchildren to one each year.
I do for my daughter only, not for myself.
I don’t but only because I can’t afford the ones I’d like to have!
Only a basic one to each other
I’m a compulsive chocoholic so a Christmas without an advent calendar just isnt Christmas
I get my children an advent calendar each but I always feel like there’s too many other priorities at Christmas. I would love to treat myself to a beauty calendar though x
Never treat myself would be so nice to have something for myself 🙂
I treat my husband and myself to one. I always love the countdown to Christmas.
no but treat adult grandchildren
No but I treat my little ones to one
I do, but when they are on sale! I am very tempted by them!
Yes can’t beat a Chocolate Advent Calendar. I’m a kid at heart
Lovely
I dont buy advent calendars myself but someone usually gets me one
I do like to get myself a chocolate advent calendar, any excuse to eat chocolate!
I usually have a Reece’s peanut cup one
I’ve never had any spare cash to buy myself an advent calendar and never been lucky enough to be given one so this would be such an amazing treat to win, especially as I’m in my seventies and feel entitled to indulge myself at my age!
LOVELY
I would love to win this
Not usually – would love to for Christmas 2023
Now and again I treat myself to a beauty advent calendar – I did like the Sanctuary one but they haven’t done one for the last two years, fingers crossed for this year!
Love advent calendars . Always treat other people but .thinking of treating myself this year. With my family
No I don’t I only ever buy them for the children
yes, i have a chocolate one and usually have a beauty or other one too
I always buy my daughter an advent calendar and she is now 25
I used to -but stopped in my mid-20s when I realised I kept forgetting to open the little door each day!
The ultimate joy of a little present everyday. Perfect for spoiling myself.
Yes I do love to open a little calendar door each morning – it brightens my day and helps me countdown to Xmas!
I think about it, but can’t justify the expense
No I don’t treat myself to an Advent Calendar = I’m so busy in the run up to Christmas I am not sure I would enjoy it properly. Now a 12 Days of Christmas calendar – that would be different.
I have moved on to a beauty one now to save on calories
We have a reusable calendar that I burned (pyrography) and decorated myself – we fill it with treats for adults – it’s not so much an every day thing, but if someone is having a bad day or is getting stressed with the Christmas Crazies – they can dip in for a treat or a bit of stress relief (read chocolate!)
I love a beauty or skincare advent calendar but only treat myself on years when I can afford to!
I have to have at least one calendar… normally multiple! To me it’s a crucial part of christmas!!
No I haven’t treated myself to one for years!
I normally just buy fir my boys as I cannot afford to buy one for myself.
I do still treat myself to an advent calendar
No, very rarely!! I buy one each for my teens.
We have a family advent calendar, full of treats to share as a family.
I Love To Have An Advent Calendar For Myself Each Year Even if it’s a Small Chocolate One . I Guess it’s the Child In Me Still . 🥹
I don’t normally buy myself an advent calendar, but I’m tempted by a beauty one.
No I don’t – I’ve been treating myself all year
Yes! The M and S beauty one, which has introduced me to lots of brands I’d never considered before.
yes
Yes I do normally
yes of course and my husband as well haha!
Yes, I get bought a make up/perfume/skincare for my birthday at the end of the year. I love them,
No I don’t but I really feel I should start this year!
No, just for the kids
I normally have a chocolate calendar
I love an advent calendar, normally a nice choc one
I still treat my adult children to advent calendars but I don’t treat myself to one
I do! I’ve not indulged in a luxury advent, it’s the cheap fun chocolate ones we got as kids haha!
No I don’t anymore, I just buy them for my children
Do not normally have an advent calendar but with so many new ones out now with such a variety of wonderful gifts inside, it is definitely a must for adults!
No I don’t but it would be cute if someone got me one!
I don’t treat myself but my mum still buys me a chocolate one 😁
Not very often and if I do it is usually food related
No but I treated the 4 children to one every December and am now starting again treating the grandchildren which is just as enjoyable.
I have bought myself an Amazon beauty advent calendar a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it! Waking up every morning to find out what my little treat would be!
I’ve got an old fashioned glittery one at the moment that I re-use because it’s really pretty!
Yes I do like to treat myself and hubby to an advent calendar x
sometimes i do
I treated myself to a wax melt advent calendar last year which was lovely.
Its a long time since i had my own advent calendar – love to buy for others though
i do sometimes but not every year
Anything food related or chocolate themed
My Mum still buys me one actually so I can be an adult who is still treated by a more adult adult!
We have a lovely wooden nativity advent calendar which is many years old but I do put a chocolate behind each door with the nativity figures and my husband and I take it in turns to open the doors and claim the chocolate
Yes because it makes me happy x
Yes, we all love to have an advent calendar to open, it makes the run up to Christmas super exciting!
My Husband and I always buy a traditional advent calendar and take it in turns to open the doors x
An advent calendar like this would be such a treat!
I sometimes do but usually just for the kids and I occasionally make one.
No, not for me, still get them for my adult children and my teenage boy too though, bit of a tradition!
What a fantastic prize
Yes, me and my partner still have chocolate advent calendars.
Yes i dtill treat myself to a advent calandar
OH YES !!!!!!
I am a big kid at heart with no intentions of growing up not even at 57 years of age. I have a Pet Patrol Chocolate one so far to open in December and would love to win another xx