The countdown to Christmas day is almost as exciting as the main event and, if you're anything like the House & Garden team, you'll be almost giddy by the time December rolls around. Following what has been a whirlwind 2023, we are going full Christmas elf this year, looking to spread joy, send gifts and get into the festive spirit more than ever before. One of the best ways to do this? A luxury advent calendar from one of your favourite retailers. For something a little different to the standard shop-bought calendars, this advent box is hard to resist. Goupie is a family-run business from Kent that hand-makes its confectionery to grandmother’s recipe, and everything is vegan plus gluten, nut and soya free. With the days darkening earlier and the temperature rapidly dropping, the winter season is the perfect time for a spot of indulgence. How about beginning each morning with a moment of bliss? The creation of master chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker, each drawer of this advent calendar is filled with a scrumptious chocolate truffle, waiting to be discovered – and savoured – as you count down the days to everyone’s favourite time of year. This year's best chocolate advent calendars offer something for everyone, from fun calendars aimed at kids to more sophisticated truffle and caramel-filled goodies for the grown-ups. The 20cl bottles of sparkling wine include four cava, two fruity rosado cava, two Proseccos and four Italian sparkling rosés bursting with white flower and ripe apple flavours. All are just enough for a daily glass of fizz to get you through the party season – although you may want to wait until after work rather than breakfast to open this advent calendar.

This is Goupie’s first ever advent calendar and is a little more hands-on than most, featuring 25 cardboard houses that need to be made, filled and hung on string. The kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions and even a QR code to a brilliant festive playlist you can listen to while assembling the houses. Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole MILK powder, cocoa mass, emulsifier (SOYA lecithin), natural vanilla flavouring), dark chocolate (cocoa mass sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (SOYA lecithin)), white chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole MILK powder, emulsifier (SOYA lecithin), natural vanilla flavouring), salted caramel (glucose syrup, sweetened condensed skimmed MILK, palm kernel oil & palm oil (from a sustainable source), sea salt, emulsifier (mono and diglycerides of fatty acids)), sugar, biscuit spread (caramelised biscuits (WHEAT flour, sugar, vegetable oils (palm (from a sustainable source), rapeseed), candy sugar syrup, raising agent (sodium hydrogen carbonate), SOYA flour, salt, cinnamon), rapeseed oil, sugar, emulsifier (SOYA lecithin), acid (citric acid)), caramel sauce (glucose syrup, sweetened condensed skimmed MILK, vegetable fat (coconut), emulsifier (mono and diglycerides of fatty acids), salt, natural flavourings), vegetable fats (sunflower, olive,( Barley,Hazelnuts,Milk,Soya,Wheat ), rapeseed), Skimmed Milk Powder, Hazelnuts, fat reduced cocoa powder, hazelnut praline paste (hazelnuts, sugar, emulsifier (Soya lecithin)), fine crumbled biscuit (Wheat flour, sugar, vegetable fat (sunflower, rapeseed), anhydrous milk fat, milk, sugar, milk proteins, salt, malt extract (barley), raising agent (sodium bicarbonate), emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), antioxidants (natural tocopherol rich extract)), caramelised biscuit crumble (wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oils (palm (from a sustainable source), rapeseed), candy sugar syrup, raising agent (sodium hydrogen carbonate), soya flour, salt, cinnamon), icing sugar, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, cocoa powder alkalised, dextrose, cocoa butter, strawberry, conserve (sugar, strawberries, gelling agent (citrus pectin), acidity regulator (citric acid)), emulsifier (sunflower lecithin, lecithin), natural flavourings, natural vanilla flavouring with other natural flavours, madagascan vanilla seeds, edible gold leaf( Barley,Hazelnuts,Milk,Soya,Wheat ) The Charbonnel et Walker Christmas Advent Calendar is filled with a signature selection of our much loved Fine Milk and Dark Chocolates and Truffles. The countdown to Christmas is showcased in spectacular style, open a drawer each day to reveal a delicious chocolate treat, crafted by one of Britain’s much cherished chocolatiers.Milk chocolate (35%) (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithin), Natural Vanilla Flavouring), White Chocolate (20.5%) (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole MILK Powder, Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithin), Natural Vanilla Flavouring), Dark Chocolate (10.5%) (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithin)), Caramelised Biscuit Spread ( Wheat Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil), Candy Sugar Syrup, Raising Agent (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate), Soya Flour, Salt, Cinnamon), Rapeseed Oil, Sugar, Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithin), Acid (Citric Acid)), Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed, Olive, Palm Fernel Oil & Palm Oil), Skimmed Soya Powder, Sweetened Condensed Skimmed Milk, Whole Milk Powder, Icing Sugar, Cocoa Powder Alkalized, Cocoa Butter, Sea Salt, Natural Flavourings, Wheat Flour (with Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Emulsifiers (Lecithin, Mono-& Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Colours (Beetroot Red, Iron Oxide), Strawberries, Peppermint Oil, Vanilla Seeds, Reduced Fat Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate), Salt, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Gelling Agent (Citrus Pectin). ( Allergens: Milk, Soya, Wheat) Mark the days until the 25th with a clear conscience with this ethical calendar that’s not short on flavour. The huge primary-coloured calendar opens like a book and has 24 doors concealing 10 different flavours of Tony’s Chocolonely Fairtrade milk, dark and white chocolate in rainbow wrappers. These range from raspberry popping candy to pretzel toffee but we were smitten by the milk chocolate with almond, honey and nougat.

Full to the brim with 24 irresistible Rituals treasures, this beautiful advent calendar has to be one of the most extravagant we've seen. Complete with string lights, you can decorate this advent calendar like a little Christmas tree. It was 1875 when Mrs Walker and Madame Charbonnel opened their first chocolate boutique on London’s exclusive Bond Street. Avenue Montaigne, Dior's iconic Parisian boutique, is depicted surrounded by a magic garden on the latest edition of the brand's beauty advent calendar (pictured top). Miss Dior, J’adore and Sauvage are among the signature perfume lines featured, with 24 mini samples populating the calendar. A selection of make-up and skincare products are also presented in this picturesque, accordion-like gift. The idea of starting the festive month with a treat to open up each morning is a great idea - but what about those who don't like chocolate? Even for those who do, eating something sweet that early in the morning may not be ideal.With the days darkening earlier and the temperature rapidly dropping, the winter season is the perfect time for a spot of indulgence. How about beginning each morning with a moment of bliss? The creation of master chocolatier, Charbbonel et Walker, each drawer of this advent calendar is filled with a scrumptious chocolate truffle, waiting to be discovered – and savoured – as you count down the days to everyone’s favourite time of year. Expect greatness when Net-A-Porter put together a beauty advent calendar. Inside you'll find 12 full-size and 13 travel-size treats. September sees the release of the highly anticipated 24-day advent calendar by Dr. Barbara Sturm. Inside the rather stylish white box you can expect 24 treatments, from cleansers, toners, creams, hyaluronic and niacinamide serums alongside clarifying and glow evoking face masks. It's the full skincare works, making it the perfect gift for any skincare obsessive.