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Good Housekeeping published a roundup of 18 Advent calendar alternatives to chocolate, covering food and drink, beauty, books, crafts and family activities. The selection includes both 12- and 24-day options, but prices, availability and suitability can vary by product.
Good Housekeeping has rounded up 18 Advent calendars that replace the usual daily chocolate with items including tea, candles, beauty products, books, honey and toys. The list offers shoppers a range of formats and interests, from 12-day gift sets to calendars with 24 daily surprises and one crochet option featuring 25 patterns.
The roundup spans consumable gifts and activities. Food and drink selections include a tea calendar with 12 flavors and two bags per flavor, a coffee calendar with one bag for each day, a Bonne Maman set with 24 small jars of jam, and a honey collection featuring different varietals and related items. The report says the honey calendar also includes information about honey production.
Beauty and personal-care options include 12 mini Voluspa candles, 12 OPI nail polishes created in partnership with M&M’s, a 12-count ChapStick set, and an e.l.f. calendar with 24 surprises, including 18 full-size items. A beard-care calendar contains 24 different beard-oil scents. Good Housekeeping says each Voluspa candle is 2.5 ounces and is expected to burn for about 25 hours, attributing that estimate to the brand.
Other picks include 24 pairs of festive socks, 24 miniature classic books that can be hung on a tree, and a Friends-themed calendar with 40 trinkets and surprises. For children, the roundup lists 24 rubber ducks and a magnetic tree with ornaments to add during the countdown. It also includes 24-day crystal and crochet calendars, the latter offering 25 patterns, plus reusable countdown blocks. Some products have shorter countdowns, so the selection does not follow one standard format.
More Ways to Count Down to Christmas
The roundup reflects how an Advent calendar can be tailored to a recipient’s interests rather than limited to sweets. A reader looking for daily-use products could choose tea, lip balm or coffee; someone who prefers a lasting keepsake might choose miniature books, ornaments or countdown blocks. Craft and activity calendars offer a different kind of daily surprise, while consumable sets may be shared or used up.
The variety also makes the practical details matter. Calendar length ranges from 12 to 25 days, and the contents vary from small treats to full-size beauty products or reusable toys. Shoppers should check the current product listing for price, availability, exact contents and delivery timing, which can change and are not fully established by the supplied report.
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A Range of Calendar Formats
Advent calendars traditionally mark the days leading up to Christmas, but the products in this roundup use different countdown lengths and designs. Several contain 12 items, while others offer 24; the crochet set provides 25 patterns. The report describes these as alternatives to chocolate, though some are still food or drink gifts, including jam, honey, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.
Good Housekeeping also notes that themed calendars are available beyond the specific examples listed. Its Friends selection is presented alongside similar options tied to franchises such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Home Alone and Marvel. The roundup is a product list, not an independent test of every item, and its descriptions should be read as editorial selection information rather than a guarantee of stock or performance.
“Each one should have a burn time of about 25 hours, per Voluspa.”
— Good Housekeeping, on the Voluspa calendar
Prices and Stock May Change
The supplied report does not provide a publication date, and current prices and availability are not confirmed. Product listings may change, including seasonal stock, discounts and the exact contents of a particular edition. The source also does not provide a consistent comparison of product quality, value or shipping timelines.
Some selections have specific considerations: alcohol calendars are intended for adults of legal drinking age, and buyers should check the product details before purchasing. The report does not specify dietary or allergen information for food calendars, so shoppers with allergies or other dietary needs should review packaging and manufacturer information.
Check Listings Before Buying
Readers interested in a particular calendar can use the roundup as a starting point, then check the seller’s current listing for stock, price, shipping dates and item counts. That is especially relevant for seasonal products and the calendars the report describes as popular or subject to sellouts.
Before choosing, compare the countdown length with the intended recipient’s preferences and check age guidance, ingredients or other product-specific details. The source does not announce a follow-up or provide a timetable for updated availability information.
Key Questions
How many Advent calendars are in the roundup?
Good Housekeeping lists 18 calendars featuring products and activities other than a standard chocolate countdown.
What kinds of calendars are included?
The selection includes tea, coffee, candles, beauty products, jam, honey, books, socks, toys, crafts and themed collectibles, as well as reusable countdown blocks.
Do all of the calendars have 24 days?
No. The report includes 12-day calendars, several 24-day options and a crochet calendar with 25 patterns. Check each listing for its countdown length and contents.
Are prices and availability confirmed?
No current price or stock information is established by the supplied report. Seasonal listings and discounts can change, so check the seller’s page before ordering.
What should shoppers check before buying a food or drink calendar?
Review the product’s ingredients, allergen information and age guidance. Any alcohol calendar is for adults of legal drinking age; drink responsibly.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
