Advent Calendars Are Getting *Really* Creative: Here Are 9 To Shop This Holiday 

Advent calendars have undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, transcending the traditional chocolate-filled designs. Today, you can find calendars packed with surprises, from socks and puzzles, to hot sauce, wine, and more. Explore these nine distinctive countdown calendars that promise to add an extra layer of excitement to your holiday season! —Christina Armanious

Grape Witches – Canada’s First Natural Wine Advent Calendar ($550-$750): Available in four variations, each with a distinct price and flavour profile, these calendars unveil 12 exclusive, expertly-chosen bottles of natural wine. As an added bonus, each calendar includes a box of chocolates and entertaining tasting notes so you can eat, drink, and be merry! 

Denver Hayes – Women’s 12 Pack Advent Calendar Socks ($32): Step into the holiday spirit with a dozen festive socks—one for each day of Christmas! These comfortable crew-length socks guarantee ultimate coziness and come with odour protection for all-day freshness. Plus, reinforced heel and toe support ensure durability for wintery seasons to come.

Charmed Aroma – 12 Days of Surprise Jewellery (valued at $250 but retailing for $60): Charmed Aroma is celebrated for seamlessly integrating hidden surprise jewellery into each of their products. Now, with their advent calendar, you can relish the same excitement of discovering 12 of their top-selling pieces as you count down to Christmas. What adds to the excitement is that no two calendars are alike, making each unboxing a unique experience!

Galison – 12 Days of Christmas Jigsaw Puzzles Calendar ($29): This interactive advent calendar, complete with twelve 80-piece puzzles adorned with enchanting winter illustrations, is the perfect way to capture the spirit of the holiday season with your friends and family! After completing the puzzles, you can either turn them into decor by exhibiting them in tabletop display cases or glueing and framing them, or you can disassemble and recreate them next December! 

Chilli Lovers – Hot Sauce Advent Calendar ($135): For those who prefer a fiery twist to the traditional, this intensely spicy hot sauce countdown calendar delivers 12 bold flavours, each weighing 20 grams. From the sizzling kick of cayenne pepper to the intense heat of scorpion and the classic flair of Tabasco sauce, you can pair these flavours with your favourite comfort foods and savour the thrill of each day’s spicy surprise!

OPI – Holiday ’23 Nail Lacquer Mini 25-Piece Advent Calendar ($80): We know how important holiday glam is this time of year, and OPI wants to make sure you’re decked out with their 25-piece nail polish advent calendar. The set includes 14 different festive nail lacquer shades, nine signature shades, one top coat, and one start-to-finish, three-in-one treatment. 

VOLUSPA – 12 Day Candle Advent Calendar ($105): Make your home merry and bright this December with Voluspa’s best-selling candles celebrating the 12 days of Christmas! Uncover signature scents like White Cypress, Sparkling Cuvée, Goji & Tarocco, and others, elegantly nestled within charming peek-a-boo pouches.

DAVIDsTEA – 24 Trips with Tea Advent Calendar ($55): Indulge in the festive season with DAVIDsTEA’s reminder that a cup of cheer is all you need. This calendar offers a delectable assortment of their best-selling teas and holiday-inspired blends, ranging from soothing chamomile to the refreshing taste of candy cane peppermint. If you want to spice things up a little, you can experiment with making tea lattes using blends that pair well with milk, such as lavender earl grey, turmeric chai tea, and more. With a bountiful supply of 48 servings, you’ll be well-equipped for a flavourful December! 

Kanel – Arrivals Advent Calendar ($68): If you’re in search of culinary inspiration for the holidays––whether it’s for your own enjoyment or a festive gathering––the Kanel advent calendar is the perfect partner. With 12 salts and spices, packaged in glass and cork jars, along with a handy seasoning spoon and suggested recipe pairings, it’s designed to fuel your culinary creativity!