Last updated on 17 Nov 2023.
I remember the patience I had to exercise as a kid when we would get our very own advent calendars. One chocolate a day is tough when you are building up to Christmas. The best part was opening the little door and getting a treat. Well, things have come a long way since chocolate advent calendars. Here are the best chocolate, beauty, grown-up, toy and even furkid advent calendars you can get in South Africa!
🍹Grown-up advent calendars (think liquor & coffee)
💰Ultra-lux feeling VERY festive advent calendars
🍫The best chocolate advent calendars
What would the festive season be without chocolate? Here are some delicious chocolate advent calendars to keep you going until Christmas. (Alternatively, buy yourself 24 of your favourite chocolates and eat one every day – the calories won’t count. Obviously.)
Chuckles advent calendar, Woolworths, R89.99.
Fantastical advent calendar, Woolworths, R89.99.
Chocolate advent calendar, Clicks, R39.99.
Nothing beats Lindt (except maybe Reeses but that’s imported and pricey). Start your countdown to Christmas with a delicious Lindt choccie. Nom, nom, nom.
Lindt assorted advent calendar, Clicks, R205.
Lindt Bear Sleigh advent calendar, Lindt, R319.19.
Lindt Lindor advent calendar, Lindt, R99.99 (was R129.95).
🧸The best toy advent calendars
There is a Lego Harry Potter advent calendar. I repeat, there is a Lego Harry Potter advent calendar.
I bought one two years ago and it was pretty cool. It really is fun opening stuff up while waiting for Christmas. Although at R600 I am not sure if I will do this again ALTHOUGH last year’s one had a nice selection of characters and places like the Knight’s Bus. I don’t want to brag or anything (Ok, I am totally bragging) but I have the big Lego version of it as well.
The Lego Harry Potter advent calendar, Takealot, 669.
Lego Star Wars, Takealot, R789.
There is no Baby Yoda this year. That is all.
Lego City advent calendar, ToyKingdom, R479.90.
Playmobil Christmas Toy Shop advent calendar, Young At Heart Toys, R619.
💄The best beauty advent calendars
I’m not much of a beauty product fundi, but here are some beauty advent calendars that I thought were quite cool. Some are reasonably priced, while others could count as a gift all on their own.
Essence advent calendar, Superbalist, R650.
Clarins 12 day advent calendar, Clarins.co.za, R900 (was R1200).
They also have a 24 day advent calendar for R2025 (was R2700).
Oh So Heavenly Unicorn Wishes, Clicks, R120.
Princess advent calendar, Cardies, R680.
Soil essential oil advent calendar, Faithful to Nature, R319.99.
The Soil advent calendar consists of 24 windows containing a hand-picked combination of essential oils, massage oils and carrier oils.
Cultivars of Love advent calendar, L’occitane, R1300.
They also have premium and eco-conscious advent calendars.
The Body Shop advent calendars, The Body Shop, R1250, R2100 and R3150.
The MAC and Bobbi Brown advent calendars had sold out by the time of publishing.
The best advent calendars for your furkid
It was only a matter of time and that time is now. Celebrate Christmas early this year by getting your furkid involved. Each day has a new delicious treat your pet will love. Also, I may or may not have bought two of these for my furkid nieces. And now that I have my own dog furkids, I will definitely be getting them each one. Side note: I also ordered customised Christmas baubles with their names on them.
Cuthbert’s advent calendar, Pet Heaven, R70.
Probono advent calendar, PetPlus, R110.
Dog countdown advent calendar, Woolworths, R99.99.
🍹The best advent calendars for grown-ups
December is the silly season and if you need some help celebrating, welcome to the world of alcohol and coffee advent calendars.
Start off the holiday season in style. This is a great one to share with friends. Just add tonic (you can use craft tonic, but good old Schweppes will work just as well).
Gin advent calendar, The Gin Box, R1399.
Beer advent calendar, Spillhaus, R499 (was R650).
24 Sugarbird Gin advent calendar, Mother City Liquor, R599.99.
Bosch tool advent calendar, Builder’s Warehouse, R699.
Typo stationery advent calendar, Typo, R499.99.
Nespresso advent calendar, Nespresso, R599.99
📚The best book advent calendars
I only realised children’s book advent calendars were a thing when I was buying Christmas books for a friend’s daughter. I really wish they had these for grown-ups. And if you’re down with the kids, you’ll know Bluey is a big deal. Readers Warehouse currently has a great selection of book advent calendars and a few of them are on sale.
Bluey advent calendar, Readers Warehouse, R340 (was R415).
Cocomelon book advent calendar, Readers Warehouse, R399.
Usbourne book advent calendar, Readers Warehouse, R399 (was R560).
Disney book advent calendar, Readers Warehouse, R399 (was R489).
💰If you are feeling VERY festive then give some of these ultra-lux advent calendars a try
Dior advent calendar, Dior, R13100.
Jo Malone advent calendar, Jo Malone, R8250.
Disney Swarovski advent calendar, Swarovski, R23000.
MAC advent calendar, MAC, R5500 (sold out).
Disclaimer: All prices correct at time of writing.
