Is anyone else bored of the same old boring snoring chocolate advent calendars?

Last year I bought BB and Little B chocolate advent calendars with their favourite characters on the front only to find exactly the same chocolates behind exactly the same door in each of them. And where’s the fun in that?

This year I’ve decided to go for something a bit different and opt for non-chocolate advent calendars instead. I don’t mean picture ones, I mean ones that offer something longer lasting than a bit of cheap chocolate.

I’ve done a bit of research (you can thank me later) and come up with a list of what I think are the best non-chocolate advent calendars for kids. And then I did a little more research and came up with a list of the best non-chocolate advent calendars for grown-ups too.

The best non-chocolate advent calendars for kids

Playmobil 123 Christmas on the Farm Advent Calendar | £19.99 | www.playmobil.co.uk

Designed for ages 18 months and up and new for 2017 is Playmobil’s 123 Christmas on the Farm advent calendar. Behind each door comes a friendly farm animal along with Santa and a bag of presents for his sleigh. Playmobil is a top manufacturer within preschool toys and as well as this calendar for preschoolers there are also five others for older children to choose from. Almost £20 for an advent calendar might sound pricey, but they’ll get toys they can play with all year round and if you buy one the second is half price.

Despicable Me Advent Calendar | £10 | www.jdwilliams.co.uk

I don’t know about you but the Minions have been a regular feature in our house throughout the year. This Despicable Me advent calendar features all the Minion characters and comes with 25 doors filled with mini erasers, sticker sheets and stampers.

Accessorize Magic Castle Advent Calendar | £7 (was £10) | www.accessorize.com

This Magic Castle advent calendar from Accessorize might be aimed at little girls but I want one! Filled with a mix of rings and stick on earrings it was £10 but it’s now on offer for £7, which basically makes it a bargain!

Smiggle Advent Calendar | £25 | www.smiggle.co.uk

It’s our favourite stationery shop and it now does an advent calendar. Smiggle’s offering costs £25 but comes with £40 worth of products inside, including limited edition surprises you won’t find in the shop. There’s also the chance to find one of 25 golden tickets bagging you a £500 Smiggle shopping spree.

Giant Fabric Christmas Tree Advent Calendar | £12.99 | www.borngifted.co.uk

I know I hate crafting BUT this do-it-yourself advent calendar from Born Gifted comes with 24 pockets you can fill yourself. It’s super easy because the calendar itself is already made for you – all you have to do is fill the pockets – and you can tailor the gifts to suit each member of the family. I’m thinking miniature gin for me and miniature whisky for Misery Guts.

And for the grown-ups…

The Big Chilli Advent Calendar | £35 | www.souschef.co.uk

Boasting 24 different chillies from all around the world including the Mexican Pasilla and the Smoky Chipotle this advent calendar comes with a recipe book featuring 24 separate recipes for each day of advent. Think Mexican scrambled eggs for brunch and ‘liquid fire’ vodka Bloody Mary’s. This one is right up Misery Guts’s street – and anyone who loves chillis and Bloody Mary’s.

Mad Beauty Advent Calendar | £16.99 | www.findmeagift.co.uk

Who needs chocolate when you can get lipstick, lip gloss, nail polish and eye shadow? The Mad Beauty advent calendar comes with one handbag-size beauty gift for each day of advent. As well as make-up you’ll get a nail file, nail stickers and brushes too.

The Snaffling Pig Co Merry Piggin’ Christmas Advent Calendar | £17.50 | www.snafflingpig.co.uk

We love pork scratchings in our house (it’s our nibble of choice for our weekly family treat night!) and this advent calendar from The Snaffling Pig Co comes with a mini bag of pork crackling behind each door. There are six different flavours including Marvelous Maple and Pigs in Blankets – perfect if you’re pork scratching fans like us!

Are you a fan of non-chocolate advent calendars? Do any of these catch your eye and are there any others you can recommend? I’d love to hear what they are!

We were sent the Playmobil, Giant Fabric Christmas Tree, Big Chilli, Mad Beauty and Snaffling Pig Co advent calendars free of charge in exchange for this review. I know, that’s A LOT of advent calendars! As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.

Linking up with these fabulous blogs!