Christmastime, mistletoe and… er, advent calendars?
Okay, so it’s not quite the way Sir Cliff sings it, but you can’t deny that these days, advent calendars are a must-have for any festive celebration.
Designed as a selection of taster gifts to rev up Christmas excitement, they may have started off as souped-up boxes of choccies but have evolved to become compilations of small trinkets and gifts grouped according to theme.
Love whisky? There’s an advent for that. Got a thing for gin? Gin-gle all the way to December 25. Love LEGO more than life itself? Well, you get the picture.
While beauty advent calendars have dominated most-wanted lists for a while now, boxes aimed at men have been somewhat lacking. Luckily that’s all changing as brands and retailers wake up to the fact that men also want the childlike thrill of tearing open a new window every December morning to discover a treat nestled within.
This year there’s plenty on offer, from booze-filled boxes packed with whisky, gin and beer to selections of the finest grooming products that’ll have him waking up before his morning alarm.
While we baulk at the notion of gender-specific advent calendars on the whole, there are some things that men are just more likely to want - say, a calendar filled with luxury beard oil, for example.
Menfolk of Britain, we have not forgotten you. Find inspiration in our edit, or leave this tab open as a not-so-subtle hint to the present-giver in your life.
Shop the best advent calendars for men below
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Harry’s Christmas Cracker Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: over £160
Beloved by well-groomed gents across the country, Harry’s is known for its no-nonsense approach to shaving, skin and hair care. The formulas are effective, luxurious yet affordable - and they’re packaged up in advent form this Christmas. In fact, the label has gotten creative by stuffing a giant Christmas cracker with its grooming heroes that opens to show 24 doors containing the likes of premium razors and more shower essentials. The brand is also donating £10,000 to Shout, a charity supporting those struggling with their mental health over the festive period.
Buy now £99.00, Harry’s
LOOKFANTASTIC Grooming Advent Calendar
It’s back and it’s more beautiful than ever. Boys looking to clean up their grooming act this Christmas can find help in Lookfantastic’s handsomely decorated 2023 calendar. The 25-product line-up stars some of the best of the beauty hall: think Elemis, Grown Alchemist, Aromatherapy Associates, Philip Kingsley and more.
Available from October 6.
Buy now £80.00, Lookfantastic
Beavertown Craft Beer Advent Calendar
If traditional advents aren’t really your cup of tea, welcome to a whole new way to appreciate a brew this December. Craft beer specialist Beavertown has gone all out with its 2023 advent calendar, featuring a 24-can line-up of old favourites, special festive editions and a few mystery cans to keep you on your toes. You’ll also find a special Christmas-edition tumbler and something for the tree hidden inside the acid-bright box. Pre-order now for dispatches from November.
Buy now £69.00, Beavertown
Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar
Uncover a world of G&T miniatures to round off each December day until the biggie. Fever-Tree has paired its tonic flavours with popular gin producers so you can try something different to your usual mix. Feel like having a day off? Why not save the pairings for the journey home, or use to fill out adult stockings?
Buy now £65.00, Ocado
Single Malts of Scotland Advent Calendar
The story of Scotland’s whisky-making history is rich and colourful, so what better way to delve into it than with this whisky-packed advent, packaged in a bookish box? From light to densely peated, there are 25 x 30ml samples to wet your whistle, but all share one thing: they’re single-cask varieties.
Ageing ranges from seven years to 31, from some of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries.
Buy now £225.00, The Whisky Exchange
Sockshop 25 pair Christmas Advent Calendar - men
Socks are always a useful gift, and festive designs add to the joy of the season. Sockshop’s 25-day calendar comes in three designs for men, women and couples to enjoy together. Secured with a pretty ribbon, the box barely needs gift-wrapping but if you decide to go the extra mile, the square shape will make it all the easier.
Buy now £79.99, Sockshop
Craft Gin Club Advent Calendar 2023
Craft Gin Club is back to make 2023’s festive season your merriest yet with its stupendously popular advent calendar featuring a line-up of 25 mini gins. Hailing from master distilleries all over the world as well as the UK, expect classic London Dry as well as seven exclusive gins made just for the brand. Each calendar will even include cocktail recipes - think a ‘Claus-mopolitan’, a ‘Festive Snowball’ and a ‘Sloe Gin Negroni’ - to take your seasonal serves to new heights.
And if you’re looking for new mixers to pair with the latest members of your gin collection, Craft Gin Club is also making a ‘pairing bundle’ of mixers and garnishes to accompany its flagship boozy advent calendar (£39.95 or £37.95 for members).
Pre-orders are open now, with deliveries sent from October and you can pay via Klarna to make the purchase lighter on your wallet.
Buy now £94.95, Craft Gin Club
Star Wars Original Stormtrooper Beer Advent Calendar
If your guy is a beer-loving Star Wars geek, use Christmas as a chance to unite two of his obsessions in one advent calendar. This themed box comes packed with cans of Star Wars-themed IPA beer and ale as well as snacks and a Stormtrooper glass.
Buy now £49.00, Menkind
So Wrong It’s Nom Original Cheese Advent Calendar
Cheese-lovers everywhere will go while for this calendar, which features 24 'chuckles' (that's miniature wheels) of the good stuff. Including varieties like Applewood, Ilchester Apple, Onion and Sage, Mexicana, mature cheddar and more, it's best stored in the fridge ready to eat from December 1.
Available from Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and Ocado from November 10.
£8.00, So Wrong It’s Nom
Johnnie Walker 12 Days of Discovery limited edition calendar
Put a spring in their step this Christmas with Johnnie Walker’s limited edition whisky advent calendar. The handsome yellow and white box opens to reveal a dozen branded miniatures to enjoy in the 12 days before Christmas. Whether they’re new to the world of whisky or just want a journey through Johnnie Walker’s core range, it’s the perfect boozy gift for a fan.
Available now.
Buy now £56.30, Amazon
The Bearded Man Beard Oil Advent Calendar
Keep your face forest looking suitably groomed for the festive season with this beard oil-filled calendar. It holds 24 x 2ml bottles of mini beard oils; enough for you to give them a try before deciding to invest in a full-size bottle. Scents are unexpected; think bay rum, Sicilian lemon, and rainforest.
Buy now £15.00, Menkind
Joe and Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar
For a different sort of sweet treat, look to gourmet popcorn company Joe & Seph’s. The brand has launched a deluxe advent calendar packed with a medley of flavour combos. There are 24 mini packs so you can enjoy a popcorn moment every day until December 25. Dispatched from October 11.
Looking for the vegan option? Find it at Amazon (£35).
Buy now £25.00, Menkind
Virgin Wine Advent Calendar 2023
An advent calendar with a few tweaks, you'll find mini bottles of wine behind each door of Virgin Wines' advent calendar, which beats chocolate in our book. The sizeable box also contains a full-sized bottle, to be enjoyed on the big day. This calendar offers a mix of red and white, but if you prefer one over the other, there are additional wine advent calendars to suit.
Reserve yours for a tenner now, and pay the balance in November before dispatch.
Buy now £79.99, Virgin Wine
Haynes Electronic Games Advent Calendar
Perfect for the young (and young at heart), this calendar reveals components every December day until the 25th until you have everything you need to build 24 different games like Code Breaker, Whack a Mole and Wire Maze. Requires three AA batteries, not included.
Buy now £25.00, MenKind
Halfords Advanced 40pc 1/4" Dr Socket Set Advent Calendar
It’s not all tiny bottles of booze and beauty products. If you’re looking for a practical advent calendar to give to the fix-it person in your life, Halford’s socket-themed box will hit the right notes. There are new pieces to discover every day and by the end, they’ll have collected a toolbox-worth to add to their DIY kit.
Buy now £29.99, Halfords
