12 best non chocolate advent calendars for 2023 to nab while they're still in stock

Release date: Available now | Reusable: No | Worth: £921

What you get: A huge mixture of 31 products - with 16 full sized - from some of the best brands in luxurious beauty, like NEOM, Charlotte Tilbury, Elemis, L'OCCITANE, Sunday Riley, Nar and more. And, behind door 25, 10 lucky customers could win a John Lewis £500 gift voucher.

What was it like?: "So many great items in this, I got it last year too. Some days you have multiple small products, others it s a full size product." Mum-of-one, Steph tells us. "It really is great quality and I repurposed it for my sister the next year."

Would I buy again?: "Yes." Mum, Steph tells us. "I find new things that I buy later in the year, and anything I don't like I re-gift. It really is the best advent calendar - a real treat to myself - I think it's worth every penny."

Release date: Pre-order now | Reusable: No| Worth: n/a

What you get: A range of 25 products, not just perfumes though they are in there, in mini bottles, not small glass vials. You will also find lip balms, face masks, aftershave, shampoo & conditioner, lip liners and more.

What was it like?: While we haven't been able to review this fragrance advent calendar, we chose it as it offers a chance to try perfumes you might like to without spending first. Plus we do know that the minis on offer range form 5ml - 10ml and they are some of the most popular perfumes like Marc Jacobs Daisy, Calvin Klein, YSL, and Paco Rabanne. 

Would I buy again?: To take a look a bit closer at what's available in this take a look at this YouTube video showing all items.

Release date: Available now | Reusable: Yes| Worth: £179

What you get: A mix of 16 full sized products and minis. Suitable for Vegans. Featuring products such as WILD, Tisserand, Weleda, Faith In Nature, Q&A and Dr Organic.

What was it like?: "Great value for money, behind the 25 doors are lots of full-size products, such as the Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion, the Q+A Vitamin C Eye Cream and Sukin Brightening Radiance Cleanser." Ellie, tells us.

Would I buy again?: "Yes." Ellie tell us; "The hair mask was amazing. So, whether it’s face, hair, lip or hand products you’re after. But I won’t give too much away - the only advice I have is to make sure you get your hands on it before it sells out!"

Release date: Available now | Reusable: No| Worth: Over £355

What you get: Neom candle, Elemis cleansing balm, Clarins lip perfector and more, including three fragrances including Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid EDP, Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Parfum d'Intérieur and Bath & Body Works A Thousand Wishes Travel Size Fine Fragrance Mist.

What was it like?: This advent calendar is jam-packed full of crowd-pleasers from a range of big-name bands. Plus it's a great way to test out some new products before you commit to buying full-sized versions. 

Would I buy again?: In terms of value for money, this one is well worth buying, and can serve as a great introduction to some new brands!

Release date: available now | Reusable: No | Worth: £36

What do you get?: Featuring some of the brand's top-rated Eau de Parfums - including Today Eau de Parfum 10ml, Attraction for Her Eau de Parfum 10ml, Far Away Eau de Parfum 10ml, Far Away Beyond Parfum 10ml, Eve Alluring Eau de Parfum 10ml and Little Black Dress Eau de Parfum 10ml

What was it like?: Avon scents are often dupes for designer fragrances, so the fact that this advent calendar includes multiple perfumes to try for less than £30 makes it a real winner in our book.

Would I buy it again?: Yes - great as a gift for a loved one or yourself, you're sure to love the scents included and the price tag!

Release date: available now | Reusable: No | Worth: £262 (costs £135)

What do you get? This 24 day beauty advent calendar contains the brand's iconic Beauty Flash Balm and the influencer fave Lip Comfort Oil, as well as a host of other goodies including skin care, body care and fragrance.

What was it like? This is the advent calendar of a beauty lover's dreams and is suitable for all skin types, so it's a safe bet if you're planning on giving it as a gift. 

Would I buy it again? It's an investment, but great value for money considering the range and number of cult classics included. 

Release date: Available now | Reusable: Yes| Worth: £1020

What you get: 25 drawers, each filled with deliciousness, with door 24 a rose quarter bottle of Champagne - true indulgence this festive period. 

What was it like?: We haven't reviewed this product, but included it as Fortnum & Masons is a go-to for sheer indulgence, and this does not disappoint, from the flamboyant design of the calendar to the delectable goodies inside. From Christmas tea, to mini fig preserve cognac butter and classic mint humbugs - everyday is tasty.

Would I buy again?: "I love the Fortnum & Masons picnic hampers, and like to treat my family to them occasionally, treating myself to this brilliant advent calendar is on my list this year." Says Steph, mum-of-one.

Release date: Available now | Reusable: No| Worth: N/A

What you get: A choice between regular or caffeine-free tea, and  48 cups of luxury tea to see you through the festive season - with two teabags to enjoy each day.

What was it like?: We currently have this tea advent calendar out with our writer Jayne for a full-blown test and review - if you listen carefully you can probably hear her kettle whistling in the distance, ready for her to choose her cuppa.

Would I buy again?: We'll be right back with the answer to this - though we think it will be yes because Bird&Blend are high-quality brews.

Release date: Available now | Reusable: Yes (the jars are) | Worth: N/A

What you get: 23 mini 30g glass pots of jam - so about two tablespoon's worth - filled with unique flavours such as Mirabelle Plum with Linden Blossom Spread of Grapefruit and Dragon Fruit spread.

What was it like?:  Goodto's former editor Sophie Bird reviewed this one and says: “ I was expecting classic jam flavours such as good ol’ strawberry or apricot at a push. Instead, I was met with a huge variety of less common flavours such as nectarine, pineapple and ginger, or fig with cardamon."

Would I buy again?:  Sophie adds: "Yes, I would. I also love that if you don’t fancy jam one day, you can still save the little jar for another time so there’s no waste."

Release date: Available now | Reusable: Yes | Worth: N/A

What you get: 25 days of Smiggle stationery surprises. From fidget toy to candy can pens and sweet-scented highlighters and glitter glue. There was so much tucked into this.

What was it like?: "I was seriously impressed with this." Mum-of-one, Maria tells us. "My daughter Mia is obsessed with Smiggle and this did not disappoint, she loved the rainbow lanyard, fidget toys and 'spy pen' the most. Though be warned, as there are a few scented items, it can be a bit overpowering."

Would I buy again?: "Yes, in a heartbeat. I know it's not cheap at £35, but my daughter literally squealed with delight each morning and will use everything in it for the rest of the year."

Age suitability: 6+ | Type: Toy | Reusable: No

 What you get: 24 Pokemon Christmas-themed characters. 16 actual figures and eight accessories. 

What was it like?: Mum-of-three Jenni says; "My daughter is obsessed with Pokemon. I was disappointed there was no Christmas day and felt a little cheated that they weren't ALL figures - one of the days there were just stickers. But other than that, I was happy it wasn't chocolate every day."

What the kids say: "I love the glittery look to them," Daisy, nine, tells us. "None of my other Pokemon figures are glittery so they were great to add to my collection."

Would I buy again? "Probably not, Daisy loved it, but if I'm honest the days with stickers and cardboard Christmas trees let it down for me," says Jenni.

Age suitability: 7+ | Type: Toy | Reusable: No

What you get: Six Harry Potter mini figures and 18 mini builds that capture the magic of Hogsmeade

What was it like?: This one technically hasn't landed yet, but it's one we're super excited about and we're sure LEGO and Harry Potter fans will love it. Its got 227 pieces, that will fit seamlessly with any other LEGO Harry Potter sets the kiddies may have. It also includes the first-ever Aberforth Dumbledore minifigure

What the kids say: Ella, 8, who has had a LEGO advent calendar before says "I love my LEGO advent calendar. It's so fun to open up every day and it's always a surprise what you get."